B
BillR
I think we should have a "Health - Break Reminder" or similar category
and consider one or two of the following (or similar) for
pricelessware nomination.
I have compiled _preliminary_ information on tools to help prevent
repetitive strain injuries (RSI). One of my personal motivations is
easily guessed. I strongly suggest you implement one of these tools
even if you have no current problems or symptoms.
Additions?
WorkRave
Break Reminder
PauseMe
PastTense
RSI Break for Windows
OosTime
RSI-rest
RSIMon
RSI-Mon
Non-Windows Only (Just FYI)
Dr Wright
Typewatch
XWrits
Restie
Did I say "stongly"? And "quite preferably well before"?
-------------------------
http://www.workrave.org/features/
This page compares 6 applications (5 free)
WorkRave
Dr Wright [no MS Windows]
OosTime
XWrits [no MS Windows]
GNU/Emacs type-break-mode
http://www.workrave.org
http://www.workrave.org/features/
http://www.workrave.org/download/
http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/workrave/
WorkRave supports micro-pauses, rest breaks, daily limits, and
exercises
-------------------------
http://www.fp.ucalgary.ca/ergonomics/preventative_strategies.htm
A good, brief list of resources (I, IV, V)
http://www.geometry.net/detail/health_conditions/repetitive_strain_injuries.html
An extensive list of resources with information from linked page.
-------------------------
Selected from http://www.spack.org/index.cgi/MicroPauseSoftware
OosTime (Windows) - [See below for more information] Not sure what
the deal is with this.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/library/ITS/netdesk/public/oostime.html
RSI Break (Windows) - [See below for more information] Very simple
Visual Basic program.
http://www.niagara.com/~mcarter/rsibreak.htm
Strech Break (Windows, Mac) - Primarily aimed at kids, teaches how to
strech in front of a computer.
http://www.paratec.com/ (free for kids)
WorkRave (Windows, *nix) - [See below for more information] Haven't
tried it yet. Looks really good.
http://www.workrave.org/
Xwrits - The traditional Unix program. Works well but is ugly and
doesn't support micropauses directly.
http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/
-------------------------
http://www.workrave.org
http://www.workrave.org/features/
http://www.workrave.org/download/
Basic features include micro-pause, rest break, daily limit, and
exercises.
Ostensibly, WORKRAVE is an applet with the simplest of jobs:
it tells you to take a period break from typing to save your
poor wrists. In real life, it's like one of those "let's
build an C++ application" documentation examples gone
completely nuts. From its humble beginnings, it's now an
excrutiatingly well-engineered taskbar applet that runs on
GNOME and KDE. Oh, and Windows. It's got a statistics
feature, so it can tell you how many miles you've moved your
mouse. Yeah, yeah, we know - but it's also got a networked
client-server facility. Built-in. So not only can you now
never escape from its persistent "take a break" fascism, but
you can gather facts on how many miles *all* your mice have
moved, from your laptop to your desktop to your VNCed Win2K
server. It's GPLed. The author has a cafepress shop where
you can buy Workrave t-shirts. There's also a leaflet you
can print out and hand to your non-cult friends. The name
appears to be a play on a $55 commercial program that does a
similiar job - but, Jesus, what else could that do for the
money? Operate a little crane to lift your hands up and down
on the keys?
Source - http://www.ntk.net/index.cgi?b=02003-03-21&l=84#l
-------------------------
Break Reminder
http://www.cheqsoft.com/break.html
This program is available FREE for personal and non-profit use.
Timer based
Multi-user settings
-------------------------
PauseMe
Acarda Technologies
P O Box 1037, Hamilton, New Zealand
64-7-854 5561, Fax: 64-7-854 5562
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.safetyatwork.com
(microbreak software)
Compatibility: Win 95/98/NT
Shareware: Free to Use, US$10 if you want extra features
website: http://www.safetyatwork.com/pauseme.htm)
PauseMe reminds you to take a pause or a microbreak from computer
work. There are three different messages that appear unobtrusively on
your screen - the first two appear for only a few seconds, while the
third stays on your screen for 10 seconds (or a shorter time if you
close it by clicking OK). The third Pause can also be set so it covers
your whole screen, therefore forcing you to take a micro break. You
can set the time intervals for each message to a length of time that
suits you best. PauseMe displays a photo image on the third reminder
message that you can change and add your own image to once you have
registered PauseMe.
