[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: Improving Time Management with the Windows Clock App

Tue Dec 3 15:06:23 PST 2024

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Do you use the Windows Clock?

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[WINDOWS] Improving Time Management with the Windows Clock App

Novice

[A blue sand hourglass sits on a laptop keyboard.]

When you're working throughout the day, you may glance down to view your computer's clock (visible in the lower right corner of your toolbar) to see what time it is, right? But did you know that your Windows clock app also contains useful features like an Alarm, Timer and Stopwatch?

There's even a World Clock to make computing different time zones easy!

A lot of people use these features on their mobile phones, but they're available on your computer ... and work the same!

The Alarm, Timer, and Stopwatch functions in the Windows Clock app serve different purposes from each other, and understanding their differences can help you use them effectively. Before we jump into how to access the Clock app options, let's take a look at each of the features.

BONUS! In the Clock app, there is a "Focus Sessions" option to help you concentrate on tasks. Watch for more on this feature in a future Tech-Talk article.

The Alarm

[Illustration of a red ringing alarm clock with two bells on top, sound waves depicted on both sides.]

Purpose: Alerts you at a specific time of day. It works in the background and triggers even if the app is closed (as long as the computer is on or in sleep mode, depending on settings).

Key Features:
·     Set Time - You choose the exact time (e.g., 7:00 AM) for an alert.
·     Recurring Option - Can repeat on selected days and times (e.g., weekdays at 12:30 pm).

Ideas for Uses:
·     Reminders so you won't be late for meetings or events.
·     Alarms to drink water or stand up and stretch during long periods at your desk.
·     Reminders to be sure you take a proper meal break, especially during busy days.
·     An alert to wrap up tasks before the end of your workday.

The Timer

[A clock showing 15 minutes, with the first quarter shaded in pink.]

Purpose: Counts down from a preset duration. It starts immediately after being set and ends with a sound when the time runs out.

Key Features:
·     Set Duration - You specify how long it runs (e.g., 15 minutes).
·     Single-Use - Triggers an alert once the time runs out.

Uses:
·     Incorporate the Pomodoro Technique<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yyEsgIk5LGQcpao3Ee-CGFKuVGywI9dZYCqcpa0QvCSYLMN6yD2Ye6Pe7Di7UBfDmPQZeMCpx0wucDAJ0mg2lwCUBkpXAjx75qnZpjC4kF0LD00FDPy7ImQNbjm4XxBbD7GGeWhZL0MjJItOBIpNxDpviQNpLsSve-zkIc2ALI-3Idn4fJ4onRPIuQ47CnCCz0i-5yf7vMuc6o4BUcD8NqaRka0-CLF0-RvgKLHYQCc=&c=prxYIaTQJFQ66z_mAPRvTApdppK4o8Tj1_oL54ahgyyowIzkoiENGw==&ch=O2xGLKkfCI8ClgzevTcCuwVa503zsSbkVPa59gnhl7iKAGJEPc30ew==> - Set a timer for 25-minute work intervals followed by a 5-minute break to maintain focus and avoid burnout.
·     Allocate a specific amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes) for a task to ensure it doesn’t overrun into other priorities.
·     Check your time while rehearsing to ensure your presentation fits within the allotted number of minutes.
·     Use a timer to stay within the allowed timeframe for calls or meetings.

Stopwatch

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/2bf6cd6d-d0ca-4991-bfaa-bf4c75e689d6.png]

Purpose: Tracks elapsed time without a preset limit. Runs until manually stopped or reset.

Key Feature: Start/Stop functionality begins when you click "Start" and pauses/stops on demand.

Uses:
·     Track how long a task or event takes.
·     Additionally, compare how long similar tasks take over time to assess efficiency improvements.

Summary of Each Option

Each tool is designed for unique timing needs, so you can pick the one that fits your task!

[A comparison table of alarm, timer, and stopwatch features including focus, start type, repeatability, and alert timing.]

Opening the Windows Clock App

To initiate using the app you can:
·     Search for it: In the search box type Clock, and select the app from the search results.
·     From the Start menu: Locate it in the alphabetical list of apps – under "C" for Clock.

