iRadar: TimeComX – Runs Selected Actions or Programs on Set Time [Windows]

Thursday, August 26, 2010

TimeComX – Runs Selected Actions or Programs on Set Time [Windows]

TimeComX – Runs Selected Actions or Programs on Set Time [Windows]: "

timed program launcher Computers usually do what you tell them (or try to). That is the deal, of course, when you’re actually using a computer. However, you may sometimes want to your computer to do something when you are not using it. Obviously, this presents a bit of a challenge.

Enter TimeComX. This nifty, light-weight piece of software lets you set up timers which count down to certain tasks.

Let’s take a look at the things this program will let you do.

Let’s Make a Date

timed program launcher

There are only two tabs in the small TimeComX window. One is the Event tab and the other is the Task tab. Let’s talk about the Event tab first, as it is what controls the activation of tasks.

There are four “modes” available. The first two, simple counter and advanced counter, are simply countdown timers. Simple counter users a slider to adjust time, while advanced counter lets you make precise changes to number of hours, minutes and seconds you’d like to have before a task executes.

Time of day, as you’d expect, lets you pick a specific time and date at which the task will execute. The most interesting event, however, is usage/activity. This allows TimeComX to execute a task based on processor usage, network usage, or idle time. It can serve as a more precise substitute for Windows power manager, or manage your computer after a large file has just been downloaded.

timed program starter

Once you have decided on the proper event you must activate it by clicking the play button. The countdown will commence. One interesting touch I noticed is that the progress bar will appear on the Windows 7 Taskbar icon so you know at-a-glance how much time you have left.

Picking a Task

timed program launcher

Of course, an event is no good without giving your computer something to do.

The first few selections are fairly obvious and are shared other programs that are similar, such as Shutdown Timer. These tasks include restart, shutdown, sleep, hibernate , lock computer and log off. All of these tasks are pretty self explanatory, but that isn’t to say they’re not interesting or useful.

The final two task selections are more unique. The first is Run File. As the name suggests, this task will run any file that you’d like. There are a lot of interesting ways this can be used. If absolutely must be reminded of something, for example, you can write it in a text file and then make an event that runs the file at a certain time. If you want to begin downloading a torrent at a certain time you can tell TimeComX to run the torrent file or program. Your own creativity is the only real limit here.

The second task selection is Play Audio File. This is most useful as an alarm clock feature. You can play a certain song at a specified time to make you wake up from whatever task you’re concentrated on. Or, if you keep your laptop in your bedroom (college students, I’m looking at you) this can simply be used as an alarm clock, period.

Conclusion

TimeComX is a basic but very good automation program. In addition to be very functional, it is very user-friendly. The program takes up very few system resources and can be minimized into the Windows task tray so that the program is no longer in your face. But if you want it to be in your face it can do that too, as you can set it to always appear on top of other windows.

Do you automate tasks? What programs do you use?

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