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FAQs
Where does WatchMe store information about the timers that I have created?
There is a file called WatchMeConfig.xml that will be created automatically when the WatchMe.exe file is first run. The file is located in a central location on your machine – you can determine where it is located by going to the Help | About menu. All timers, notes and settings are stored in this file. If you delete it, it will be re-created automatically when you next run the app.
As of version 2.0.1.10 (released June 21, 2011) the application will automatically keep a backup of the most recent configuration in a WatchMeConfig.bak file in the same directory as the XML file. If the XML file becomes corrupted in anyway (often seen if the computer crashes while WatchMe is writing to its config file), the application will automatically attempt to restore from this backup.
What is the “Focus Light”?
The focus light provides a visual indicator of how “focused” you are while you work. As you stop a timer (in order to switch to something other task) the system records a “task switch”. The more task switches you have the less “focused” you are. On the options screen (available from the Timers menu or by hitting CTRL-O) you can turn the focus light on or off and also set the number of task switches per a set number of minutes you feel still keeps you “focused”. As long as you stay below this threshold, the light stays green; as soon as you go past this threshold, the light will switch to yellow and then eventually to red (least focused).
This option works best when the kind of work you do requires you to concentrate on one thing at a time with minimal distractions. By switching your timers whenever you are distracted, the light can quickly show you when you are losing your concentration or when you are firing on all cylinders.
How much does WatchMe cost?
WatchMe is “donationware” – so it is technically free to use, but if you find it useful i’d certainly appreciate a little token of your love. Visit the WatchMe donation page for more information.
I minimized the application and now it has disappeared. Where did it go?
WatchMe can minimize itself to either the task bar or the system tray – if you can’t find it when you minimize it, it’s most likely in the system tray.
If you would prefer it not to do this, check the “Minimize to Taskbar” option on the options page.
What is an “Alert”?
An alert is simply a way to have a timer alert you after a certain amount of time has elapsed. You can set an alert by right clicking on the time display of a timer and click on “Add Alert”. After the specified time has elapsed you can have WatchMe warn you audibly, with a messge or even stop the timer.
Can I have the timers count down instead of forward?
WatchMe was designed to track the elapsed time as you work on various things, it was never designed to act as a countdown timer. If you wish to be alerted after a certain amount of time has passed, you can always use the “alert” feature.
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#3 written by Aldomeir 3 months ago
One of the time formats I would like to see is one that includes days…i.e. every 24 hours cycle back to 0 but add 1 to the left for days, i.e. dd:hh:mm:ss. I use one of the timers for system uptime. Yes, I know there is a command to get uptime directly from the system, but using your program is somewhat easier.
Great program…and Thanks!
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#5 written by georgge 3 months ago
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Excellent program! Works very well to keep up with IT tasks across multiple customers. I’ve been using it for a month or two now and one killer feature I’m looking for in a timer program is a way to import into our time/billing system. Your XML storage is perfect since we can parse it for import, but one addition that would make the import automatic (no cleanup afterwards) is if there were a timestamp for the last time the timer was stopped so I can import that as a date for the work that was done. (using the tabs as customers, so that works great in the xml).
Keep up the great work.
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Hi Mark
I am in the process of adding a more detailed logging feature into the application. It will record details on timer activity into a separate XML file, so you would be able to import it rather than the current configuration file. Look for that in the next major release – maybe by the end of the year.
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#10 written by RP 2 months ago
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#12 written by Claudio 1 week ago
How can I download an older version? Love this timer but I just downloaded the latest version and noticed the timer runs far too slow on my system. I never paid attention to the accuracy of the timing on the prior version but always thought something was a little suspicious especially after the past month when it took me many hours less work to do a certain task that I know requires a certain amount of hours.
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Some requests :
1) the alert sounds only once – I would like a recurring alert, eg sounding every ten minutes
2) I do not want the WatchMe window to pop up when the alert sounds but to stay unobtrusively in the notification area
3) the WatchMe window width: I would like to have the option of viewing it as as a very small window showing just the time, nothing elseThanks
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Hi,
I just tried your product and was impressed!
My application is beyond your requirement of a work timer. What I would like to use it for is to time a game tournament. Picture a chess match with a chess clock but instead of chess the game is Puerto Rico or Formula D! Your product works well already. If you are thinking of ever branching out, some requirements that would make it work better for me are: stretchable window so players can see their time from 6′ away; a countdown (this you already rejected I know); a way to load the export file into a new tab; a way to clone the alert from one timer to another; and a way to set the defaults for a new alert settings (time amount and applicable options). Please keep up the great work!