# Can anyone recommend me a program that will beep every 20 minutes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 2, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447 "2010-02-02T22:46:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/1 "2010-02-02T22:46:13Z")
It doesn’t have to be every 20minutes. Ideally, the interval would be flexible. The important thing is that it just beeps, or makes some sound, and doesn’t require me to acknowledge it, like click anything, or close pop-up windows. Also that it doesn’t keep beeping for the entire minute. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/2 "2010-02-02T22:52:37Z")
No, but I’ve wanted something like this for years! I’d prefer an actual device like a kitchen timer, but a program would be great too. I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants one! ---
**Author:** ![Discipline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Discipline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discipline)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/3 "2010-02-02T22:57:36Z")
```auto int main() { int i; cout << "seconds:"; cin >> i; while (1) { printf("\a"); Sleep(i * 1000); } return 0; } ``` Edit: What would you plan to do with a program like this? ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/4 "2010-02-02T23:57:34Z")
There are programs distributed through groups like corporate health centers, to inspire people at keyboards to remember to stretch and avoid some musculoskeletal problems. Also, some wristwatches can be set to beep every half hour, sort of like grandfather clocks that would chime. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/5 "2010-02-03T01:39:38Z")
You didn’t state what OS you were using, but if you’re using Windows, I believe this will do everything you need it to do: [Egg - Compact Multifunction Timer | ACAPsoft - For software As Compact As Possible](http://www.acapsoft.com/det.php?prog=Egg) ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/6 "2010-02-03T03:04:19Z")
Train a road runnner! Meep meep! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/7 "2010-02-03T03:39:56Z")
To do this in Windows without installing any third-party software, paste the script below into a text file with a .vbs extension. Customize the value of the **strSoundFile** variable with the location of a sound file to play. Customize the value of the **intWait** variable with the time to wait between plays, in milliseconds. Running the script will wait the specified interval, play the sound, and repeat infinitely until wscript.exe is manually killed through Task Manager. ```auto strSoundFile = "C:\Windows\Media\Notify.wav" intWait = 1200000 Do WScript.Sleep intWait Set objShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell") strCommand = "sndrec32 /play /close " & chr(34) & strSoundFile & chr(34) objShell.Run strCommand, 0, True Loop ``` ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/8 "2010-02-03T06:38:58Z")
I keep getting the following error: ```auto Line:8 Char: 5 Error: The system cannot find the file specified Code: 80070002 Source: (null) ``` I’m on a Win 7 box, and it looks like sndrec32 is no longer part of the OS. I changed it to wmplayer and all was fine. I don’t know if there’s a more appropriate/lighter app for this. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/9 "2010-02-03T09:48:20Z")
From [Snapfiles](http://www.snapfiles.com/downloadfind.php?action=s&search.x=0&search.y=0&st=timer) A list of free timer programs may be of help. If you find a good one in the bunch let us know ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/10 "2010-02-03T09:54:31Z")
Perfect Alarm Clock for Windows will do this. I love this little program. You can set it to run anything you want. If you set it to play the default windows beep every 20 minutes, it will do exactly what you want. [http://download.cnet.com/Perfect-Alarm-Clock/3000-2350\_4-10431178.html](http://download.cnet.com/Perfect-Alarm-Clock/3000-2350_4-10431178.html) ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/11 "2010-02-03T11:58:02Z")
I use 1Time [http://www.sharewareconnection.com/1time.htm](http://www.sharewareconnection.com/1time.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/12 "2010-02-03T22:54:31Z")
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll give them a try. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/13 "2010-02-03T23:37:13Z")
Now you have to tell us why you want such a program! Come on, out with it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HorseloverFat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@HorseloverFat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorseloverFat)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/14 "2010-02-04T00:17:17Z")
Autohotkey - download the program from the website to either just run the script or right-click the script and select compile to make an .exe that runs on any windows computer Filename: beeper.ahk Code: > [@](#): > > ;this will beep every 20 mins > top: > SoundPlay \*-1 > sleep 1200000 > goto, top It will use the system speaker if external speakers are missing. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/15 "2010-02-04T00:31:29Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Now you have to tell us why you want such a program! Come on, out with it! 😉 I don’t know about **weedy** , but _I_ want one to remind me to stay focused. I _really_ could have used it when I was in school (and will need it again if I ever get around to applying to grad school) because my mind would often wander when I was studying, going off on a tangent from something I read. I could use it now for other tasks like cleaning the house or filing papers that cause me to be especially prone to distraction. People often suggested that I study with a timer to help plan my breaks better, but often when the timer would go off for a break I was either in a groove I didn’t want to break or I was already idling unconsciously and needed to get back to work, not take a break. Either way, stopping to reset a kitchen timer was a distraction. I just need a gentle reminder now and then that there is something I should be focused on, and I need the reminder _itself_ not to be a distraction. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/16 "2010-02-04T01:20:29Z")
I want it as a meditation/mindfulness reminder. The idea is that every so often, you stop what you are doing and focus on your breathing, and what’s going on, and check what your brain is up to. The time interval is up to you. If you have to stop and switch off or reset the alarm then what is going is you resetting the alarm, and your brain is thinking about that, so it’s not as helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-me-a-program-that-will-beep-every-20-minutes/527447/17 "2010-02-04T15:31:53Z")
That’s also a good use! With your username, I figured you needed to be reminded to relight the bong. 😉