I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the phone but
is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?

You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.

If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.

Any recommendations?

On 1/10/2024 4:58 PM, Jan K. wrote:
> I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the phone but
> is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?
>
> You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
> likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.
>
> If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.
>
> Any recommendations?

Why not make your own ?

As a very poor hobby programmer, I believe in "copy/paste" to make
software. For example, the first web page, helps you build a place to work.

# How to make a window appear on the screen, using MinGW32 for your development environment

https://www.transmissionzero.co.uk/computing/win32-apps-with-mingw/

# How to create a thread of execution for a clock

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/69414215/making-a-digital-clock-in-c

# This could be the kind of sleep function the previous program uses
# Normally sleep() takes seconds, but this one takes milliseconds.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/synchapi/nf-synchapi-sleep

You still have to figure out how to render text in a graphical window,
which will be a fun project on its own. You will undoubtedly find a
fixed font, and load that as some number of lines of defined constants
in the program, then copy those to make your numbers for the timer.

This is what I use for compiling. I keep mine in C:\MinGW .
To operate, I double click C:\MinGW\msys\1.0\msys.bat
and then compiling a program is gcc -o bobble.exe bobble.c

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MinGW

It beats going through the Windows Store to find something reasonable.
I located an item. The download for it was supposed to be 14.3MB.
For a timer :-) And it was unclear exactly what "permissions" it
was using or what resources it was going to use. When you write your
own, in vanilla C, the chances of accessing anything on the
computer are slim to none :-)

Paul

On 1/10/2024 4:58 PM, Jan K. wrote:
> I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the phone but
> is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?
>
> You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
> likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.
>
> If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.
>
> Any recommendations?
Windows 10 contains a Clock app. Just search

> I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the phone but
> is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?
>
> You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
> likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.
>
> If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.

SnapTimer (portable)
https://dan.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/index.php

W Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:01:20 -0600, kelown napisal:

> SnapTimer (portable)
> https://dan.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/index.php

Ding Dong. We have a match! It's a winner! Thank you!

SnapTimer is a simple, free, portable countdown timer for Windows.
https://dan.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/index.php
https://github.com/jaden/SnapTimer
https://cdn.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/SnapTimer.zip
Version: 0.1
Size: 1.48MB (3.15MB uncompressed)
MD5: C145A92254BBFC5C08F23BD74AA5B073
SHA-1: 7131F4C79038B8059F8EF16601077F075CFAD2DC
License: Freeware

All the timers I tested were too complex for my taste. I decided to write
one that was dead simple, so you could run it, type in a time and hit
enter. The aim of SnapTimer is to get out of the way and help you be
productive. It's fast, lightweight and simple to use, but powerful too.

A popular productivity strategy is to use a timer to do mini-sprints of
work. Using SnapTimer I've increased my productivity and reduced
procrastination. It's easier to get yourself to work on a difficult task
for 5 minutes because there's a known end point.

Features
Simple, clean interface
Displays time in the taskbar, as a hint in the tray and even in the
right-click menu of the tray icon.
Tray icons indicate the mode of the timer (running, paused, completed)
Multiple alert types - message box, tray icon popup, audio file and any
application
Stopwatch mode when you set minutes to 0
Play an optional ticking sound while the timer is running
Countdown can be paused and restarted, or reset
Portable (runs from your USB flash drive)
Can stay on top of other windows
No install required
Low RAM usage
Can automatically start counting down immediately
Includes over 20 loop-friendly alarm sounds (Meaning they'll play over and
over until you reset the timer)
Can automatically restart timer when it finishes
Lets you quickly and easily change the countdown time with mouse or
keyboard shortcuts
Automatically saves all settings (optional)
Accepts time as command line argument, so you can create preset timer
shortcuts or run the timer from a launcher (FARR, Launchy).
Can be minimized to tray
Supports multiple instances (You should disable always on top and probably
autosave settings as well)
Can be docked to a corner, in the center or restore the last screen
location
No internet access required
Doesn't write to your registry
No ads, spyware or malware
100% free

Tips
When the program starts, type the number of minutes (or leave the default),
then press Enter to start the countdown
To pause / reset the countdown:
Click the start / pause button
Click the tray icon
Click on the timer numerals
Double-click on the timer numerals to reset the countdown
Use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the number of minutes by
multiples of 5
Use the Escape (Esc) key to exit the program
Set the minutes to 0 to count up
Works on all versions of Windows, 32 and 64-bit.

