Computer Tips From A Computer Guy

ManicTime – Personal time management software

Posted: 08 Jun 2009 03:00 AM PDT

Have you ever turn on a computer, used it for a while, turned it off it again and didn't have any idea of where your all your precious time went? If you ever experienced similar problems like this, ManicTime is the right software for you.

ManicTime defines itself as a personal time management software that tracks your computer activities automatically. When it says it “personal” and “time management”, it certainly will benefit you, the end user.

ManicTime works out of the box. Download, install it as any normal Windows app and it will silently works in the background, tracking what you did from time to time. Some of the features of ManicTime are:

Automatic collection of computer usage data. You can proceed with computer activities without realizing ManicTime working its wonders behind the curtains.
Local data storage. Privacy wise, only you or another persons that have access to your computer can read your personal computer usage information.

Separate tracking of three cool things in timeline format:
- Activity - tracks your active time (whenever you are using your computer) and away / idle time (your computer is turned on but nobody is using it)
- Applications - tracks applications and how long that you use it, for example: Mozilla Firefox (usage time translates on how addicted to the Internet you are!)
- Tags (optional) - let you specify sections on the timeline based on your activities e.g. work time, browsing time etc. Tags will be most useful for other tasks that you want to manage, besides the time that you spent using your computer.
Accurate time tracking - for example, ManicTime accurately shows the total time you spent using a particular software, at what time that you use it in any particular day that you choose.

Summary view tells you the total usage time and percentage for each of the applications that you use for the current day.
Statistics view presents all your active and idle time information in an easily understandable, sortable line graph. Additionally, you can add your tags usage data to the graph.

Export all your usage data to CSV format so you can use it for any other useful time tracking applications.
“Go off the record” option that allows you to easily disable ManicTime temporarily when the need arise.
Filter options allows you to detail out usage time for a specific applications quickly e.g. Foxit Reader as pictured below.

When you use Mozilla Firefox, it tracks visited websites too! Cool!

IMHO, ManicTime will be most beneficial to people that want to track their computer usage plus managing their personal time in one simple application.

ManicTime is one of the easiest, out of the box, personal time management software that you can use for free, for as long that you wish. Try ManicTime today!

You may also want to check out 8aweek, a Firefox extension that will track and manage your browsing habits. You can also use Slife to keep track of how you spend time on your computer. Enjoy!