Alarms and timers work even if the app is closed or your device is locked. If you see a warning that notifications only show if the device is awake, make sure your device doesn't go to sleep:

·     Windows 10: Go to Start, Settings, System, Power & sleep to adjust the sleep settings.
·     Windows 11: Go to Start, Settings, System, Power & battery to make adjustments.

TIP! If you use the Clock app regularly, you can pin it to the Taskbar for quick access. With the app open, find it in the toolbar, right-click and then select Pin to taskbar from the menu.

Using Each Feature

Set an Alarm:

1.  Go to the Alarms tab.
2.  Click the + button to create a new alarm.
3.  Adjust the time, days, sound, and alarm name.
4.  Click Save when done.

To toggle Alarms: Use the blue slider next to an alarm to turn it on/off.

[Alarm setting screen showing a new alarm for 11:55 AM with repeat days and sound options. Red arrow pointing to the plus button.]

Set a Timer:

1.  Go to the Timer tab.
2.  Click the + button, set the duration, and name the timer if desired.
3.  Click Play to start the timer.

TIP: You can run multiple timers simultaneously.

[Clock app interface showing a 30-minute timer set. The "Timer" option is highlighted on the left. A red arrow points to a plus icon.]

For Alarms or Timers:

When an alarm goes off or the timer elapses, you will see a pop-up window to notify you.
[Notification from Clock app displaying "Timer done" with the time 9:23 AM and a "Dismiss" button below.]

Start/Stop the Stopwatch:

1.  Go to the Stopwatch tab.
2.  Click Start to begin timing.
3.  Use the Lap button (flag icon) to record intervals/spits or Pause to stop.

Reset the stopwatch by clicking the Reset icon after stopping.

[Screenshot of a stopwatch app showing elapsed time of 19.64 seconds. A red arrow points to a blue pause button below the timer.]

Using the World Clock

If you work with colleagues in different time zones (or for family or friends), it can be confusing doing a quick calculation of what time it is in other areas of the world. You can add cities to your World Clock and quickly glance at it for an instant translation AND view several time zones at once with the "compare" view.

To add Locations:

1.  Go to the World Clock tab.
2.  Click the + button, type a city or location, and select it.
3.  The time for that location will appear on the map and list.
4.  Each location remains there unless you delete it.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/df88433b-fb76-4c5b-baff-924517048e78.png]

For the "Compare" view, click the icon in the lower right of the screen (as shown in the image above).

[Clock interface showing time differences for San Francisco, Denver, local time, and Seoul on November 24, 2024. Times listed from midnight to 8 a.m.]

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/e565d7d1-215e-487a-8e78-f332113e7825.jpg]

Communications: Writing & Talking

Avoid 'circular definitions'

The other day I received a scratch-off coupon for Kohl’s … and this time it was one of the rare 30% discounts! So I hopped on down to the store to take advantage of this opportunity. Surely, I could find something I needed, right?

When talking to the cashier, she alerted me to an extra benefit … Kohl’s Cash. “What is that?” I asked. “It’s the Kohl’s Cash program” she replied. Well that didn’t help. It added no value or clarity.

Eventually, I looked it up online. A better response from her would have been, “Kohl’s Cash is a rewards program that allows customers to earn store credit based on their purchases.”

In my subsequent research, I learned that this type of explanation is called Circular Definitions. It happens when a term is defined by repeating the word itself, leaving the reader confused and none the wiser. Instead, aim to provide a concise, descriptive definition that conveys the essence of the term.

Another example: Perhaps you don’t know what “mitochondria” means. If so, hearing, “Mitochondria are mitochondrial structures in cells” tells you nothing.

Instead, “Mitochondria are organelles within cells that generate energy by converting nutrients into ATP, the cell's energy currency.”

It’s good to avoid circular definitions in both writing and speaking.

More examples:

·     Rather than saying, “Encryption is the process of encrypting data,” You could say, “Encryption is a security technique that converts data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access.”

·     Instead of "Happiness is the feeling of being happy." Say: "Happiness is a state of well-being and contentment."

·     Rather than: "A sandwich is food made with sandwich ingredients." Say: "A sandwich is a meal made by placing fillings, such as meat, cheese, or vegetables, between two slices of bread."

If you want to communicate well be aware of this idea. Don’t assume people have prior knowledge about a topic so you can avoid circular definitions.

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