SnapTimer is freeware and open source and can be used for private or
commercial use.

How to install: No installation required. Just unzip the downloaded archive
and run SnapTimer.exe

The source code is available on github
https://github.com/jaden/SnapTimer

On 10.01.24 22:58, Jan K. wrote:
> I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the phone but
> is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?
>
> You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
> likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.
>
> If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
1Time Download - Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm. Plays any ...
1time.software.informer.com › Productivity › Mind-mapping
11 Nov 2023 · 1Time (1Time.exe). Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm. Plays
any media file as an alarm, or user can opt for a silent alarm. Simple
and solid.

Google is your friend.

On 10.01.24 22:58, Jan K. wrote:
> I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the phone but
> is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?
>
> You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
> likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.
>
> If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
1Time Download - Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm. Plays any ...
1time.software.informer.com › Productivity › Mind-mapping
11 Nov 2023 · 1Time (1Time.exe). Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm. Plays
any media file as an alarm, or user can opt for a silent alarm. Simple
and solid.

Google is your friend.

On 1/10/2024 4:58 PM, Jan K. wrote:
> I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the phone but
> is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?
>
> You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
> likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.
>
> If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.
>
> Any recommendations?

Free Countdown Timer https://free-countdown.com

W Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:11:16 -0500, TPayne napisal:

> Free Countdown Timer https://free-countdown.com

Thanks for that countdown timer suggestion.

In order for it to run 365 days a year, it must do "something" to the
Windows startup, but I didn't see any notes or warnings about that???

How does it do a multi-day timer without autostarting with Windows?

It's a lot more complicated but it can set a timer in the future.
And it can load instructions from a file (and save back to a file).
Plus it has a note feature, in case you forget why you had set it.
And it can wake up Windows from sleep mode if it needs to do that.

https://free-countdown.com
A free, full-featured, and lightweight countdown timer for Windows
Version: 5.2
Released: January 20, 2022
Supported Operating Systems:
Microsoft Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

https://free-countdown.com/FreeCountdownTimerPortable.zip
Name: FreeCountdownTimerPortable.zip
Size: 4878585 bytes (4764 KiB)
SHA256: 7AF1FDB67056AB2C9553DD8E15C57DEA60CCA1E5C94A068B99D0C106FB199294

https://free-countdown.com/FreeCountdownTimerSetup.exe
Name: FreeCountdownTimerSetup.exe
Size: 4758456 bytes (4646 KiB)
SHA256: 8699D7890F44CA0A7FA44796886DD9129D2F621D15E78043667D7A8E297F4908

Free Countdown Timer is freeware. This program allows you to set as many
countdown timers as you want. The countdown timer tracks the amount of time
till the specified event. You can fully concentrate on the task at hand
while waiting for a future task to be ready for action. The timer reminds
you about the event by playing your favorite music and showing a
notification message.

What holiday is coming up? Never forget a holiday anymore with a free
countdown timer.

Here are some ideas for a countdown clock:

Expert Tea Steeping
Appointment Reminder
Break Timer
Cooking Timer
Birthday Countdown Timer
Graduation Countdown Timer
Pregnancy Countdown Timer
Sports Countdown Timer
Vacation Countdown Timer
Wedding Countdown Timer
Christmas Countdown Timer
Halloween Countdown Timer
New Year Countdown Timer
Saint Patrick's Day Countdown Timer
Thanksgiving Countdown Timer
Valentine's Day Countdown Timer

After you set the time, date, and sound for each timer, you can use a text
field to write a note to yourself as a reminder about the timer's purpose.

