GeekSugar

Download of the Day: Apimac Timer

GeekSugar — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:15:25 PST

Even though the time is constantly displayed in the upper righthand corner of my Mac, I sometimes find the day completely getting away from me - plus, I tend to work better under pressure. I'm really excited about the latest version of the Apimac Timer, which can be used as a stopwatch, countdown timer, or alarm clock. Want to set a 30-minute limit on your lunchtime web surfing? Just set the countdown for 30 minutes. Want to see how long it takes you to accomplish a certain task? Set the stopwatch. (There's something pretty exciting about working against the clock, don't you think?)

To find out what else is cool about the Apimac Timer, just

read more. My favorite feature of this alarm in particular is that you can set it to play any song from your iTunes library instead of some random or annoying alarm clock sound. In addition to song-playing, you can also set the alarm to announce the time or play any sound file, and if you upgrade to the pro version of the application for $30, you can set many of the computer's functions to a timer, like sending emails, restarting or shutting down the computer, and more. If you don't have an Apple computer, I've mentioned this timer widget for your desktop - also helpful for increasing productivity. Have you found a cool download-worthy treasure you'd like to share with the rest of us? Create a PopSugar Account or log in to your account. Then join the Download of the Day group where you can submit your favorite downloads and widgets. And you never know, it could be featured on GeekSugar! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Geek Tip: Use Your Phone's Alarm When Cooking

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:15:29 PST

Last week, I was right in the middle of preparing my first from-scratch apple pie in a crowded kitchen - all that stood between my friends, family, and the sweet deliciousness of said pie was 50 minutes in the oven. I popped it in the oven and started to set the timer when a family member stopped me - she was using the timer for her potatoes, boiling away on the stove. I glanced at the clock trying to make a mental note of the time so I'd remember when to pull the pie out of the oven, but between visits with some of my favorite people (who I hadn't seen since last Thanksgiving), the football game on TV, and general Thanksgiving merriment, I was worried I'd forget about the pie.

I wish I could take credit for this tip, but it was actually my sister who said, "Why don't you just set your phone's alarm? You have it in your pocket, don't you?" Genius! She was right: of course I had my phone in my pocket. The iPhone has a timer function, and if you have a BlackBerry you can download a timer app, but you can use the alarm on any phone with the same result.

Have to say, I'm pretty excited I "discovered" this idea right before the start of Christmas cookie-baking season.

Geek Tip: Use a Dashboard Timer to Set Surfing Limits

GeekSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:03:21 PDT

Although part of my job is to surf daily news and other blogs, I do sometimes find myself knee deep in tabs to websites that have nothing to do with what I'm working on. . . and most (naturally) are total time wasters. Although everyone deserves a little bit of a mind break, it's easy to get sucked into surfing the web – before you know it, it's 4:30 and you still have a mountain of work to finish!

So for the times when I just want to let my fingers aimlessly click away, I like to use a dashboard or desktop timer - like this free one from Baldgeeks – and give myself a set time to waste. Whether it be five or fifteen minutes, I'll know when my time is up. Plus, it's much easier for me to get back to the daily grind after a quick check-in to see what Brad and Angie are up to. Don't ask why, it just is.

Put a Timer On Your BlackBerry, For Free!

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:00:09 PDT

I'm kind of a timer fanatic. I set my timer when I put my laundry in the wash, I set my timer when I put the chicken in the oven . . . you get my point. So when I found out about this free BlackBerry timer download, I knew my life wouldn't be the same without it. The Countdown Timer For BlackBerry is a simple app that gives you handy timer functionality on your BB. It also includes a 2.5-second vibrate that lets you know when your time is almost up.

To get it on your phone, just open this link on your BlackBerry browser, and a pop up should appear for the download to begin.

Geek Tip: Get Friendly Reminders Via Twitter

GeekSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:00:14 PDT

I love my online to-do lists and receiving text message reminders on my cell phone with Oh Don't Forget, so when I learned that Twitter has a new reminder service, I jumped right on board. With Twitter timer you can get a direct message sent to you at anytime to remind you to do something. Featured on Lifehacker, all Twitter users can get regular "tweet" reminders sent to their inbox or cell phone. I no longer have excuses for working through meetings and coffee dates.

