Why?

• Protect Yourself!
• Protect Your Employees!

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 Plus™ 3.12.0 is coming soon, watch this space!!!
  • Will be a FREE Plus version!;
  • Many new features!;

• Break Reminder Pro™ 3.11.6 released May 14 2007, features:
  • More Hot Key options;
  • Hot Keyed ignores;
  • Hot Keyed Postpones to user timing preference, e.g. when taking a phone call use your preferred Hot Key to gain a 2 minute 30 second break postponement;
  • Now even more ergonomically user friendly;
  • Check out the Free Break Reminder Demo™.
  
  

• Break Reminder™ 3.11.3 released April 26, 2007, features:
  • Certified compliant with U3 USB and Vista;
  • Appropriately responds to Hibernation and Standby events;
  • Download and check out Free Break Reminder Demo 3.11.3;

• Break Reminder™ 3.11.2 released April 17, 2007, features:
  • Revised Settings interface;
  • Other refinements;
  • Download and check out Free Break Reminder Demo 3.11.2;

• Break Reminder™ 3.11.0 released April 12, 2007, now includes:
  • Runs on Windows Vista;
  • Significant revision for smoother operation;
  • New information now shown in the System Tray Icon - A quick glance tells Break Reminder status;

• Break Reminder™ 3.10.3, released March 6, 2007, now includes:
  • U3 USB memory stick version 3.10.3 - certified compliant to run on U3 / Windows XP;
  • Multi-Monitor capability;
  • Easy manual and automated update downloads;
  • Now covers all monitors on Multiple Monitor PCs.
  • Ctl+Alt+X Hot Key Support. (X is a user selected character)
  • The Free Break Reminder Demo version 3.10.3 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, and when logging on has auto-run functionality.

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."

From "5 sneaky stressors - and how to take the bite out of all of them." Edited by Kate Dailey, Associate Editor, Men's Health, August 2005, msn.com.

Customer Testimonials

"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". 

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

"I swear by your product, and have been using it for sometime, here at work. I have steered colleagues to your product as well." Corporate Customer, Texas, April 14 2007

Reviews

Download.com

Corporate Clients

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 courts are increasingly awarding injured employees some very significant compensation packages.

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 Hingston MB 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.

  
  
  Break Reminder settings window.
  Break Reminder allows quick settings as shown with the red surround
  - or customise and personalise Break Reminder to suit yourself.

• Micropause reminders. (seconds)
• Rest Breaks reminders. (minutes)

• Whole screen "Black out" option during pauses and breaks.

  
  
  Break Reminder in action.
  Choose this small Break Reminder window
  - or have Break Reminder enforce your breaks by complete screen black outs.

• 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 external or no speakers setting options.
• Sound scheme options.
• Easy Install and full uninstall option.
• Set-up Wizard to assist settings selection.
  
  
  
  

Endorsements

• Center for Occupational and Environmental Health - Berkeley
• Ergonomics Consulting Services - San Francisco
• Workplace Ergonomics Web Page recommends Break Reminder "I work about 12 to 18 hours a day on a computer and have reversed the onset of carpal tunnel..."

Information Resources

• Setting up your workstation
• Exercises and stretches to take during your Micropauses and Rest Breaks
• Cornell University Ergonomics Web

Licensing

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

Break Reminder Demo is Free

• Break Reminder™ PC Licensees receive version 3.11.6, 3.1MB;
• Compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista;
• U3 USB memory stick version 3.11.3 - certified compliant to run on U3 and Windows 2000 / XP / Vista.

Purchase Licenses

New License - One PC / User	One Years Support for US$ 59.00Two Years Support for US$ 73.75Three Years Support for US$ 87.03Four Years Support for US$ 98.94Five Years Support for US$ 109.59
Volume Discounted Multiple PC / User Licenses
Support Renewal - One PC / User	One Years Support for US$ 29.50Two Years Support for US$ 44.25Three Years Support for US$ 57.23Four Years Support for US$ 69.44Five Years Support for US$ 80.09