new CountDown Timer (need opinions/feedback)
1 Attachment(s)
EDIT: updated to version 0.6 (see readme.txt below for changes)
I've written a CountDown Timer app and I'd like input/suggestions on features which should be changed or added. The attached zip includes the readme.txt file and the Desktop-installable files. If you'd like to install OTA, the link is: http://johnstoneham.com/bb/CountDown.jad For those installing OTA, I will paste the readme.txt here. PLEASE NOTE: Time entry is done as a single number, with 2-digit groups automagically parsed into HH MM SS (e.g. 130 is 1 minute 30 second). This is done so that the time can be entered quickly in one text-entry field, without having to change from an hours field to a minutes field to a seconds field (which always bugged me about setting the time on the built-in alarm). ALSO NOTE: The secondary alerts do not have a "seconds" part (e.g. a value of 2 for a secondary alert means 2 minutes, not 2 seconds). Anyway, let me know what you think, and I'll be looking forward to your suggestions! README.TXT Code:
COUNTDOWN TIMER |
I forgot to mention that this probably requires OS 4.0 (4.1 is definitely ok). The API docs say that the audio functions I'm using require 4.0 or higher, so I guess that's true. I have tested it on just about every model in the Simulator pack and it appears to work fine on them all, but I only have 1 "real" unit (a 7100t running 4.1).
If you test it and it works on your unit, please post a reply to this thread stating the model you have and your OS version if you know it, so I can keep track of what models it's known to work on. Thanks everyone! |
Just installed it and tried it on a 7100i with 4.1 and worked like a champ. Only thing is the alert tone could be a little louder.
Mike |
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Thanks
This is great for playing cards, (raising the blinds). Works great on my 7130e.
Thanks D. |
Very nice little app! I especially like that it's a very small application, eschewing a fancy interface for a no-nonsense countdown timer to save space. Does exactly what it's supposed to do, no more, no less.
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Features request:
May be a better time selection field and larger display of the count down. Also, ability to set alerts before the timer expires.. like if it is a 15min count down, I would like to set multiple alerts at 10, 5, 1 minutes, etc. This would be helpful for chairing time-limited talks, etc. P |
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This should be more convenient than starting at the very front or end of the field (like |2500 which it currently does, or 2500| which is the next best option). I've decided to stay with my original idea of not using separate fields for hours/minutes/seconds, for the reasons I've already explained. Quote:
Actually, I could probably do this as a user-selectable option, now that I think about it. So you could chose either a non-repeating x-minute warning or a repeating x-minute alert until the final alert sounds, or none. Let me know what you guys think. I may just go with this last idea, since it will be fairly easy to extend what I've already started. I'll wait a day or so for some more input before uploading the new version, but if no one responds I'll go with my last idea. Thanks for the input so far! |
I think you should have two optional sections for user to configure alerts before timer hits 0.
So they set their time, lets say 2500 then there is an Optional alert section with two areas that can be configured Sound alert at __x1__ time and then repeat every _x2__ time(s). Sound alert at __y1__ time and then repeat every _y2__ time(s). so for an example they could sound alert at 1500 and repeat 0 times then sound alert at 500 and repeat every minute. This gives the user the ability to set a "marker" so to speak but then a separate repeating interval. With your way I could only have one non repeating alert or a repeating one. So the user couldn't alert when 10 minutes are left and then every minute for the last 3. With the options above they could. and a user could enter a value for x1 or nothing else or x1, x2. or x1 y1. or x1, y1 y2. |
Hmmm, this sort of sounds like a cascading alert. I realize it's not what you meant exactly, but it is another nice idea (I think). For example, a cascading alert would sound whenever the remaining time is 50% of the elapsed time since the previous alert. So if you set the timer for 20 minutes, it would go off with 10 minutes remaining, then 5 more remaining, then 2.5 minutes remaining... etc. Of course there would have to be a cutoff at, for example, the 30 second mark.
Anyway, that's not exactly what you mean, but I like the idea so I may incorporate it as well. |
I've incorporated some of the suggested changes. See the first post in this thread for the updated readme.txt file which explains all the changes.
Enjoy! |
You need a reset timer menu item / button..
I also suggest a quick double-ESC to minimize (move to background).. |
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Ok, suggestions again incorporated into new version. See first post in thread.
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Perfect simple app. Thanks! It's a keeper.
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pretty cool utility. I never carry a watch, or a stopwatch...now this will come in handy for a ton of stuff.
Added this and the NFL tracker, both pretty awesome tools. Thanks! |
Great App, I've used it as timekeeper for my child's soccer games.
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1) Implementing the feature you describe requires code signing keys issued by RIM (and paid for by the developer). Since I'm releasing this free, I can't afford to pay for the keys. I guess if I was going to charge $59 for an app like ToDoMatrix, then maybe I would consider it as an option. 2) Even if I paid for the keys, this type of alert can only be set by the user outside the app by editing the device profiles. There is no way to select and play a device ringtone/tune directly within an app. Basically, the app itself cannot access the tunes on the device at all. For some reason, RIM just doesn't allow this. The way the above method works is the app issues a "play notification alert" command and whatever alert tune has been assigned in the user profile will play. And to do this requires the developer paying for code signing keys to get access to the necessary commands to create and access settings in the profiles. To me, this whole thing is idiotic. Let's say I wrote a countdown timer for Windows. Can you imagine having to open the Windows Control Panel and edit the system Sound Properties to assign a particular tune for the timer to play, instead of simply being able to assign it in the application itself? And on top of this, Microsoft charging the developer a fee for the privilege of using such a wonderful setup? That's just crazy! |
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