Never Wonder How Old It Is Again

YumSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 03:38:19 PDT

You've probably opened a carton of chicken broth, soy milk, or juice, used a little bit, put it in your fridge and forgotten about it. Now you've got a recipe calling for one of those ingredients, and you've got the ingredients in your fridge, but are they still good?

When did I open that chicken broth? How long has this soy milk been in the fridge? Was this deli meat from this week or last? With the DaysAgo Digital Day Counter, you'll never have to ask yourself these questions again. Just stick one of these handy little timers to the side of the package, turn it on and let it go. The timer counts both days and hours and the replaceable batteries can run for 18 months (although it only counts up to 99 days). Available in packs of two for $10.

How Many Days Ago Did I Put That in There?

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:15:00 PDT

If your indication of when food has gone bad is a fuzzy, green (and smelly) blanket over it, then you may want to consider getting one of these...

The DaysAgo Digital Day Counter ($10.00 for two) is a digital day counter that attaches to a variety of surfaces with a magnetic or suction backing and counts up to 99 days. It's a simple gadget that is re-usable, versatile and helps you save money while saving you from playing the guessing game as to how old those leftovers are. You can use it on practically any kind of food container. No more wondering if you're going to get sick from that leftover fish from two days ago? Or if that milk smells funny for a reason other than your paranoia?

Buy it online from HowManyDaysAgo.com and check out the this food guide from the US Food and Drug Administration on how long you can safely store common foods.

Trailblazers: First-Time Westminster Best in Show Winners

Sara Yoo — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 PST

Last year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show winner Hickory was the first of her breed, the Scottish deerhound, to win the coveted best in show prize. She's among quite a number of first-timers in the show's 105-year history who will (hopefully!) pave the way for more of their kind. We think that every breed deserves a prize for being cute and unique and we envy the group of judges who ultimately must select the one winner! Who do you think will be top dog in next week's 2012 Westminster?

From the Community: Everything You Need to Know About Tabata Training

Fit Community — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:24:34 PST

FitSugar community member (and fitness instructor) livinginthin gives us a primer on Tabata training, a type of high-intensity interval workout.

You've probably heard the word Tabata by now (and if you haven't, you will!). So what exactly is this hot new fitness trend, and why you should care about it?

What is Tabata?

The term Tabata was coined after the Japanese researcher Dr. Izumi Tabata, who compared the effectiveness of short, very high-intensity training (bursts of maximal effort for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of recovery, repeated for four minutes in total) to a traditional 60-minute aerobic workout.

Who should do it?

Anyone looking to amp up their fitness level, maximize their cardio time, burn more calories, and blast off more fat in way less time. The key to a successful Tabata session is being able to hit the high levels of intensity (the participants in the Tabata study worked at 170 percent of their VO2 Max - that's killer!). If you are new to exercise, or returning after a long hiatus, you may want to progress slowly with trying a Tabata workout.

Learn more about Tabata, after the break!

From the Community: New to Group Exercise Classes? 4 Helpful Tips From an Instructor

Fit Community — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:15:33 PST

No need to be nervous about taking your fitness class: FitSugar community member (and fitness instructor) livinginthin has some helpful tips to help you navigate your way through the workout.

Did you just join a gym? Good for you! Group fitness classes can be a fun and effective way to get into an exercise program, but venturing into that loud, crowded room for the first time can be pretty intimidating! As an instructor for the past ten years, I’ve seen many first timers take a class once and never come back. If you are just starting out, here are a few tips to ensure a successful experience in the group exercise studio (and keep you coming back for more):

Let me know it’s your first time: A good instructor should be available a few minutes before class (either in the hall or in the room), so please be sure to let us know it’s your first time. We may be able to give you some tips on how to get the most out of the day’s workout, tell you what equipment you’ll need, etc.

Stand in the middle of the room.: If you are new to class, I need to see you to watch your form, so please don’t hide in the back row. On the same token, don’t stand in the front row either - you’ll want to be able to follow some seasoned exercisers, and the front row usually consists of regulars who have been taking the class for years, and can be very helpful to visually follow when I am walking around the room to help students.

See more tips on taking your first fitness class after the break!