Breaking Reminders with a Hamster: A Step-by-Step Guide

I’m guilty of ignoring break reminders. They’re just a nagging voice in the background, reminding me that I’ve been staring at code for hours. So, I built a hamster that hijacks my screen. It’s a thing of beauty, and it’s saved me from burnout more times than I can count.

The Problem with Break Reminders #

Break reminders are great in theory, but they’re a pain in practice. They pop up at the most inopportune moments, and they’re just so… annoying. I’m not alone in this feeling. As u/throwaway12345678 put it, “I’ve tried every break reminder app under the sun, and they all suck.” I’m not sure about you, but I’m with u/throwaway on this one.

Meet the Hamster #

The hamster is a simple script that runs in the background, waiting for you to hit a certain threshold of focus. When that happens, it hijacks your screen and forces you to take a break. It’s a bit overkill for most people, but if you’re like me and have a tendency to get sucked into coding marathons, it’s a lifesaver.

Requirements #

• A Linux machine (I’m using Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)
• xorg and xdotool installed
• A hamster figurine (optional, but highly recommended)

Setup #

First, you’ll need to install xdotool. You can do this with the following command:

sudo apt-get install xdotool

Next, you’ll need to create a script to run the hamster. I’m using a Python script, but you can use whatever language you prefer. Here’s the script I’m using:

import time
import os
# Set the threshold for focus (in minutes)
threshold = 60
# Set the break time (in minutes)
break_time = 10
while True:
    # Get the current focus time
    focus_time = os.popen("xrestop | grep -i 'focus'").read().splitlines()[0].split()[1]
    # Check if we've hit the threshold
    if float(focus_time) >= threshold:
        # Hijack the screen
        os.system("xdotool key --window %d 'alt+f4'" % os.getpid())
        # Wait for the break time
        time.sleep(break_time * 60)
        # Unhijack the screen
        os.system("xdotool key --window %d 'alt+f4'" % os.getpid())

Save this script to a file (I’m using hamster.py) and make it executable with the following command:

chmod +x hamster.py

Running the Hamster #

To run the hamster, simply execute the script with the following command:

./hamster.py

This will start the hamster, which will run in the background and hijack your screen when you hit the threshold.

Tips and Variations #

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can customize the hamster to fit your needs. For example, you can change the threshold and break time to suit your work style. You can also add additional features, such as a countdown timer or a reminder to stretch. As u/sideprojecter pointed out, “You can also use a Raspberry Pi to run the hamster, which would be a great way to add some extra functionality.” I haven’t tested this on ARM, but it’s definitely an option if you’re feeling adventurous.

Conclusion #

The hamster is a simple solution to a complex problem. It’s not perfect, but it’s saved me from burnout more times than I can count. If you’re like me and have a tendency to get sucked into coding marathons, it’s definitely worth a try. FAQ

• Q: Will the hamster work on Windows? A: Unfortunately, the hamster is designed to work on Linux only. However, you can use a similar script to achieve the same result on Windows.
• Q: Can I customize the hamster to fit my needs? A: Absolutely! You can change the threshold and break time to suit your work style, and you can also add additional features, such as a countdown timer or a reminder to stretch.
• Q: Is the hamster safe to use? A: The hamster is designed to be safe to use, but as with any script that interacts with your system, there is a small risk of something going wrong. Make sure to test the script thoroughly before using it in production.