ChronoControl Operation
To take periodic breaks from work is the well-known rule of ergonomics. Strange
as it may seem, this simple rule helps not only to preserve heath but also to
significantly enhance the productivity of your work. However, it is also obvious
that getting a computer user to observe a strict working schedule is just impossible
at times. No matter how conscientious a person is, there can always be an interesting
project or game that will make the user stay motionless in front of the computer
for many hours. Especially when this user is your child!
ChronoControl attentively looks after the user’s working schedule and literally
forces him to take brief pauses on a regular basis, which is necessary for both
his physical and mental health. When carrying out this task ChronoControl acts
in the most direct and effective way; the program locks the screen, keyboard
and mouse completely for the duration of such a break. As the practice shows,
strict observation of a working schedule leads not only to improvement of the
user’s health but also helps to keep his mind in shape and enhance the productivity
of his work considerably!
1. General Operating Principles
ChronoControl loads automatically
whenever you start Windows and goes on working in a background mode during the
entire session. Staying in memory, ChronoControl gives no signs of its presence
until the time has come for the user to take a break. (The parameters of breaks
– duration, frequency, and sequence of breaks and working intervals – depend
upon the ChronoControl configuration.)
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Three minutes before the break, ChronoControl warns you about the upcoming
break by the appearance of a message window. This
gives you a perfect chance to save your active files and prepare yourself
for a break.
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It is very easy to find out how much time is left until the next
break; the only thing you need to do is to position the mouse pointer
over the program icon on the system tray
(without clicking on it) and you will get all the necessary information
in a popup box! |
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As soon as the moment to take a break has come, ChronoControl will lock
your computer for the duration of the break.
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The time and length of the break depends on the operating
mode you have chosen. |
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During the break, you can always find out how much time is left
until the resumption of work pressing any key on the keyboard or mouse. |
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As soon as the break is over, ChronoControl will let you know by an audible
signal and will go into a standby mode. Now that you have rested and gathered
new energy, you can resume work at your convenience! |
It should be noted that ChronoControl has a wide range of thoroughly designed
options that allow any user to fine-tune the program
operation to his own needs and working conditions!
2. The Icon on the System Tray
ChronoControl loads automatically whenever you start Windows, and goes on working
in a background mode during the entire session. Immediately after the program
has loaded, the program icon appears on the Windows tray.
The appearance of the icon can vary depending on the current program
status:
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Icon appearance |
Meaning
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ChronoControl works in a normal mode |
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ChronoControl is disabled
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A possibility to disable the program exists only in the Personal
and Guard versions of the program.
There is no such possibility in the Lite
version! More detailed discussion on how you can buy the Personal
and Guard versions of the program you can find in the "Registration"
section. |
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You can always make the following set of actions using the program icon on
the system tray:
| Actions |
Result |
Positioning the pointer over the icon (without clicking the mouse)
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The following
information box pops up:
The box provide the user with the following information: |
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The program title, version and modification |
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The time left until the next break or the current program status. |
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Double click with the left mouse button
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By a double-click, you can trigger the standby
mode. |
Single click with the right mouse button
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Opens the main
program menu, which will let you know the current ChronoControl working
options and make all the necessary settings. |
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3. The Message Screen
It warns you of the upcoming break and the necessity to save your files:
In total, three message screens appear – 1, 2, and 3 minutes
before a break.
4. The Break Period
As soon as the moment to start a break has come, ChronoControl
blocks the screen, keyboard, and mouse of the computer for the entire break time.
Locking the computer will spare you the temptation to continue your work and
will let your body relax, rest and gather new energy! How long the break lasts
depends on the operating mode you have set.
You can always find out how much time is left until the end of a break. To
do it you only need to hit any button on the keyboard or mouse:
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If you need to turn your computer off during a break period, press
Ctrl+Alt+Del (all at the same time) and choose “Shutdown”. |
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If you reboot your computer during a break, and if the “Soft
Operating Mode” is disabled, ChronoControl will remember the time of
the last start. Immediately after the computer has been restarted, the
program will lock it again until the end of the break! No “cheating” is
allowed. :) |
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5. Standby Mode
The standby mode appears in the following cases: |
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Immediately after a break is over, informing the user that his computer
is ready to work.
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The standby mode can be called manually by a double-click of the program
icon on the system tray (next to the clock).
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When the stand by mode is activated, ChronoControl waits for you to hit any
key to resume the work.
Depending on ChronoControl working parameters,
the properties of this window will vary. Thus, if you have synchronization
type “On start time” set and if the standby mode lasts longer than the time
of break, then the timer will be automatically reset. This done, if you still
remain inactive, the time until the next break will be counted all over again.
Respectfully, Vladimir Kim
Operation