The shareware version has timers set so that the third Pause message
appears every 3 minutes. To unlock the timers, the first two Pause
Messages and to be able to add your own images, you will need to
register your copy.
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
-------------------------
PastTense
Anyware Limited (NZ)
http://www.anyware.co.nz/pasttense/
Availability: Direct (Secure online ordering available on website)
Compatibility: Windows 3.x, Windows 95/98/NT
Price: US$9.00 (Evaluation version has most functionality and can be
used as long as you like.
What Is PastTense?
PastTense is a software tool that can help you to reduce the build up
of stress both in general and in specific parts of your body. It can
help you to target problems associated with occupational overuse
syndrome (OOS), aka repetitive strain injury (RSI), before they occur
or (probably for most people reading this) before they get worse.
With PastTense a number of different configuration options can be
defined, each of which contains one or more timers to remind you to
have a rest. Timers can be set to remind you of anything from taking a
short walk around the office every hour to stretching your wrists
every 30 seconds - you define the reminder message.
A number of default configurations are supplied with PasteTense and
these can be customised to suit your individual needs. You can define
up to 10 configurations, each with up to 10 timers. Any one of these
configurations can be selected and used at any time.
PastTense does not force you to have a rest by locking up your PC. It
may not always be convenient to have a rest 'right now' and the main
job of PastTense is to give you reminders based on the rest
frequencies that you define.
You are responsible!
It is important to acknowledge that it is your work and rest habits
that determine how much tension builds up in your body. To be truly
effective, PastTense needs your full commitment to resolving your
problems.
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
-------------------------
RSI Break for Windows
Carter Computer Solutions
Voice/Fax: (905) 934-1413
http://www.niagara.com/~mcarter/rsibreak.htm
Free for personal use
This is a simple program which will interrupt your work at
user-defined intervals so you can take a break from your computer.
This will help you to prevent RSI (repetitive strain injury) which can
take many forms, from headaches, neck pain, and eye strain to
tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
RSI Break is non-intrusive. When your break time comes around, a
window will pop up notifying you, and you simply click on the "OK"
button. When the program is minimized, the icon's caption displays the
current time and date.
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
-------------------------
OosTime
Jonathan Rosanowski
(e-mail address removed)
Freeware
Compatability: Windows
Jonathan has written this freeware program to remind him to take
micro-pauses and rest breaks. Try it out and he says to feel free to
pass it on if you think it has any value.
Here's the new and improved version. This version is much smaller and
includes a number of fixes as outlined in the ReadMe file.
Download OosTimeSetup.exe
http://www.tifaq.com/software/archive/OosTimeSetup.exe
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
For detailed description and screenshots, see:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/library/ITS/netdesk/public/oostime.html
-------------------------
RSI-rest
http://home.planet.nl/~moermans/rsi-rest.htm
(Site excerpts)
RSI-rest to Prevent Repetitive Strain Injury!
(freeware) for windows95+
new version 2.0 last update August 21 2002
RSI-rest allows you 1-30 minutes of typing, then 'forces' a break by
showing a NAG-window. Optianally showing an bmp/jpg-image and/or
playing a mp3/wav-file.
Note: RSI-rest does not count keys/mouseclicks/mouse meters/scrolls,
-------------------------
RSIMon
http://www.gubbins.demon.co.uk/rsimon.html
(Site extract)
Description
The novel feature of RSIMon is that it is pain based. There are a
number of tunable parameters to say how much various actions cause.
For example, I find that dragging is worse than moving the mouse.
Keyboard work causes me very little pain at all. From these facts I
can set up the RSIMon to weight dragging the mouse more heavily than
movement etc. Once a certain 'pain' threshold has been reached, the
dialog pops to the top to remind me to take a break. The 'pain' level
decays and when it reaches zero the dialog goes back to the tray
(unless it was already visible).
In addition it has two settings, for painful days and normal days. All
these settings are stored in the user registry area, so they should
migrate with you (if you have a roaming profile) and should be
separated by user (if you have multiple users set up).
RSIMon is still a work in progress, but it's functional enough for
now!
GNU GPL
-------------------------
RSI-Mon
http://kimihia.org.nz/projects/rsimon/
RSI-Mon changes colour every 15 minutes to remind you to take a short
micropause. Every hour it will change to a
third colour to remind you to have a 15 minute break.
It can be paused and restarted if you wish.
It uses JavaScript to open in a smaller window, and also to make the
window vibrate and attrack attention when a
break is due.
