BrainPlsWork
Productivity
pomodoro timer
SHOW HN2023
329points
129comments
#124of 3,109 in 2023
Top 4%of 2023 by points
How HN took it
DebatedReal support and real criticism
19 positive, 28 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 18 critical, out of 65 comments about the project. Thread score +0.11.
Design: 9 for, 9 againstIdea: 4 for, 7 againstExecution: 2 for, 1 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Clean, simple interface
From 3 comments
Nice job with this! I love the clean/minimum interface. It doesn't seem to chime or notify when done? How do you use it to know when time has run out? One thing I've wanted from…
duck on HNSimple and easy to use. Nice execution! I also appreciate the dark mode.
tailspin2019 on HNGonna say, seeing the "worked time" is actually really helpful to put me back on task. "What, I've only done 14 minutes?"
fallat on HN
Dark mode appreciated
From 2 comments
Simple and easy to use. Nice execution! I also appreciate the dark mode.
tailspin2019 on HNdark mode: [x] no ad banner: [x] works as intended: [x] Well done, sir.
shironononon on HN
Domain name is memorable and praised
From 3 comments
Best. URL. Ever.
flir on HNI love the domain name :D
cglong on HNI love the domain name. Take my vote.
joemazerino on HN
Objections
Browser tab is easy to lose; a native or taskbar app would be more visible
From 4 comments
No offense author, but what is specifically ADHD related in this timer? Actually I'd argue that it is ADHD unfriendly because it is in the web browser. So now I need to open a…
Yizahi on HN> It's designed to be somewhere in view of the person using it. Then it really shouldn't be a browser app, it needs to be a local app that runs in the taskbar. I've made two of…
lelanthran on HNI would package this as a local nativefier app and have it running as a dedicated app/window for it to make sense for me.. This as a browser tab would just get lost. Is there…
rmdes on HNFor me it would make more sense as a (native) desktop app, personally I like the idea of attention / flow timers but not if they're another browser tab (or electron app.
smcleod on HN
No notifications or sound when timer ends
From 3 comments
No offense author, but what is specifically ADHD related in this timer? Actually I'd argue that it is ADHD unfriendly because it is in the web browser. So now I need to open a…
Yizahi on HNNice job with this! I love the clean/minimum interface. It doesn't seem to chime or notify when done? How do you use it to know when time has run out? One thing I've wanted from…
duck on HNNice and clean! Does it allow for notifications?
arco1991 on HN
Timer ticking causes anxiety
From 2 comments
Haha love the URL. Great concept - will use. Just an idea, I get anxious looking at the time ticking like that. Maybe run the clock in the background but for the UI, show a color…
warrendlee1 on HNNicely done. Does anyone else get anxiety from watching the timer get close to 0 and not being nearly done with you've set out to do in the pomo?
tra3 on HN
Requests
Show time remaining in page title or favicon
From 2 comments
aren't pom's 20-25 min, not 60 min by default? the two green and blue choices are confusing, i didn't realize one was break and the other was work until i started a test session.…
poisonarena on HNA suggestion I have (as a time-blind ADHD person): try to hijack the browsers’ Picture in Picture mode, or display a timer icon in the window bar or tab favicon. Unless you keep…
vineyardmike on HN
Add notifications or a PWA install
From 2 comments
Maybe you can try turning it into a progressive web app so it can be installed and receive notifications
Ragii on HNNice and clean! Does it allow for notifications?
arco1991 on HN
Add ambient sounds during work sessions
From 1 comment
The URL is very interesting :)) As someone with ADHD, I think that simplicity is key when it comes to ADHD-friendly tools. I love the the simplicity of the app. However, one…
quangpham on HN
Add a short two-minute rest timer
From 1 comment
It would be great to have a two minute rest timer though. As a fellow ADHD patient, I normally goes (10+2)x5
zhuowei18 on HN
Questions
Why is this ADHD-specific?
From 2 comments
No offense author, but what is specifically ADHD related in this timer? Actually I'd argue that it is ADHD unfriendly because it is in the web browser. So now I need to open a…
Yizahi on HNWhat makes this ADHD friendly? Also, as you prob know, there are multiple free/FOSS native taskbar based pomodoro apps that really get out the way, what is the advantage of using…
dotBen on HN
Does it run in the correct local timezone?
From 1 comment
Does this thing run in UTC? I'm in the Europe/Copenhagen timezone (currently UTC+2) and the web app shows a time two hours behind localtime (and my pc is having the correct time…
kseistrup on HN
Alternatives named
Native taskbar Pomodoro apps
From 1 comment
What makes this ADHD friendly? Also, as you prob know, there are multiple free/FOSS native taskbar based pomodoro apps that really get out the way, what is the advantage of using…
dotBen on HN
Pomofocus
From 1 comment
https://pomofocus.io/app is similar (but with satisfying sounds!)
jstx1 on HN
WorkRave
From 1 comment
I found a work/rest timer like yours work really well for me. I use WorkRave which is free, available on all OSes and even locks keyboard for you after work timer is complete…
coolspot on HN
Forest
From 1 comment
The best timer, I feel, is Forest, though it doesn't actually intend to be a timer, but since I work on a laptop 24x7, it reminds me to focus on my task if I open YouTube or…
anshumankmr on HN
Freedom
From 1 comment
If you struggle with distraction or discipline, you must get http://freedom.to on your devices. It is simple, easy, effective, and the single best ROI of any app I have ever paid…
23B1 on HN