____ _ ____ _ _ _ | __ )(_) __ _ / ___|| |_ _ __ ___| |_ ___| |__ | _ \| |/ _` | \___ \| __| '__/ _ \ __/ __| '_ \ | |_) | | (_| | ___) | |_| | | __/ || (__| | | | |____/|_|\__, | |____/ \__|_| \___|\__\___|_| |_| |___/ Big Stretch Reminder Program Readme 1. What is "Big Stretch"? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Stretch is a free lightweight reminder tool that prompts a user to take regular breaks and helps prevent the symptoms of RSI. Alternatively it can be a simple reminder program to tell you when it's your coffee break! Big Stretch allows you to: - Set the amount of time between breaks - Select reminder style: notification, popup, micro-break or taskbar flash - Pick a sound for your reminder - Choose between RSI tips or your own message at break time - Choose to increase reminders automatically when working a lot as well as other options to customize your experience even further 2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Windows 10, 11 - Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 Client (or newer) - Pentium 1 GHz or higher - 512 MB RAM or more 3. SETUP ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 Installation Instructions 1. Run the program "bsrp_setup.exe" 2. follow the on-screen instructions in the setup program. 3.2 Uninstall Instructions 1. Open the Big Stretch Reminder Program Folder (Start > Programs > Big Stretch Reminder Program) 2. Run the Uninstall program found in the folder 3. Follow the on-screen instructions in the uninstall program 4. VERSION HISTORY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- v2.8 (released June 2025) - Added: Volume Control - Enhancement: Skip no longer pre-selected in microbreak - Enhancement: "Esc" key now postpones when in microbreak - Enhancement: Improved icon scaling v2.7.4 (released April 2023) - Fixed: Minor issue with micro-break form height cropping text - Enhancement: Installer not longer requires admin rights v2.7.3 (released March 2023) - Enhancement: Opening the app when already running will now open settings - Enhancement: Tidy up of micro-break interface - Fixed: App would quit if you pressed escape during a micro-break v2.7.2 (released February 2023) - Fixed: Sometimes Big Stretch settings would appear on boot v2.7.1 (released February 2023) - Fixed: Minor issue with micro-break form height cropping text v2.7 (released January 2023) - Enhancement: Moved app to Dot.Net 4.8 - Enhancement: Replaced audio library with NAudio - Enhancement: Icons and scaling support - Enhancement: Notification window now fits to text height v2.6.1 (released September 2022) - Fixed: Stop settings window appearing in alt-tab menu after break v2.6 (released September 2022) - Fixed: Sometimes the Intrusive reminder would not appear topmost - Fixed: Sometimes intrusive popups may stack up if hidden v2.5.1 (released September 2022) - Added: Welcome Tips v2.5 (released July 2022) - Added: Taskbar Flash notification type - Enhancement: Replaced Bubble notification with notification style popup - Enhancement: Added some RSI Tips v2.4.2 (released June 2022) - Fixed: Microbreaks are one minute too long v2.4.1 (released March 2022) - Fixed: Validation issue where breaks could be 0 minutes apart v2.4 (released March 2022) - Enhancement: Removed custom message length limit - Enhancement: BS is now a single instance application v2.3 (released March 2022) - New Feature: Option to reset timer when resuming from idle - New Feature: Option to toggle break skipping when a full screen app is running - Fixed: Problematic dpi scaling - Fixed: Error when loading due to regional date format conflict - Enhancement: General interface tidy, advanced tab v2.2 (released August 2020) - New Feature: Option to play sound at the end of a micro-break - Enhancement: Added seconds to micro-break duration - Enhancement: General interface tidy v2.1 (released May 2019) - Fix: Do not play audio at 50% full volume - Enhancement: Detect multiple Screens for disabling desktop - Enhancement: Install for user only to limit potential permission issues v2.0 (released January 2013) - New Feature: Display multiple custom messages - New Feature: Display motivational Quote - New Feature: Select your own sound / music to play at break time - Enhancement: Detect if full screen movie playing or game - Enhancement: Complete Interface re-design - Enhancement: Manually start break form system tray menu - Enhancement: Press ESC to end micro-break v1.9 (released November 2011) - Enhancement: Moved .NET Dependency to 4.0 - Enhancement: .NET check and install integration - Some interface tweaks v1.8 (released October 2011) - New Feature: Reset timer from system tray menu - New Feature: Set variable postpone time for micro-break - Enhancement: Improved timer handling - Some interface tweaks v1.7 (released February 2011) - New Feature: Can increase reminders if working intensively - New Feature: Can set a custom interval by minutes and hours - New Feature: Screen can be locked until break acknowledged - Enhancement: Minor interface tweaks v1.5 (released October 2010) - New Feature: Break countdown indicator in icon tray - New Feature: Choose a sound with your alert - New Feature: User can postpone micro-breaks by 2 mins if busy - Enhancement: Added and updated random tips - Enhancement: Setup form has been re-organized and simplified - Enhancement: Mouse over tray icon to show time till next break v1.1 (released May 2010) - Settings are now user specific for multi-user machines. - New Feature: Added advanced option to disable alerts when idle - Other minor Windows 7 related bugs fixed v1.0 (released Feb 2009) - Enhancement: Timer is inactive while not using the computer - New Feature: Optional 'Intrusive' Notifications - New Feature: Optional Micro-breaks - New Feature: Red icon when alerts are disabled - Many other minor bugs fixed v0.2 (released May 2008) - Program completely rewritten - Simplified Settings Interface - More RSI Tips - Setting / Tips now stored in XML documents - Enable / Disable button now on settings page V0.1 (released August 2006) - Initial Release 5. CONTACT INFORMATION ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Stretch Reminder Program Website: www.monkeymatt.com/bigstretch Email: me@monkeymatt.com Thanks for using the Big Stretch Reminder Program (C) 2023 MonkeyMatt.com