Review: Pocket Doan

Summary

Pocket Doan, by Joseph H. Stadolnik III, is a multi-function meditation timer.

Overview

Manufacturer: Joseph H. Stadolnik III
Platform: Palm
Current Version: Palm: 3.3

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to operate
• Uses “fun” and unusual sounds for alarms
• Can program sequences of alarms
• Freeware

Cons

• The cricket is realistic enough to make people hunt for bugs

Why Did I Download/Buy This?

I was looking for a timer that would allow me to do multiple sequential timings with intervals. The method I was looking at doing was 10 minutes on task, 5 minutes break, repeating 4 times in an hour. This program allows me to do that, giving me gentle sounds to have me move from task to task.

How I Use This?

I use this program to help me relax at night. I have a program set up for 15 minutes fiction reading, 25 minutes non-fiction reading, and 20 minutes of crafting or music. This allows me to be mentally ready to go to sleep.

While I can’t necessarily meditate without falling asleep, this timer still allows me to relax and get my work done, without having jarring sounds alert everyone in the vicinity that I am using a timer.

About the cricket: I was using this program while studying in a bookshop one evening. The cricket was my cue to move to the next task. I overheard one customer close to me say, “They really have a problem with bugs here. I keep hearing crickets!”