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Ok Addicts, I could use some opinions, flames, feedback, whatever about this experimental app I just wrote. It's a simple app called Pocket Doze Alarm which I originally created to help me stay awake and on my toes during long paperwork and study sessions. It is based on an activity Thomas Edison used to do to come up with inventions in his sleep (read more about this here). Anyway, the simple idea of this app is that you would launch the program then hold in a hardware button to "load" the alarm. And then simply hold the same hardware button. As you drift off to sleep, your hand relaxes and releases the button and a siren sounds waking you from your sleep.
Some of my thoughts: It might be good for people who have problems with narcolepsy, it would be good for students who fall asleep in class because you could use an earbud headphone to avoid disrupting others. If people would like to use Edison's "ideas from dreams" technique it would work great for that. I am reluctant to recommend it for driving because one hand must be used on the Pocket PC - even though millions of people use cellphones on roads and highways, I don't want any liabilities (is there a Pocket PC Lawyer in the house? )
So what do you think?
One suggestion I would have, to prevent having to occupy one hand on the ppc the entire time, would be to have a count down timer. Once the program loads, it counts down from 1 minute, 30 seconds, whatever.. and if you don't press a button, it'll countdown and go off. Pressing the buttom resets the countdown. That way you can still have both hands free, and the benefit of the alarm.
Just an idea...
Bru...
This idea is quite similar to a safety feature (I think it was called a "deadmans switch") built in to alot of mechanical equipment e.g. old fashinoned trains e.g. Steam, as they didn't have an accelerator.
The driver had to keep his foot on a pedal, if he released it the train/equipment would come to an abrupt halt. This was to negate the effect of either falling asleep on the job (as you stated) or in case of a massive heart attack or other sudden death scenario.
So the idea and principal are sound and have even helped to save lives
BUT!...........
I can't help wondering that if I was about to fall a sleep and my hand relaxed, would the sound of a blaring alarm probably cause me to have a sudden death scenario or even a sudden pants messing scenario?
__________________ Afterism (n) - A concise, clever statement you don\'t think of until too late.
To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer.
One suggestion I would have, to prevent having to occupy one hand on the ppc the entire time, would be to have a count down timer. Once the program loads, it counts down from 1 minute, 30 seconds, whatever.. and if you don't press a button, it'll countdown and go off. Pressing the buttom resets the countdown. That way you can still have both hands free, and the benefit of the alarm.
Just an idea...
Bru...
This is a good suggestion. For example, I use my pocket pc for taking notes in class. I could have used this program in a couple of my classes this semester. However, I can't hold a button down while I'm using 2 hands to type (fold out keyboard). The program is a good concept but the countdown would make it a little easier, more versatile.
When you finish this program let me know. I may need for my next classes.
Thanks for the feedback I've gotten some ideas from the posts. I like the "deadmans switch" name. That sort of grabs your attention. Pocket Deadman's switch.
Good name and interesting ideas. I like the countdown timer method although I have 2 or 3 other apps that would work that way they are not specifically for that purpose.
and,yes, Knelson, your mind is in the gutter. tsk,tsk...
)
However, I can't hold a button down while I'm using 2 hands to type (fold out keyboard). The program is a good concept but the countdown would make it a little easier, more versatile.
I've gotten some ideas from the posts. I like the "deadmans switch" name. That sort of grabs your attention. Pocket Deadman's switch. 
Linear Mode
