CNET Editors' review
This extremely basic but free program helps you avoid repetitive-stress injuries at work by periodically reminding you to take a break. The tiny utility sits in your system tray and pops up a message box or flashes when it's time for you to step away from your computer. You also can set the program to remind you via one of the included sounds or your own WAV files. Although the easily configured interface can't be spruced up with skins or different color schemes, you can at least choose from several different system-tray icons. You simply enter the amount of time before your next break, then press Play. Once the time expires and you begin your break, you can view another timer that tells you how long before you need to get back to work. When you go back to work, the program will automatically begin ticking down to your next break. Though it doesn't do anything particularly special or boast any exciting bonus features, Scirocco Take a Break can be useful to anyone who regulary toils at a computer terminal.
Publisher's Description
From Scirocco:
In today's world, we sit without moving for long hours in front of our computer screens. We hurt our eyes, shoulders, backs, and wrists. A short break every once in a while can reduce repetitive-stress injuries associated with computer usage. This free utility, which rests in the system tray, reminds us when to take a break, and it does so in style.
The installer has been updated to work with Win7 and above.
What's new in this version: Version 2.7
- Adds the ability to activate the screen saver when on break, the choice of a variety of tray icons for more discretion at work and the main modify timer button on the main screen becomes a one-time change modification.
- The installer has been updated to work with Win7 and above.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 31 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 25 votes
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My rating:
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"Perfect usability, saved my health"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
Easy to use. As customizable as you want from a break timer. Can be configured to be unobtrusive. Will save your life (seriously, google "sitting is killing you")
Cons
There isn't a Mac version
Summary
The best of 9 timers I've downloaded and tried.
Without a reminder I would lose track of time and sit for hours in front of computer. I developed shoulder problems because of it. With this program I am able to work 12 hours without problem. It also works great as a Pomodoro timer.
The best way I found to configure is to do task tray balloon and sound notification (instead of the pop-up, which steals window focus and gets annoying). Then I have reminder set to same length as break time (3 minutes for me). I take a break without clicking take a break--I just get up and I can hear the chime when the reminder hits, then I just click the icon and restart time. This minimizes the number of pop-ups and clicks. It's easy and I've stuck to it for the past year.
Can specify count time duration. Can set break duration. Can set reminders duration. Can set number of reminders. Can set sound on/off. Can specify sound (chimes work best for me). Can select from icon for task tray (traffic lights are best--are static during countdown then will flash when time up). Can specify alert--pop up or less obtrusive task tray bubble. Can set to auto start minimized when Windows starts up--or to not.
All this for free! If for whatever reason Take A Break program doesn't work on my next OS, I would pay up to $50 for a similar program (anything more than that and I would write my own). -
"A pleasant to the ear invitation to take a break"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
It is so geniously simple. And it gives me 3 3-minute chances to end the task I am working at. I spend so many hours on the computer and I do not care because I cannot feel that I am suffering from it during the work (but my neck, shoulders and lower back do!) This helps me to do something now for my health later (I have the suspicion that some of my migraine attacks have their origin int cramped muscles in the neck.
PS: you can set the times as you like: I try to take a 10 minute break every hour.Cons
Could not find any. Due to another user's warning I would not remove it from my system - in any case this is for keeping
Summary
Best free-of-charge tool I ever found
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"Ok timer app"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
simple, easy to use
Cons
not extremely flexible
Summary
would be nice to have a few more scheduling features available, but it does what it advertises and is not hard to understand.
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"Simple is all I need. EXCELLENT program!"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
Easy on PC resources; easy to use.
Cons
None at all.
Summary
Set mine to MAKE me take a 10-minute break every 50 minutes and I feel better already. I really hadn't realized how many hours on end I sit in front of my computer. Definite health and mind benefits to getting up and moving via a schedule. Very glad to have found this!
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"it works but cant choose your break times"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
cant choose your break times ! automatically startars down to 1 hour !
Cons
non that i'm awear off
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"Nice design and very user friendly"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
You can adjust work-time, break-time, how you want to be reminded (sound, pop-up, lock of workstation), snooze time and on/off, and you have the option to let it start automatically every time you switch on your computer (so you can't forget)
Cons
No options that I miss, no confusion, no ugly buttons... cant' find any complaints. And all free. Great job! Thanks!
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"A nice, lghtweight timer to remind yo to take a break"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
Simple, timings can be customised
Cons
It's just based on time - not mouseclicks or antyhing
Summary
Good.
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"it's just an alarm clock"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
it's simple, just some timers that go off, no more, but it does the job
Cons
it's simple, just some timers that go off, no extra features, no key-board presses calculations
Summary
it's a simple timer program
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"Terrible! Don't download this app!"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
Simple clock feature, but doesn't have enough features.
Cons
The uninstall process was horrendous! The uninstall deleted the boot.ini file. Had to reinstall WinXP OS which is not the way to spend your week.
Summary
I hope CNET discontinues the availability of this app.
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"excellent simple program for break reminders"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros
I like the fact that it's small, simple, and does exactly what I need. It's handy to be able to set the countdown time, reminder, and break times. Installing and uninstalling is a breeze.
Cons
It was a little confusing at first: hitting the x on the main countdown puts it in the systray, but hitting the x on the break window stops the break and brings up the 'do you want to restart' dialog. But once you know how it works, it's awesome.
Summary
Anyone that wants a simple program to popup and remind them to take a break after a certain period of time working can use this program. If you want something more complicated, this isn't it. My physical therapist (shoulder and neck issues) told me to find something, and I'm glad I found this free program!
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