Frequently asked questions

(Un)installing

When I try to uninstall Workrave, a dialog pops up stating that Workrave is still running and cannot be uninstalled. How do can I uninstall Workrave?

You simply cannot uninstall Workrave while the program is running. So, first quit the program by right clicking the little status window (or sheep icon in the system tray) to open the menu. Select "Quit", and then run the uninstaller.

Breaks

What are good values for the micropause, restbreak and daily limit timers?

The main problem here is that the settings that are required are different from person to person.

For example, I use workrave with a 25 second micropause every two and a half minute, and a 10 minute restbreak every 20 minutes. I need these frequent breaks, because I'm recovering from RSI. And as I recover, I change the settings to fewer breaks.

If you have never had any problem at all (using the computer, that is), then you may want much fewer breaks, say 10 seconds micropause every 10 minutes, and a 5 minute restbreak every hour.

It is very hard to give proper guidelines here. My best advice is to play around and see what works for you. Which settings "feel right". Basically, that's how Workrave's defaults evolve.

I would like to keep on reading the screen during a micropause. Could you please implement support for transparent micropause windows, or make the micropause window position configurable?

No. Really, you should not be reading the screen during a micropause. Adding support for the requested feature defeats the purpose of Workrave. Relax your eyes, and stare past the monitor during a micropause.

Even if you are not suffering from eyestrain, please keep in mind that staying put in the same position while reading the screen is not good for your wrists as well. By staying in the same position you restrict the bloodflow to your arms, which increases their tension recovery time.

Has anyone done any physiological studies to determine good break lengths?

Computer terminal work and the benefits of microbreaks
McLean, L.; Tingley, M.; Scott, R.N.; Rickards, J.
Applied Ergonomics 32 (2001): 225-237
Computer mouse use and cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremities
Fogleman, M.; Brogmus, G.
Ergonomics 38(12): 2465-2475.
Multiple nerve entrapment syndromes in office workers
Novak, C.B.; Mackinnon, S.E.
Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews 14(1): 39-59.
Musculoskeletal disorders in operators of visual display terminals
Ong, C.-N.
World Health Forum 15 (1994): 161-164.
Wrist and forearm postures and motions during typing
Serina, E.R.; Tal, R.; Rempel, D.
Ergonomics 42(7):938-951.
Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among computer users
Tittiranonda, P.; Burastero, S.; Rempel, D.
Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews 14(1): 17-37.

Miscellaneous

You mention that Workrave is available in several languages, but how do I change to one of those languages ?

Workrave takes over the language preferences from the operating system. It does not offer an additional language preference itself. On Windows, you can chance the locale in the control panel: "Regional and Language settings".

Is it possible to embed the status window into the Windows taskbar?

Yes, version 1.6.0 (and higher) supports this. Right-click on the taskbar, and activate "Workrave" from the list of toolbars.
Windows applet