New In Version 3

Version 3 features a substantial rewrite of the original code base taking advantage of the latest Apple technologies and especially the new Swift programming language. We have taken the opportunity to rewrite large portions of the code.

The new user interface is much more streamlined and customizable.

New User Interface

The new user interface is divided into two sections:

The State View (on the left) shows you everything you can do in the current state. The Pad View (on the right) gives you access to a number of optional tools that make working with Vitamin-R even more effective.

The State View

The title section of the State View shows what state Vitamin-R is currently in, e.g. “Define Time Slice”.

Next to the title is a pull down menu that allows you to choose state-wide options. Here you can switch parts of the UI on and off to suit your own preferences and requirements. In some states, you can also choose alternative UIs for section of the view.

At the bottom of the State View are the default buttons that represent the actions that you will usually be expected to take to get to the next step.

Between the title and default button sections, you will see a number of controls that allow you to configure this or the next state, such as specifying durations, settings options, writing objectives, etc. Some of these sections have a cog wheel button to the right of the section title. You can customize the sections further using the options in the cog wheel button.

Pad View

On the right of the main window, you can choose to see one of a number of pads.

You choose which pad you want to see by clicking on the appropriate icon in the Pad Selector in the window title bar.

You can select between the:

If you click on the same icon twice, the Pad View is collapsed if you prefer a “leaner” look.

While the Pad View is open, it may be automatically switched to an appropriate pad. You can switch this off in the Title section of the respective state.

Profiles

At first launch, you are asked to choose between different technique, notification & continuous sound options to help you get off on the right foot.

Soft Breaks

Version no longer “steals” the focus as soon as the time slice elapses. Instead the arrival of the end of the time slice is announced by two tick sounds (or screen flashes), followed by a tock sound (or third flash) if the user has been inactive for 3 seconds already. The break will be delayed by up to 30 seconds until you stop mousing or typing for 3 consecutive seconds. You can easily extend the time slice by 1, 3, 5 or 10 minutes either in the main window or by right clicking on the R icon in the menu bar.

Rest Breaks Away From Your Mac

The “Prepare for Timed Break” now allows you to lock the screen during the breaks, forcing you to step away from the computer. This has major health benefits including repetitive strain injury prevention and more effective mental recovery.

Built-In Help

The new Help Pad makes it much easier to learn about both the product and the productivity techniques that it embodies while working.

Better Support for the Pomodoro Technique

You can now swap between traditional and Pomodoro-style break duration controls by clicking the “double arrow button” in the “Prepare Timed Break” state.

Vitamin-R now supports scheduling shorter and longer breaks such as the 5/ 5 /5 /25 minutes rhythm advocated by the Pomodoro Technique.

THe Profiles feature also makes it much easier to configure Vitamin-R for stricter adherence to the Pomodoro technique.

Some other changes

Define Time Slice Screen

Time Slice Running… Screen

Paused Screen

Rate Time Slice Screen

Prepare Timed Break Screen

Full Screen Lock Timed Break

Timed Break Screen

Informal Break Screen

Now, Later, & Scratch Pads

Log Book Pad

Statistics Pad

Help Pad:

Noise Machine:

Internal Changes:

Contents