Rest break / eye strain programs

freakazoid · **Joined:** Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:45 pm **Posts:** 598

I've noticed that my eyes are becoming more red with tons of capillaries. It's probably due to the fact that I work on the computer all the time!

This prompted me to look into rest break programs or programs that help with eye strain.

I haven't tested the following for portability, but is a list of freeware programs that fit the bill:

Workrave - http://www.workrave.org/
PortableApps.com offers a portable version - http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/ ... e_portable

FadeTop - http://www.fadetop.com/
Includes portable version.

Eyes Relax - http://themech.net/eyesrelax/
Includes portable version; requires .NET 2.0

Breaker - http://davidevitelaru.com/software/breaker/
Requires .NET 2.0

EyeDefender - http://www.eterlab.com/eyedefender/

F.lux - http://stereopsis.com/flux/
Interesting program that changes the colors on your monitor to adapt to the time of day and amount of sunlight.
There's a dev portable version on PortableApps.com - http://portableapps.com/node/28677

---

Some programs that fit the criteria and are already in TPFC are:

MarxioTimer - http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=1502
Tried to download, but the link is dead.

1Time - http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=1567
Doesn't allow you to minimize to system tray. Tried programs like RBTray and Minimize To Tray to get it in the tray, but it remained in the taskbar, which is a no-no for me.

Do you know any others? Or have you tested any of the above?

If so, post your thoughts and comments!

webfork · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 2:59 pm

freakazoid wrote:

Do you know any others? Or have you tested any of the above?

Saw this just now over at softpedia: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Mis ... Cure.shtml

You also might look into programs that stress avoiding repetitive stress injuries (RSI) of which I suppose eye strain is one. There are quite a few.

webfork · **Posted:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:53 pm

I tested out Workrave yesterday and was really impressed. Some of the settings are a bit unclear (reading mode? network? what does daily limit mean? What if I just want breaks and not micro-breaks?) and there's no included help file. Still its small and stays out of your way, recognizes when the system isn't in use, the exercises it offers look very helpful based on what little I know about RSI physical therapy.

freakazoid · **Joined:** Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:45 pm **Posts:** 598

The only thing that prevented me from trying Workrave was the uncompressed filesize - 77MB (according to PA.com), but I'll most likely give it a shot.

Am currently using a combo of Eyes Relax and f.lux at the moment.

webfork · **Posted:** Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:00 am

freakazoid wrote:

The only thing that prevented me from trying Workrave was the uncompressed filesize - 77MB (according to PA.com)

Odd... the install on my system is 24 without NTFS compression, 19 with.

Marc · **Joined:** Sun May 15, 2011 6:06 pm **Posts:** 62

Friendeye is another program for screen brightness that has been reviewed by addictivetips 3 days ago. Looks similar to flux... though I haven't yet downloaded (hence not tested for portability yet). Found as well TimeClue (Visual Break Reminder soft. from DonationCoder).

Other than soft solutions, I really suggest to try carrots juice, dont laugh yet. Carrots have lots of carotenoids (antioxidant) and among other properties they help to protect your eyes. Note you will need some special "juice maker".

Also when the sun goes off I immediately turn on my desk lamp which is on the top of my screen (it has a cylindric form.. more or less), and so it "simulates" the light of the day and makes the screen more readable without adjusting bright or making it dimmed..

freakazoid · **Joined:** Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:45 pm **Posts:** 598

Hi Marc,

Thanks for posting about Friendeye, TimeClue and your other tips like carrot juice (which I'm aware of!).

Btw, TimeClue = FadeTop

Marc · **Joined:** Sun May 15, 2011 6:06 pm **Posts:** 62

freakazoid wrote:

Btw, TimeClue = FadeTop

Oh well... :oops:

I am Baas · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:51 am **Posts:** 2589

Take A Break V1 - a small application that reminds you it's about time to take a break.

http://www.agapastudio.com/products/product.php?id=2

Download @ http://www.agapastudio.com/products/dat ... 0Break.zip

Settings:: Application folder

freakazoid · **Joined:** Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:45 pm **Posts:** 598

Thanks for posting, I am Baas.

Take A Break looks decent.

A few things:
1) Can't minimize the app without accessing the system tray icon
2) No audio alert / break alert isn't obtrusive enough.

I am Baas · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:51 am **Posts:** 2589

Quote:

EyeLeo is a handy PC application that regularly reminds you to take short breaks for your eyes.

http://eyeleo.com/

Dl installer @ http://eyeleo.com/download and uniextract.

Saves settings.xml in AppData\Roaming\EyeLeo

I like this one... I will email the developer for a portable version.

I am Baas · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:51 am **Posts:** 2589

5 Minute Break (V1.04)

http://code.google.com/p/5minutebreak/

Quote:

This little program lets you set a timer that alarms you to make a 5 minute break away from your computer. Alarm can be easily set on/off by left clicking program icon in system tray.

Dl Portable Version @ http://5minutebreak.googlecode.com/file ... 201.04.zip

Tested: Not Portable

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\5 Minute Break

webfork · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:00 pm

Been having eye strain problems lately, which has diminished my activity on the site.

So far testing F.lux and EyeLeo with (so far) good results. EyeLeo is great and the PortableApps F.lux although apparently stuck in early development so far works fine on Win7x64.

Didn't really give this thread much thought until I needed it and now I'm really glad I had this selection of stuff to flip through. Gracias.

webfork · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 9:42 am

Old thread update...

webfork wrote:

the PortableApps F.lux although apparently stuck in early development so far works fine on Win7x64.

This program has become standard on my machine and it works beautifully. It will occasionally complain about not being shut down properly, but that's not a real issue. The only real caveat came after around ~6 months of use: started getting the error "Another instance of F.lux Portable is starting. Please wait for it to start before launching it again" so I re-downloaded and ran it over. Still a great program and I'd like to add it anyway despite the "In Development" status.

Rest break / eye strain programs

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