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Sometimes I spend too much time at the computer and I need something to remind me to do the "other" stuff.

I am looking for some kind of alarm that would work as a Chrome extension or Linux application.

All, I need from it is to remember that I already spent x hours today.

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Might be best on superuser - there's probably a bit of command line-fu that would let you set an alarm on login… It's just above my level of knowledge... – Joe Apr 18 '12 at 10:02
It cannot be on login, usually I keep my computer started but from time to time I reboot, sometimes quite suddenly :) – Sorin Sbarnea Apr 18 '12 at 10:17
Okay - if rebooting then how about a cronjob that increments a counter every minute of 'uptime' and pings or emails you when you go over a limit (reseting on new days)? – Joe Apr 18 '12 at 11:46

4 Answers

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Workrave can do this. It can even be configured to track your time across multiple computers.

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Awareness is a program that just remember you to take a break without an intrusive alarm only the sound of a Tibetan singing bowl Awareness banner

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How, nice no Linux version :p – Sorin Sbarnea Apr 23 '12 at 11:15
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So to promote this from the commends - as a linux user I'd set a line in the cron table that increments a counter every minute and then when you got up to your particular limit to ring an alarm.

Something I've done occasionally is simply not taken my laptop charger with me - built in limit on your work. (A handy bonus thing here is if one's other half objects to bringing a laptop on a holiday - not taking the power supply is a wonderful compromise...)

Oh - the other thing... So address the problem at a differently level - when I know I have lots of "other" stuff to do I convert to a kind of standing-desk arrangement - that keeps me pottering around the house on a regular basis and it great for avoiding the 'internet stupor' I fall into when I know I have to get up and do stuff around the house.

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Upvoted for the note on standing desk. I use a standing desk at work and it's amazing how much easier it is to just walk away than if you have to start from a sitting position – Belisama Apr 27 '12 at 10:16
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I use RescueTime. It breaks down the time you spend on your computer in productive time and unproductive time. You can set your own targets, for example send me a notification when I spend 6 hours on very productive time, or notify me when I have spend one hour on very distracting things.

Currently, there is a linux version available via an open source project. Some time ago I asked support whether the are building an own version, and good news, they are. A beta should be comming up.

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