Simpleware: Easy-peasy parallel timing with Timerdoro

Let’s say your days are primarily task-driven as opposed to calendar-driven, and you’d like to automate the process of taking breaks and be reminded of a few other things at regular intervals. If so, Timerdoro should be just the ticket.

For those already familiar with the Pomodoro technique (which, to be frank, is as much common sense as it is a technique), the primary purpose of a nifty web application such as Timerdoro should be instantly recognizeable: to remind users to take regular breaks from work in order to increase their ability to focus in between said breaks.

The original version calls for 25-minute work intervals interspersed by 5-minute breaks, in addition to a longer break for every third or fourth Pomodoro (which, incidentally, is italian for Tomato). If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend doing so; at the very least I can virtually guarantee it will reduce your stress levels.

With Timerdoro, there are a couple of welcome twists to the underlying technique, the first of which is the ability to adjust the intervals to your liking – such as 30-10, or even 42-18 if you’re so inclined. Different persons are able to work in a focused manner for different amounts of time, and Timerdoro respectfully accounts for this.

In addition, and this is its killer feature, Timerdoro allows you to create timers which run in parallel and can be started and stopped at your whim. So long as you don’t configure a heinously complex set of timers and stick to the basics, you have the ability to automate recurring daily habits and thus reduce the mental workload.

A good example of this would be Timerdoro’s own default suggestion of a short break every 20 minutes to vary your depth of focus to alleviate the risk of developing CSV; other uses could be reminders to check the fax machine or carrying out a few excercises to combat the health risks connected with having your arse glued to a chair all day.

Bonus: it’s a web app, so it’ll run pretty much everywhere.