Floating timers
Free Countdown Timer can play music files

You can select the sound you want for a timer. Free Countdown Timer comes
with several sounds and offers full access to your music library.
Free Countdown Timer offers a number of convenience features

The timer wakes up your system from Sleep mode.
The timer will automatically turn up the volume
if you have it on mute by accident and set a predefined volume level.
You can put Free Countdown Timer on a flash drive and run it directly
from there. In this way, all your timers will always be with you;
the settings will be stored in the file Data.ini.
Download: Free Countdown Timer Portable
Just extract it to any folder where you want to store it
and run FreeCountdownTimer.exe in order to launch the program.

Jan K. wrote:

> SnapTimer is a simple, free, portable countdown timer for Windows.

There are also countup timers, otherwise known as stopwatches.
https://free-stopwatch.com/

On 10/1/2024, Sjouke Burry wrote:

> 1Time Download - Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm. Plays any ...
> 1time.software.informer.com › Productivity › Mind-mapping
> 11 Nov 2023 · 1Time (1Time.exe). Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm.
> Google is your friend.

You might want to remove that app as the developer's web site is dead.
https://www.atma-software.com/

Rathger suspicious copies are available all over the place.
Different hashes though. And the website does suspicious things.

https://1time.software.informer.com/
https://1time.software.informer.com/download/#download_content
https://download.informer.com/win-1193248820-54ef5db-61fb9024-6e54de38f2f3818a17-a1f4857c646a4a2c4-276233530-1192883321/1timesetup.exe
Name: 1timesetup.exe
Size: 453271 bytes (442 KiB)
SHA256: 830CDED1C163ACF07DC8A721A639A34E51BA4ED4FA5A8E6275E50E45F6233E2D

Uses an old installer & puts it into C:\Program Files (x86)\1Time
Microsoft Windows complains about the publisher when you install it.

Once started, it cannot be moved. It's in the center of the desktop.
The only thing you can do with it is make it an icon on the taskbar.
Or pause it. Or kill it. But you can't move it. That's all you can do.

[snip]

> Once started, it cannot be moved. It's in the center of the desktop.
> The only thing you can do with it is make it an icon on the taskbar.
> Or pause it. Or kill it. But you can't move it. That's all you can do.

I call that a stupid decision. Put it in the CENTER where it's most
likely to interfere with other windows you want open. The worst choice.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"A computer without Microsoft Windows is like chocolate cake without the
mustard."

>> Once started, it cannot be moved. It's in the center of the desktop.
>> The only thing you can do with it is make it an icon on the taskbar.
>> Or pause it. Or kill it. But you can't move it. That's all you can do.
>
> I call that a stupid decision. Put it in the CENTER where it's most
> likely to interfere with other windows you want open. The worst choice.

Not sure which app you're referring to, but couldn't you simply minimize
it while waiting?

On 1/15/24 09:17, kelown wrote:
>
>>> Once started, it cannot be moved. It's in the center of the desktop.
>>> The only thing you can do with it is make it an icon on the taskbar.
>>> Or pause it. Or kill it. But you can't move it. That's all you can do.
>>
>> I call that a stupid decision. Put it in the CENTER where it's most
>> likely to interfere with other windows you want open. The worst choice.
>
> Not sure which app you're referring to, but couldn't you simply minimize
> it while waiting?

Sorry for not including enough information.

I'm referring to a timer app, which displays a small window that you
might like to look at at times, while at the same time having another
window (most likely a web browser) open. Putting the app window in the
middle of the screen limits the size of the space available for opening
the other window. Since I want to SEE the timer window so I can tell how
much time is remaining, minimizing it is not the solution.

The middle is the worst choice. A corner would be better. Consider that
putting it in the middle (rather than a corner) will halve the available
space in one dimension.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to
bruise than polish."

