RSI Prevention, Micropause, Take a Break, Stretch and Exercise Reminder Computer Software
Increased Accuracy and Safety For Computer Users
Main Break Reminder control form and Micropause / Break window. Break Reminder reminds you to take Breaks and / or
Micropauses to your set times, including sensing when you have typed long enough. Much cheaper than an RSI alternative!
RSI / OOS / MSD / CTS / CVS
OOS (Occupational Overuse Syndrome) is also known as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury - USA) and MSD (Musculoskeletal Disorders - Europe). CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) and CVS (Computer vision syndrome) also are associated with computer use. These injuries are becoming more and more common in today's computer intensive world. OOS, RSI, MSD, CTS and CVS can become very painful and debilitating if not treated early. With this in mind, the best cure is prevention. If injuries already exists, strict work methods are required to facilitate recovery.
Break Reminder is designed to both prevent and assist convalescence of these debilitating computer terminal associated conditions. It has numerous other benefits also. Whilst we have many anecdotal reports of the value of this software, there is also research that supports the value this type of software provides to PC users.
Break Reminder has a small program interface that discretely runs in the background. It can monitor your computer use, and reminds (or can force) you to take a break to user chosen settings.
News
Break Reminder™ 3.10.1, released December 12 2006, now includes:
Release of the Free Break Reminder Demo version 3.9.7. This has most Break Reminder functionality, however the settings are not saved exiting Break Reminder Demo. The licensed version of Break Reminder Pro saves all settings, has auto-run functionality when logging on, as well as being Multi-Monitor capable;
Ctl+Alt+X hot key Support. (X is a user selected character)
Press
"Sneaky stressor #1: Using your computer
Here's what happens when you flick on your computer: "Your breathing rate goes up 30 percent, your blinking rate goes way down, and you tend to tighten your arms and shoulders without knowing it," says Erik Peper, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Holistic Healing at San Francisco State University.
Slash the stress: Change your body position every half hour or so simply standing while talking on the phone can improve bloodflow and ease muscle strain.
Visit cheqsoft.com for low-cost software that will tell you to also take microbreaks quick pauses to close your eyes and flex your wrists."
"Break
Reminder has saved me from RSI. I have been using it for over 2
years and together with a good mouse mat and keyboard, it has
eradicated all symptoms. I have recommended it to all my family
and friends. Well done and thank you." (Toby Beresford, Microaid.net,
July 22 2003)
This example
recently advised to us summarizes other comments we have
received. Another example of user feedback:
"Very
well-designed, the heuristic’s really make it pop up at the right
times, without being too aggressive or permissive".
And yet another
example, this one independent and spontaneous academic
opinion:
"I have
now been using your software on both my home and work computer in
conjunction with Maltron keyboards and and trackball mice for a
few months and have nothing but praise for your software. Being a
research scientist I tried several free/Trialware software
packages and have found yours to be undoubtedly the best. It is
easy to use and strikes the correct fine balance of usefulness
versus intrusiveness so as not to get in the way when a break
cannot be taken. I have recommended it to most of the people here
and it actually helps the entire work day not just protecting from
RSI. Looking forward to version 4!" (Dr
N Martin, Curtin University, Western Australia. August 11
2004)
And more...
"After
years of dealing with work-related tendonitis, I credit your Break Reminder
program with saving my arms and my career! It does just what I need it
to do (force me to take breaks at regular intervals), without a lot of
extraneous bells and whistles." June 7 2005
"Been
using Break Reminder for several years - looked for upgrade and
thought it was time to pay up for all that benefit!!"
July 24 2005
"Break Reminder has been great"
... "One (user) reporting that it's been the single biggest help in reducing the pains he's getting, so 10 out of 10!" London
Business School,
September 19 2005
"I love this program! It has really helped with my RSI recovery." University of Wisconsin Researcher,
after 2 days of use,
July 31 2006
Research suggests the use of
this software will improve staff accuracy. Indeed it may do so
by 13% and may even pay for itself in around 3 months. That
calculation does not include the very significant costs of managing
active cases of OOS (or RSI or MSD).