-------------------------
and consider one or two of the following (or similar) for
pricelessware nomination.
I have compiled _preliminary_ information on tools to help prevent
repetitive strain injuries (RSI). One of my personal motivations is
easily guessed. I strongly suggest you implement one of these tools
even if you have no current problems or symptoms.
Additions?
WorkRave
Break Reminder
PauseMe
PastTense
RSI Break for Windows
OosTime
RSI-rest
RSIMon
RSI-Mon
Non-Windows Only (Just FYI)
Dr Wright
Typewatch
XWrits
Restie
Did I say "stongly"? And "quite preferably well before"?
-------------------------
http://www.workrave.org/features/
This page compares 6 applications (5 free)
WorkRave
Dr Wright [no MS Windows]
OosTime
XWrits [no MS Windows]
GNU/Emacs type-break-mode
http://www.workrave.org
http://www.workrave.org/features/
http://www.workrave.org/download/
http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/workrave/
WorkRave supports micro-pauses, rest breaks, daily limits, and
exercises
-------------------------
http://www.fp.ucalgary.ca/ergonomics/preventative_strategies.htm
A good, brief list of resources (I, IV, V)
http://www.geometry.net/detail/health_conditions/repetitive_strain_injuries.html
An extensive list of resources with information from linked page.
-------------------------
Selected from http://www.spack.org/index.cgi/MicroPauseSoftware
OosTime (Windows) - [See below for more information] Not sure what
the deal is with this.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/library/ITS/netdesk/public/oostime.html
RSI Break (Windows) - [See below for more information] Very simple
Visual Basic program.
http://www.niagara.com/~mcarter/rsibreak.htm
Strech Break (Windows, Mac) - Primarily aimed at kids, teaches how to
strech in front of a computer.
http://www.paratec.com/ (free for kids)
WorkRave (Windows, *nix) - [See below for more information] Haven't
tried it yet. Looks really good.
http://www.workrave.org/
Xwrits - The traditional Unix program. Works well but is ugly and
doesn't support micropauses directly.
http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/
-------------------------
http://www.workrave.org
http://www.workrave.org/features/
http://www.workrave.org/download/
Basic features include micro-pause, rest break, daily limit, and
exercises.
Ostensibly, WORKRAVE is an applet with the simplest of jobs:
it tells you to take a period break from typing to save your
poor wrists. In real life, it's like one of those "let's
build an C++ application" documentation examples gone
completely nuts. From its humble beginnings, it's now an
excrutiatingly well-engineered taskbar applet that runs on
GNOME and KDE. Oh, and Windows. It's got a statistics
feature, so it can tell you how many miles you've moved your
mouse. Yeah, yeah, we know - but it's also got a networked
client-server facility. Built-in. So not only can you now
never escape from its persistent "take a break" fascism, but
you can gather facts on how many miles *all* your mice have
moved, from your laptop to your desktop to your VNCed Win2K
server. It's GPLed. The author has a cafepress shop where
you can buy Workrave t-shirts. There's also a leaflet you
can print out and hand to your non-cult friends. The name
appears to be a play on a $55 commercial program that does a
similiar job - but, Jesus, what else could that do for the
money? Operate a little crane to lift your hands up and down
on the keys?
Source - http://www.ntk.net/index.cgi?b=02003-03-21&l=84#l
-------------------------
Break Reminder
http://www.cheqsoft.com/break.html
This program is available FREE for personal and non-profit use.
Timer based
Multi-user settings
-------------------------
PauseMe
Acarda Technologies
P O Box 1037, Hamilton, New Zealand
64-7-854 5561, Fax: 64-7-854 5562
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.safetyatwork.com
(microbreak software)
Compatibility: Win 95/98/NT
Shareware: Free to Use, US$10 if you want extra features
website: http://www.safetyatwork.com/pauseme.htm)
PauseMe reminds you to take a pause or a microbreak from computer
work. There are three different messages that appear unobtrusively on
your screen - the first two appear for only a few seconds, while the
third stays on your screen for 10 seconds (or a shorter time if you
close it by clicking OK). The third Pause can also be set so it covers
your whole screen, therefore forcing you to take a micro break. You
can set the time intervals for each message to a length of time that
suits you best. PauseMe displays a photo image on the third reminder
message that you can change and add your own image to once you have
registered PauseMe.
The shareware version has timers set so that the third Pause message
appears every 3 minutes. To unlock the timers, the first two Pause
Messages and to be able to add your own images, you will need to
register your copy.
