____ _ ____ _ _ _ | __ )(_) __ _ / ___|| |_ _ __ ___| |_ ___| |__ | _ \| |/ _` | \___ \| __| '__/ _ \ __/ __| '_ \ | |_) | | (_| | ___) | |_| | | __/ || (__| | | | |____/|_|\__, | |____/ \__|_| \___|\__\___|_| |_| |___/ 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 which monitor you would like your reminders to appear - 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 (Windows 10 / Windows 11) The program can be uninstalled using any of the methods below. ------------------------------------------------------------ Option 1: Uninstall via Windows Settings (Recommended) 1. Open Settings 2. Select Apps 3. Choose Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10) 4. Locate Big Stretch Reminder in the list 5. Select Uninstall 6. Follow the on-screen instructions ------------------------------------------------------------ Option 2: Uninstall from the Start Menu 1. Open the Start Menu 2. Locate Big Stretch Reminder 3. Right-click the application 4. Select Uninstall 5. Follow the on-screen instructions ------------------------------------------------------------ Option 3: Uninstall from the Program Folder (Advanced) 1. Open the Start Menu 2. Navigate to Big Stretch Reminder 3. Select Open file location 4. Run the Uninstall Big Stretch Reminder program 5. Follow the on-screen instructions 4. VERSION HISTORY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.0 (released January 2026) - Added: Escalation mode: non-intrusive breaks then escalate if needed 2.9.2 (released December 2025) - Fixed: Regional format bug when reading settings 2.9.1 (released December 2025) - Fixed: Bug where the custom message list seems frozen v2.9 (released December 2025) - Added: Option to wait for user at the start or end of a micro-break - Added: Notifications follow the settings form location (preferred screen) - Enhancement: If option set, resuming from sleep resets timer - Enhancement: Better support for multiple screens - Enhancement: Better support for mixed DPI across multiple screens v2.8.2 (released November 2025) - Enhancement: Selected postpone time preserved v2.8.1 (released July 2025) - Fixed: Sound not playing at the end of a micro-break 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