Review: BigClock

Posted on February 26, 2006 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Review,Software

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Summary

BigClock, by Jens Rupp, is a multi-purpose clock, world time clock, timer/stopwatch and alarm clock.

Overview

Manufacturer: Jens Rupp
Platform: Palm
Current Version: Palm: 2.83;

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Allows you to have four each of: world clocks, timers and alarm clocks
• It is freeware
• Timers count up and down and have a repeat function
• Alarms can snooze (or not)
• Pictures can be loaded to make it pretty
• Easy to use
• Small application size
• Customizable alarms
• Customizable screens for each of the functions
• Stable software
• Did I mention it was free?

Cons

• The user interface isn’t as snazzy as some of the other programs out there

Why Did I Download/Buy This?

I was in the market for a timer. I didn’t really care about a clock function, as one comes with the Palm. But I wanted a timer. There are many stopwatch applications out there, but at the time I researched this, very few timers. This program met my basic criteria: small, stable and free. I have since used it as an integral part of my day: the timers can get me moving on jobs I am procrastinating on; the alarm gets used every day as a reminder to give the cat his medicine.

How I Use This?

I find it having a timer around useful for getting me started. I set the timer, telling myself I can stop when it goes off, and usually I won’t want to stop when the timer goes off, or the task is complete.

Timers are essential to the Flylady method. Her motto of “you can do anything for 15 minutes!” is very true. Things I abhor I can get through by telling myself that I can stop when the timer goes off. Besides being an effective task starter gizmo, it also prevents burnout. I only require myself to do 15 minutes of cleaning per day (after the daily stuff dealing with dishes and the bathrooms, that is). So I set the timer, start working, and when the timer goes off I am done and I have permission to go do what I want.

Another added benefit of using the timer is it helps me keep promises. My daughter is willing to let me work as long as she knows that when the timer goes off, she will get my undivided attention. I can play with her, knowing my work is done for the day, and not be distracted by other tasks at hand – I know I will get to them in another 15 minute session.

Update 5/6/2007

My BigClock has been supplanted at home by a series of smaller and more mobile timers that I don’t have to worry about dropping into the mud, washer, sink, etc. At work I use a piece of software I wrote to keep me on task so that the beeping of the timer doesn’t bother my pod-mates. However, I still use BigClock as my backup alarm, particularly right after the time change, when I was sleeping through my primary alarm.

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