Revision 291635825 of "Xwrits" on enwiki

{{Infobox_Software
|name = xwrits
|operating_system = [[Linux]], [[Unix]]
|genre = [[Health]]
|license = [[GNU General Public License]] [http://directory.fsf.org/hobbies/health/]
|website = [http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/ www.lcdf.org/xwrits]
}}
{{Portal|Free software|Free Software Portal Logo.svg}}
'''xwrits''' is a [[Unix]]/[[X11]] [[software application]] which reminds computer users to take wrist breaks. This helps prevent them from developing or aggravating [[occupational disease]]s such as [[carpal tunnel syndrome]] and [[repetitive strain injury|repetitive strain injuries]]. Xwrits periodically locks the [[X Window System]] while a brightly-colored hand, alternately clenching and stretching as if in [[Pain and nociception|pain]], is displayed to remind the user to take a [[coffee break|break]]. Xwrits is highly customizable, though unlike [[Workrave]], xwrits can only be customized using [[command line]] options.

Here are some examples of the use of xwrits:

        xwrits

This starts xwrits. It reminds the user to take a 5-minute break after every 55 minutes of typing.

        xwrits breaktime=0:'''20''' typetime='''5''':00 +'''mouse''' +'''lock''' +lp='''/usr/share/firefox/res/arrow.gif'''
    +rp='''/usr/share/firefox/res/arrow.gif'''

This starts xwrits and sets it to monitor both the keyboard and the '''mouse'''. It reminds the user to take a '''20'''-second break after every '''5''' minutes of computer usage. Instead of just reminding the user to take a break, it '''lock'''s the screen so that the user cannot use the keyboard or mouse until 20 seconds have elapsed. When it locks and restores the screen, it shows the image '''/usr/share/firefox/res/arrow.gif''' (a black transparent [[GIF]]) instead of the standard jail bars, hand, and brightly-colored pointing-finger "OK" notification.

Similar RSI-prevention utilities include:
* [[Workrave]], which works on both [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[Linux]]
* [[RSIBreak]], works on [[Linux]]
* [http://tech.inhelsinki.nl/antirsi/ AntiRSI], works on [[Mac OS X]]
* the "Typing Break" feature in [[GNOME]] which can be enabled in the GNOME keyboard preference panel

== See also ==
* [[Repetitive strain injury]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits xwrits website]
* [http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/man.html xwrits manual page]
* [http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/9114 "Operating Your Body at Peak Performance"], a ''Linux Journal'' column about xwrits, RSIBreak, and Workrave

{{free-software-stub}}

[[Category:Health software]]
[[Category:Free software]]
[[Category:Overuse injuries]]
[[Category:Occupational diseases]]