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
-------------------------
PastTense
Anyware Limited (NZ)
http://www.anyware.co.nz/pasttense/
Availability: Direct (Secure online ordering available on website)
Compatibility: Windows 3.x, Windows 95/98/NT
Price: US$9.00 (Evaluation version has most functionality and can be
used as long as you like.
What Is PastTense?
PastTense is a software tool that can help you to reduce the build up
of stress both in general and in specific parts of your body. It can
help you to target problems associated with occupational overuse
syndrome (OOS), aka repetitive strain injury (RSI), before they occur
or (probably for most people reading this) before they get worse.
With PastTense a number of different configuration options can be
defined, each of which contains one or more timers to remind you to
have a rest. Timers can be set to remind you of anything from taking a
short walk around the office every hour to stretching your wrists
every 30 seconds - you define the reminder message.
A number of default configurations are supplied with PasteTense and
these can be customised to suit your individual needs. You can define
up to 10 configurations, each with up to 10 timers. Any one of these
configurations can be selected and used at any time.
PastTense does not force you to have a rest by locking up your PC. It
may not always be convenient to have a rest 'right now' and the main
job of PastTense is to give you reminders based on the rest
frequencies that you define.
You are responsible!
It is important to acknowledge that it is your work and rest habits
that determine how much tension builds up in your body. To be truly
effective, PastTense needs your full commitment to resolving your
problems.
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
-------------------------
RSI Break for Windows
Carter Computer Solutions
Voice/Fax: (905) 934-1413
http://www.niagara.com/~mcarter/rsibreak.htm
Free for personal use
This is a simple program which will interrupt your work at
user-defined intervals so you can take a break from your computer.
This will help you to prevent RSI (repetitive strain injury) which can
take many forms, from headaches, neck pain, and eye strain to
tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
RSI Break is non-intrusive. When your break time comes around, a
window will pop up notifying you, and you simply click on the "OK"
button. When the program is minimized, the icon's caption displays the
current time and date.
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
-------------------------
OosTime
Jonathan Rosanowski
(e-mail address removed)
Freeware
Compatability: Windows
Jonathan has written this freeware program to remind him to take
micro-pauses and rest breaks. Try it out and he says to feel free to
pass it on if you think it has any value.
Here's the new and improved version. This version is much smaller and
includes a number of fixes as outlined in the ReadMe file.
Download OosTimeSetup.exe
http://www.tifaq.com/software/archive/OosTimeSetup.exe
(From description at http://www.tifaq.com/software/shareware.html -
old description)
For detailed description and screenshots, see:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/library/ITS/netdesk/public/oostime.html
-------------------------
RSI-rest
http://home.planet.nl/~moermans/rsi-rest.htm
(Site excerpts)
RSI-rest to Prevent Repetitive Strain Injury!
(freeware) for windows95+
new version 2.0 last update August 21 2002
RSI-rest allows you 1-30 minutes of typing, then 'forces' a break by
showing a NAG-window. Optianally showing an bmp/jpg-image and/or
playing a mp3/wav-file.
Note: RSI-rest does not count keys/mouseclicks/mouse meters/scrolls,
-------------------------
RSIMon
http://www.gubbins.demon.co.uk/rsimon.html
(Site extract)
Description
The novel feature of RSIMon is that it is pain based. There are a
number of tunable parameters to say how much various actions cause.
For example, I find that dragging is worse than moving the mouse.
Keyboard work causes me very little pain at all. From these facts I
can set up the RSIMon to weight dragging the mouse more heavily than
movement etc. Once a certain 'pain' threshold has been reached, the
dialog pops to the top to remind me to take a break. The 'pain' level
decays and when it reaches zero the dialog goes back to the tray
(unless it was already visible).
In addition it has two settings, for painful days and normal days. All
these settings are stored in the user registry area, so they should
migrate with you (if you have a roaming profile) and should be
separated by user (if you have multiple users set up).
RSIMon is still a work in progress, but it's functional enough for
now!
GNU GPL
-------------------------
RSI-Mon
http://kimihia.org.nz/projects/rsimon/
RSI-Mon changes colour every 15 minutes to remind you to take a short
micropause. Every hour it will change to a
third colour to remind you to have a 15 minute break.
It can be paused and restarted if you wish.
It uses JavaScript to open in a smaller window, and also to make the
window vibrate and attrack attention when a
break is due.
-------------------------