GPROVAN  I suffer from sciatica and have to sit no longer than 15 minutes at a time without taking a break. It's very easy to forget, so I started looking for some kind of timed alert. Little did I realise that there were quite a few applications which catered for this kind of thing.

After trying a few and being a little disappointed with the crudeness and lack of options, I stumbled across Time Out. Instantly, it struck a chord with me. It's elegant, sophisticated, and has the right amount of configurability for me.

I've been using it for several months now without a problem. It feels comfortably integrated into my system and pleasantly reminds me when I need to take a time out.

The author has mentioned that he is working on a new version which will integrate most of the features requested by users. To be honest, I can't see much that needs added.   
(Version 1.5.4)

MACPUG  Dejal’s Time Out helps you combat RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) and encourages you to take frequent breaks while working or playing at your computer. It's easy to get involved in something and, before you know it, you realize that your neck, shoulders, and back are aching! That’s where Time Out comes into play. It reminds you to take regular breaks.

There are several customization options via the preferences menu. There is also a button that allows you to postpone the break or to skip it altogether. Many new features, some that are now available by running Automator actions or scripts, will be included when v. 2.0 is released.

For now, Time Out is free. Use it, love it, and get attached to it. Consider making a donation to further Time Out’s development. Anyone who makes a donation in any amount prior to the upgrade being released will receive a free license for Version 2. You can’t beat that!   
(Version 1.5.2)

PAT2004  This program was recommended to me. I have chronic dry eye and am nearsighted and being at my iMac all day aggravates both of these. Time Out has two different kinds of breaks.There's a short break - I use that to just look away from my computer every 10 minutes for 10 seconds. The main break is long enough to get out from my chair and away from my iMac to stretch for 10 minutes. You can set either of the short or long break to take place at any interval you want FOR any time you want. Sometimes if I'm working on an article I choose to "skip" the break not to lose my train of thought. This has greatly reduced my eyestrain and helped improve my dry eyes.  
(Version 1.5.2)

MUSUBANA  Thank you so much that this is still available for Tiger users!  
(Version 1.5.2)

SLOB  Couldn't agree more. Best break timer I've ever used, in every way. My shoulders say 'thank you!'  
(Version 1.5)

BMEGUY  I want to thank the developer for making this great software available for free.

It's very useful for avoiding the pain of repetitive stress and screen staring; but also just as useful for avoiding the frustration of wasting time browsing around.

Use the breaks to "wake up"!  
(Version 1.5)

ROGERGORDON  After 5 months spent staring at a screen for more than 7 hours a day, I realised that my productivity wasn't optimum, and my eyes were taking strain. I did a Google search and found Time Out!

I've only been using this product for a day, but already my productivity and concentration has improved dramatically. Being reminded to take breaks, both short and long, helps me to focus on the task at hand and avoids me 'not seeing the forest for the trees' by getting too focussed on insignificant details. The software works well, and the customer support is fantastic - I sent feedback about the product and was contacted by the developer within a few hours. This is a great product that I'm sure will yield health and productivity benefits for years to come. Get it!  
(Version 1.4.1)

PSYKOLOGIK   I love computing, but I have a classic ADHD mind that can get lost for hours in work or browsing, only to find myself tired and frustrated, eyes totally fried and wrists numb. Time Out! really helps jolt me back into reality and help keep me from getting lost in unhealthy states of hyperfocus.

I absolutely love Time Out! I have needed something like this for years. I've even tried other anti-RSI programs, but this is the best yet, and as I understand it, the next release will include every one of the little features that are lacking in this one, such as a mandatory break mode!

If you ever struggle with keeping a balance between living in your real and cyber worlds, definitely give Time Out! a try.   
(Version 1.4.1)

SAIL  Works like a dream on Panther.

Very useful for those like me who's mind (and fingers) wonder when they are supposed to be working instead of surfing! Works as a reminder to get back to work, but also as a way to split chucks of work into manageable sections of time, all completely configurable!

Great that you can set sounds for when your break comes and when it's up!

If nothing else, you should give this a try!   
(Version 1.4)

SCHMELDING  Very handy application. I recommend it highly especially for designers who spend a lot of screen time.

Dog-ugly icon, though. 5 stars for when you get a new one. In the meantime, I've hacked my Time Out with my own icon selection.  
(Version 1.4)

JESSE_THE_K  Never a conflict on my iMac G5/17 and OS 10.3.9 through 10.4.4

I've used every take-a-break application I can find (after the one I wrote in Excel starting crash my Mac in 8.6.)

Constantly monitoring my keyboard/mouse activity -- which allows for highly-configurable breaks and "counting backwards" when you take an informal break -- slows down my Mac and seems to encourage crashes.

For me TimeOut!'s simplicity has meant I actually use it.

Blanks the entire screen to hide the temptation of a recent email.

Can't beat the price!

Quick support from responsive developer.  
(Version 1.3.2)

JOHN LEWIS  Won't launch on my G4 dual 1.25Ghz MDD running 10.3.5 - and I got 1.5Gb RAM too. I won't rate in case its my computer, its not fair. Good app good idea though.  
(Version 1.3)

ANONYMOUS  I found this to be an invaluable program when working continuously at the screen doing film editing work. However, in the timer section it would be nice to have a preference for adding half hour or 45 minute lunch breaks on top of the other break features.   
(Version 1.1)

ANONYMOUS  Nice application. The only thing I would change is allowing me to adjust the times of the various things numerically instead of with sliders. I always found the slider thing to be a waste of space for most applications. The way it is, it takes far longer to figure out how much time you have allocated toward something than if I could just type '5' in a box. For instance, I like working in 45 minute blocks, but it seems difficult to get the slider right on 45 minutes.  
(Version 1.1)

ANONYMOUS  Does what it's supposed to do pretty well, and not much more. Big memory leak, though. After a week without quitting, it balloons to using over 200MB of RAM!  
(Version 1.0)