If you generally spend extended hours at your computer and if you’re experiencing strain in one form or another, I’ve got the perfect solution for you…
Whether you’re into research, gaming, or online social networks, or you’re just an avid internet surfer it seems that all of us are increasing our ’screen time’ – spending more and more time behind the computer monitor. And you may agree that online interaction, virtual worlds and the great big www can be so captivating that its easy to lose track of the time and suddenly realise that its 1am and you haven’t moved your body for hours!
Even if your office job requires you to spend most of your time at your desk behind your computer, it can certainly take its toll on your fingers / neck / social life / marriage!!
The problem is you could end up way too tired everyday, or you could be experiencing RSI – Repetitive Strain Injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, or myopia.
Time to keep it in balance (or bring it back into balance!) Enter: Workrave!
This ingenious little program frequently alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and also restricts you to your daily limit.
Workrave reminds you to take a break in an unobtrusive manner. When it is time for your break, a friendly small popup window appears asking you to take a break. This window automatically moves out of the way if you keep on working. If you ignore these hints too often, however, the program acts less friendly and pops up the break window for your own good.
The program is designed quite intuitively. It continuously monitors your keyboard and mouse activity. If you leave your computer running while you are at a meeting, Workrave will notice that you are taking a natural break from the computer.
Workrave is fully configurable, in many ways, and here are just a few of the functions you can control.
- the duration between micro breaks, and between micro breaks
- the duration of your breaks
- the duration of the postpone, or ’snooze’ functions
- the maximum amount of times you can postpone
- you daily limit of computer time
- display of status window
- signal sounds or silent mode
- the ability to block you form working further or not
You can read get all the finer details and download the program on the Workrave website.
Don’t panic though – you can override any of the features, and continue to work or play if you absolutely have to! Here is what the configuration window looks like…
And this is what one of the timing windows looks like…
…and when it’s time for your exercises, you will be guided through a routine with the aid of this window…
Workrave is free software. Not only does it come free of charge, but you are also free to make modifications to the program.
You can read more about Workrave here and you can download it free here.
Have fun…and remember: keep the balance!