The case to use Break Reminder
is compelling.
Please
contact us and enquire about
customized corporate versions of Break Reminder. Multi user
and Terminal Server versions are available. Break Reminder is
designed for Corporations. It is easy to use and support,
fairly priced, and fully functional. Licensing can be
simplified when all staff are covered. Break Reminder features a very small file
footprint, conserving PC and Server resources for the principle
work. Staff appreciate your investment and demonstrated care in
their welfare.
Who has bought Break Reminder?
Break Reminder has
been sold Internationally. Customers include corporations, health
and education institutions in the USA, UK, Australia and New
Zealand. We also have users in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France,
Germany, and the Netherlands. Corporation's typically spend months
testing Break Reminder before purchasing it. There are now many many
thousands of safer PC users. Break Reminder is a stable product
which features elegant simplicity in its sophisticated design. It
has all the essential features yet remains simple to use and is
competitively priced. Some customers regard it as important as their
email client.
Break
Reminder's Design History
The original Break
Reminder was written by Tom Hingston, software developer and quality
manager. User feedback has guided product evolution to make Break
Reminder the product it is today. Tom specialized in design elegance
through simplicity of user interfaces. If it wasn't simple to use it
was no good. He believed and practiced the KISS principle.
Medical Professional
Design Influence
Product concept and
medical advice has been provided by Dr David HingstonMB ChB MBA, a New Zealand vocationally registered specialist
general practitioner with experience managing OOS, RSI, MSD and
CTS patients.
Features
Highly
configurable to each users circumstance, whether an OOS sufferer,
having good or bad days or desiring OOS / RSI / MSD prevention.
Micropause
reminders. (seconds)
Rest Breaks
reminders. (minutes)
Whole screen
"Black out" option during pauses and breaks.
Enforce or
ignore break options.
MicroPauses
and/or Rest Breaks options
Choose the
number of Micropauses between Breaks.
3 operational
modes:
(i)
Basic timed reminders - set times
(ii)
Key/Mouse sensing - computer use influencing break times
(iii) Key/mouse triggering of each successive timed period.
(resumption of timing on return to PC use)
Three preset
configurations offered, however over 3 billion user choice options
available
Pause Break
Reminder at any time, without resetting timers and counters (manage
interruptions)
Shortcut key
access
Administrator version
downloadable here
Password
protection option for the Settings, Options, Stopping and
Exiting.1
Auto startup
option for every time your computer boots.
Log files
recording Break Reminder use events.
Reports
summarizing use statistics.
Tray icon
menu - right click to access functions and status.
Ctrl-Alt or Ctrl-Shift Hot Call Recall from System Tray
Small program
interface that discretely runs in the background.
Small program
runtime conserves PC resources.
Sound options
to indicate when breaks start and finish
Internal or
externalor no speakers setting options.
Please download and install Break Reminder. Please run Break Reminder and follow the directions to purchase
your license (if you have not already done so).
Break Reminder Trial and Annual License options are available for
purchase. Further information is detailed on our FAQ page. Purchase of licenses
contributes towards the significant development and support costs of our software.
Multiple user license discounts are available. Please visit the purchase page for details or please
email us with your requirements.
Please note some web sites may link here and suggest this software is freeware. That is not the case.
Support
If you have any problems with Break Reminder, please go to our Support page.
Break Reminder includes user friendly software support systems to simplify and rapidly diagnose end user support issues.
Please understand the software may be refined further so the images shown herein become superseded.
Awards
Emerald Dragon 5 Stars
SoftList 5 Stars
Niche Software unique & innovative award
AFreeGo - 5 ticks
Break Reminder Demo is Free
Break Reminder™ Licensees receive version 3.10.1, 2.55MB;
Compatible with Microsoft Windows 98 / ME / NT4 (> SP3) / 2000 / XP / 2003. N.B. The current Free Break Reminder Demo version 3.9.7 is not yet Multi Monitor Capable;
Runs on double byte language platforms e.g. Asian countries.