Mark Lloyd <not.email@all.invalid> wrote:
> On 1/15/24 09:17, kelown wrote:
> >
> >>> Once started, it cannot be moved. It's in the center of the desktop.
> >>> The only thing you can do with it is make it an icon on the taskbar.
> >>> Or pause it. Or kill it. But you can't move it. That's all you can do.
> >>
> >> I call that a stupid decision. Put it in the CENTER where it's most
> >> likely to interfere with other windows you want open. The worst choice.
> >
> > Not sure which app you're referring to, but couldn't you simply minimize
> > it while waiting?
>
> Sorry for not including enough information.
>
> I'm referring to a timer app, which displays a small window that you
> might like to look at at times, while at the same time having another
> window (most likely a web browser) open. Putting the app window in the
> middle of the screen limits the size of the space available for opening
> the other window. Since I want to SEE the timer window so I can tell how
> much time is remaining, minimizing it is not the solution.
>
> The middle is the worst choice. A corner would be better. Consider that
> putting it in the middle (rather than a corner) will halve the available
> space in one dimension.

I think the standard Windows 'Clock' app which Zaidy mentioned can do
what you want.

Once you have started a Timer, you can click the 'Keep on top' icon -
the small icon [1] in the upper-right corner of the timer pane - and
that will put a small timer window in the upper-right corner of your
screen. You can drag that small windows to anywhere on the screen.

While it's a small window, you can do normal timer operations like
Pause/Start and Reset, but you can not change the length of the timer
(HH:MM:SS). For that, you have to go 'Back to full view'.

N.B. I tested this on Windows 11 - can't bother my wife at the moment,
to try it on 10, but I think 10 has the same app.

[1] Icon of a screen with a window in the upper-right and an arrow in
the bottom-left.

>>>> Once started, it cannot be moved. It's in the center of the desktop.
>>>> The only thing you can do with it is make it an icon on the taskbar.
>>>> Or pause it. Or kill it. But you can't move it. That's all you can do.
>>>
>>> I call that a stupid decision. Put it in the CENTER where it's most
>>> likely to interfere with other windows you want open. The worst choice.
>>
>> Not sure which app you're referring to, but couldn't you simply
>> minimize it while waiting?

> I'm referring to a timer app

Not all timer apps behave the way you're describing so an exact name
would have been helpful. For example, the previously mentioned Snap
Timer, which I use, allows one to freely move the app around the screen,
or it can be set to anchor to the last position, or to the corners or
the center of the screen.

On 15/1/2024, kelown wrote:

> Not all timer apps behave the way you're describing

There are two kinds of timers (countdown & countup) in addition to clocks
and alarms, and there are two underlying methods they keep track of time
(some change with system time & others are independent of the time).

As an example, these are countdown timers (ie alarms).
https://sourceforge.net/projects/countdowntimer/
https://free-countdown.com
https://freetimer.en.softonic.com/
https://dan.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/index.php

And as an example, these are countup timers (ie stopwatches).
https://free-stopwatch.com/
https://1time.software.informer.com/

These are both countdown timers (alarms) & countup timers (stopwatches).
https://sourceforge.net/projects/watchtheclock/
http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/

These timers depending on the system clock (and change with the system).
https://free-countdown.com
https://free-stopwatch.com/
https://1time.software.informer.com/

These timers keep track of time independent of the system clock.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/watchtheclock/
http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/
https://freetimer.en.softonic.com/
https://dan.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/index.php

The easiest test of whether they have an independent or dependent internal
timer is to start the app and then change the system time zone. Those which
depend on the system clock will instantly change their time to a new time.

Those with independent internal clocks will not change with the time zone.

On 11/01/2024 05:27, Sjouke Burry wrote:
> On 10.01.24 22:58, Jan K. wrote:
>> I often set a quick really easy to set & start alarm timer on the
>> phone but
>> is there something similarly easy to use for a sand timer on Windows?
>>
>> You set it for five minutes and it remembers that because you're more
>> likely to re-use it when it's easy and quick to start.
>>
>> If you need to change it to three minutes, that's easy too.
>>
>> Any recommendations?
>>
> 1Time Download - Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm. Plays any ...
> 1time.software.informer.com › Productivity › Mind-mapping
> 11 Nov 2023 · 1Time (1Time.exe). Stopwatch/countdown timer/alarm. Plays
> any media file as an alarm, or user can opt for a silent alarm. Simple
> and solid.
>
> Google is your friend.

Ok, followed the breadcrumb trail to ...

1Time 2.2
- https://1time.software.informer.com/

The developer's home page (Atma Software)is no longer available.

