This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. A "pages-of-Google-hits" score is provided with the reference to each program's home page. This is an alphabetical list, This list does not rank application quality, nor is it complete.
It uses micro-phone to scroll websites.Ī tip, in order to use the mouse less often in the software menus, is to learn the keyboard shortcuts. Breathing scrolling requires no mouse or keyboard for scrolling. You can find a list of software names in theĪn example of a tool that reduces the impact would also be breathing scrolling. These tools ideally reduce the number of keystrokes and mouse clicks that a user needs to accomplish a particular task. This type of solution can be very helpful for reducing some types of strain, but it's important to recognize that another significant strain may be created.Īn example of a tool that reduces the impact would be a hotkey tool or automatic clicking tool. Speech recognition replaces keyboard (and sometimes mouse) input with vocal input. This could involve changing or reducing input device use, improving a user interface to reduce stress, speeding up a process to reduce the time a user needs to be at the computer, etc.Īn example of a tool that changes the impact would be speech recognition. Some tools have advanced features like the ability to block break suggestions during some activities (e.g., when showing a presentation, or in full-screen mode).Īpplications with these tools seek to mitigate the impact of particular activities by either changing or reducing the associated exposure. Features to enforce breaks can also be helpful to people who want to take breaks but whose personalities are such that they have a hard time stopping work. Some tools have extensive customization capability that allows you to configure exactly how and when breaks will be suggested. The best tools allow you to select which of these mechanisms you want to use.įlexibility is important since each person has different needs. popup windows, screen dimmers), and much more. The various mechanisms for reminding you to take a break can include visual and audio indicators, workflow limiters (e.g. These tools can be less frustrating to people whose computer work is interspersed with other activities throughout the day. Some tools also consider patterns in activity and will suggest breaks sooner or later depending on activity. Other tools consider natural rests and delay break suggestions accordingly.
That may work well if a job requires constant and consistent computer work, but can be distracting if work is not constantly on the computer. Many tools are simple timers (e.g., reminders to rest every 60 minutes).
Considerations for selecting a tool include the mechanism the tools use to decide when alerts to take a break are needed, how to take a break, and how flexible the tool is. This can be an important component for many users.