Workrave

1.10

Software information

License:

Freeware (Free)


Updated:

21 Jan 2013


Publisher:

Workrave

Website:

http://workrave.org

Software Screenshots

Size: 13.64 MB


Downloads: 3974


Platform: Windows (All Versions)

Review by Jerome Johnston (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 01 Mar 2012

We spend our days and sometimes our nights at our computers doing various things. Though we typically think of our office work as physically undemanding, lawyers, writers, coders and others who live in the glow of the monitor are easy prey for dangerous keyboards and aggressive mice, often ending up with what’s known by many as RSI. RSI stands for repetitive stress injury, in which seemingly inoffensive but oft-repeated tasks, such as those required in using a computer, can cause physical changes that result in pain.

When your back hurts, when your tired eyes turn red and start watering, or when your wrist begins to click or pop with even the simplest movements, you realize that it’s time to start taking care of yourself. Fortunately, there’s an app for that and that's Workrave. This is basically a free, completely configurable program for Windows PCs and Linux that can help you prevent repetitive motion injuries. The software keeps track of your activity and warns you when you’ve been working for too long, prompting you to engage in some light exercise in the office or to take a break. This way, you can avoid a lot of health problems that can come up over time.

Workrave is easy to install and supports almost any Windows version, including XP and Windows 7. It takes up little hard disk space and requires low system resources.

Once you have Workrave on your PC, it’s a good idea to configure it in order to run when your computer starts so you won’t forget to use it. While running, Workrave displays a little white sheep icon on the taskbar. Double-clicking that icon will show counters indicating the time till the next microbreak, rest break and daily limit.

Right-clicking the taskbar icon or the inside of the expanded Workrave window brings up the Options menu. By selecting the Preferences option and then Timers you can adjust the time between breaks and the duration of breaks for all of the timers.

The program features numerous exercises that can be performed almost anywhere. Workrave’s suggested exercises mostly involve moving your elbows, shoulders and wrists, stretching your arms or fingers and relaxing your eyes. Some of the suggested exercises, though, are a bit embarrassing to be performed in an office, for example, stretching.

The program offers insightful tips on ways to take care of your health at work. For example, it offers a way to relax your eyes by covering them with your open hands while keeping your eyelids open and looking into the darkness of your palms.

Pros

It features a lot of exercises that can help you feel better. Besides that, the time between breaks can be easily customized. Furthermore, the program can be set to start together with Windows.

Cons

The messages for taking breaks can become annoying after a while. Workrave is a useful, highly configurable free software that reminds you to take breaks from using the computer, thus improving your health.

Workrave
1.10

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Workrave Awards


Workrave Editor’s Review Rating

Workrave has been reviewed by Jerome Johnston on 01 Mar 2012. Based on the user interface, features and complexity, Findmysoft has rated Workrave 4 out of 5 stars, naming it Excellent

4

out of 5