- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 3.x/95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/NT
- Date added: February 10, 2005
- Total Downloads: 16,773
- Downloads last week: 56
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 23 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
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.
Version 2.7 however the Install/Uninstall has been improved.
What's new in this version:
- 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.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 23 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 17 user reviewsSee all 17 user reviews
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
"Take-a-Break has really helped me"
Pros: Every since I got near sighted I've always wanted to limit my time around computers, but I just couldn't do it. Then I found Scirocco Take a Break, which tells me to rest every hour. It helped me rest my eyes and body.
Cons: 1. The icon only is suitable for the icon tray.
2. If you decide to take a short break (say 2 minutes) after 30 minutes passed, and finish the other 30 minutes after the break, you can only pause the timer to do that, but then you may not remember to start it again.
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
Pros: It sits quietly at the taskbar, highly customisable, it stays at the top of your desktop every time you pause or stop the timer so you don't forget.
My posture is far from perfect so this really helps my lower back a lot.
Cons: I like it too much that I want to take it with me everywhere! It would be nice to have a portable version for my flash drive for when I'm working on another computer.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
"should be mandatory for all workplaces"
Pros: easy to use. great idea. unobtrusive alarm notifications. small download. no spyware/ viruses. protects my body and sanity from the horror of a desk job :-)
All employers should tell their employees about this!
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Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
"It's just what I needed!!!!!"
Pros: It's easy to program; I can turn it off or on as I need to -- I can set it for a short or long time -- It's exactly what I wanted and needed.
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Version: Scirocco Take a Break 2.7
"Can't install, company not available"
Cons: It's true - there is no uninstall for this software. And the company seems to be located nowhere on line. Download.com ought to seriously consider deleting this from their site.
- See all 17 user reviews Write review
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