Not to be confused with 1Time Time Tracking software who have a free
version of their completely different programme
- https://1timetracking.com/

--
Regards
wasbit

On 15/01/2024 18:18, Mark Lloyd wrote:
> On 1/15/24 09:17, kelown wrote:
>>
>>>> Once started, it cannot be moved. It's in the center of the desktop.
>>>> The only thing you can do with it is make it an icon on the taskbar.
>>>> Or pause it. Or kill it. But you can't move it. That's all you can do.
>>>
>>> I call that a stupid decision. Put it in the CENTER where it's most
>>> likely to interfere with other windows you want open. The worst choice.
>>
>> Not sure which app you're referring to, but couldn't you simply
>> minimize it while waiting?
>
> Sorry for not including enough information.
>
> I'm referring to a timer app, which displays a small window that you
> might like to look at at times, while at the same time having another
> window (most likely a web browser) open. Putting the app window in the
> middle of the screen limits the size of the space available for opening
> the other window. Since I want to SEE the timer window so I can tell how
> much time is remaining, minimizing it is not the solution.
>
> The middle is the worst choice. A corner would be better. Consider that
> putting it in the middle (rather than a corner) will halve the available
> space in one dimension.
>

You still haven't given enough information about which programme you are
referring to.

I've added it in a reply to the OP.

1Time 2.2
- https://1time.software.informer.com/

--
Regards
wasbit

On Mon, 15 Jan 2024 22:41:54 -0600, Frankie wrote:
> There are two kinds of timers (countdown & countup) in addition to clocks
> and alarms, and there are two underlying methods they keep track of time
> (some change with system time & others are independent of the time).
>
> As an example, these are countdown timers (ie alarms).
> https://sourceforge.net/projects/countdowntimer/
> https://free-countdown.com
> https://freetimer.en.softonic.com/
> https://dan.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/index.php
>
> And as an example, these are countup timers (ie stopwatches).
> https://free-stopwatch.com/
> https://1time.software.informer.com/
>
> These are both countdown timers (alarms) & countup timers (stopwatches).
> https://sourceforge.net/projects/watchtheclock/
> http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/
>
> These timers depending on the system clock (and change with the system).
> https://free-countdown.com
> https://free-stopwatch.com/
> https://1time.software.informer.com/
>
> These timers keep track of time independent of the system clock.
> https://sourceforge.net/projects/watchtheclock/
> http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/
> https://freetimer.en.softonic.com/
> https://dan.hersam.com/software/snaptimer/index.php
>
> The easiest test of whether they have an independent or dependent internal
> timer is to start the app and then change the system time zone. Those which
> depend on the system clock will instantly change their time to a new time.
>
> Those with independent internal clocks will not change with the time zone.

There is only one count-up timer stopwatch & count-down timer alarm & clock
in that list which is independent of system time changes & machine reboots.
http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/

I use it to track how long a propane heater is running on each one-pound
tank of propane fuel, where I average about 4hrs 10min set to low in a span
of a few days of intermittent sporadic use to keep me warm during winter.

It's the most versatile stopwatch/alarm/clock database in that list (IMHO).
Web: http://www.XNoteStopwatch.com
Forum: http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/forum/
Contact: http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/contact.html
E-Mail: support@xnotestopwatch.com

For example, I've refilled twenty one-pound propane canisters from my
twenty-pound propane tank where Excel tracks how long each of them lasts.

When I reboot the laptop, it remembers the previous runtime & starts from
there, and it is immune to any changes in the system clock such as TZone.

While it can use external time sources (such as the Windows Media Player or
another XNote Stopwatch instance), I let it run on its own for time of use.

My use model in that Microsoft Office Excel tracking mode is I start the
xnsw.exe timer when the portable heater is turned on. Invariably when I
turn the Mr. Buddy Portable Buddy heater off (as it gets too hot fast!)
I tap the "Snap" button in the XNote Stopwatch timer to automatically
populate the next field in the targeted Excel spreadsheet {A1 -> A2 -> A3}.
http://www.xnotestopwatch.com/stopwatch_excel.png