When you download and install the 45-day trial of RSIGuard from our website (or install it from a CD) you are getting a fully functional copy of RSIGuard. However, you are only allowed to use it for 45 days. At the end of 45 days, RSIGuard will nag you to either purchase a copy, or uninstall it from your computer. If you decide to purchase RSIGuard, you will receive a registration code. You enter this registration code into your trial copy (you can do this either when RSIGuard bugs you to register or by clicking on the Setup menu and selecting the "Purchase or Register RSIGuard" option). This converts your trial copy into a purchased, permanent copy. There is no need to install anything additional.

What do I get when I purchase RSIGuard?

Basically, you get a registration code. That registration code, when entered into RSIGuard, converts it from a trial to a permanent copy. There is no need to uninstall the RSIGuard trial because the trial is the purchased version. When you order, you have the option of ordering a CD for backup purposes. Although some users wish to have a CD, there is no additional software on the CD.

NOTE: It is important that you save your original registration code (and if you have it, your RSIGuard ID#). This will enable you to reinstall RSIGuard in the future (e.g. if you get a new computer or if you reinstall Windows).

How does my RSIGuard license allow me to use RSIGuard (e.g. number of computers, length of time, etc.)?

When you purchase RSIGuard, you are buying a perpetual license, which means you may use RSIGuard forever.

You may install RSIGuard simultaneously on up to two computers (e.g. one at home and one at work) as long as the two computers are primarily used by one person.

When you uninstall RSIGuard from one of your computers (or if one of your computers with RSIGuard is no longer operable), you may reinstall RSIGuard on a new computer.

For more detail, see the full license agreement which is installed on your computer (C:\Program Files\RSIGuard\license.txt) during RSIGuard installation.

I have reinstalled RSIGuard onto a different computer. How do I register the 45-day trial copy so that it becomes permanent?

If you have downloaded and installed RSIGuard onto a new computer (or a computer with a fresh Windows installation), you will need to reregister it. In most cases you will need a new registration code.

When you first run RSIGuard on the new computer, you will have the option to get a new registration code. Or optionally, you can click here to get a new registration code.

I want to install RSIGuard on a second computer I own. How do I do that?

Your purchase of RSIGuard entitles you to install RSIGuard on a home and a work computer. To install RSIGuard on the second computer, download RSIGuard from the web and install it. You will need to register the second computer (which makes the 45-day trial into a permanent copy).

I'm moving to a new job/getting a new computer. How do I get RSIGuard on the new computer?

First, uninstall RSIGuard on the computer you are leaving behind if possible. Next, download RSIGuard onto the new computer. Finally, you'll need a new registration code for the new computer. Click here to get your new code.

If you wish to transfer your data and/or settings from your old computer to your new computer, click here to learn how.

I have a registration code. What do I do with it?

If you have a registration code that you received from us after purchasing RSIGuard, you can use it to convert your trial copy into a permanent copy. Registration codes start with the letter 'R', 'S', 'T', or 'X'. If you have a code that starts with something else -- it's NOT a registration code (if it starts with a 'C' it's your RSIGuard ID#).

To register RSIGuard with your registration code, follow these steps:

Bring up the RSIGuard window.
If you're not sure how to bring the RSIGuard window up, click on the RSIGuard icon in the "system tray" by the Windows clock.
Next, click on the Setup menu and select "Register RSIGuard..."
If you already have a registration code, click on "I have my registration code for this copy of RSIGuard". But, remember, registration codes that start with S or R or T are only intended for use one time. If you are registering on a new computer, click on "I need a new registration code".
Enter your registration code in the box and click OK
RSIGuard will be permanently registered on your computer.

I get an error when I try to register RSIGuard. What's wrong?

If you get an error message telling you that registration was not successful, here are some possible reasons:

If your registration code starts with 'S' or 'R': This code only works on the one computer for which it was originally issued. If you have: changed computers; reinstalled Windows; are installing RSIGuard on a second computer; or if you didn't enter your RSIGuard ID# when you purchased RSIGuard, then you will need a new code. Click here to get a new registration code.
If your registration code starts with 'T': Your code may have expired. Codes that start with a 'T' must be used within 30 days from when we issued it to you. Click here to request a new registration code.
If your registration code starts with 'X': You need internet access while registering RSIGuard. If you don't have an active internet connection, establish an internet connection and try again. If you still need help, click here.
If your code starts with a 'C', please note that this is not your registration code. This is your RSIGuard ID# which you can use to get a new registration code by clicking here.
If you are still having problems, be sure that you have installed the edition of RSIGuard that you are trying to register. You can check the edition you have installed by clicking on the Help menu and selecting "About RSIGuard".

Registration codes for:	Start with
RSIGuard Stretch Edition & Call Center Edition	S, TS, or X
RSIGuard Standard Edition	R, TR, or X

I get an error when I try to install RSIGuard. What's wrong?

If you get an error when installing RSIGuard, there are two possible reasons.

You don't have permission to install software on your computer
You downloaded an incomplete copy of RSIGuard

If you don't have permission to install RSIGuard, you will need to request that an IT/IS administrator at your company install the software for you.

If you have permission to install software, then the problem is an incomplete or incorrect (corrupt) download. To correct this, you'll need to download RSIGuard again.

If you downloaded RSIGuard from anywhere other than the RSIGuard download page, you may need to also clear your browser's download memory (cache). Why? Most browsers maintain a memory of previously downloaded files, so you may need to clear this memory in order to force your browser to really download RSIGuard again. Again, this step is not needed if you download from the RSIGuard download page.

To clear your browser's cache/memory:

Internet Explorer 5 and 6

On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
Click the General tab.
In the area called Temporary Internet Files, click the Delete Files button. (IE 5 users should then select Delete all offline content.)
Click OK to confirm.

Netscape Communicator/Navigator 6 and 7

Click Edit and select Preferences on the Netscape menu bar.
Click Advanced.
Click Cache.
Click Clear Memory Cache.
Click Clear Disk Cache.
Click OK to confirm.

America Online 6, 7, 8 and 9

Click Start, select Settings and click Control Panel.
Double-click Internet Options to open Internet Properties.
Click Delete Files.
Click OK to confirm.

Mozilla Firefox

Click Tools and select Options in the Firefox menu bar.
Click the Privacy Icon on the Option menu bar to open Privacy Properties.
Click Clear across from the Cache option.
Click OK to confirm.

How do I get a receipt for my purchase?

If you need a receipt for an RSIGuard purchase you made via our website, please visit the setSystems receipt Viewer Webpage.

What version of RSIGuard am I using and how do I get updated versions?

You can periodically use the "Check for RSIGuard Update" item within the RSIGuard Help menu to see if a new version of RSIGuard has been released. If a newer version is available, RSIGuard will give you the option of seeing what's new and downloading and installing it (assuming you have permission to install software on your computer). If you've already registered RSIGuard, the update will automatically be registered.

The current release of RSIGuard available for download at our website is v4.0.18e for Windows and v4.0.6CP for Mac.

You can check the version of RSIGuard you have installed by:

Windows: Clicking on the Help Menu and selecting "About RSIGuard", or
Mac: Clicking on the RSIGuard Menu and selecting "About RSIGuard"

or you can click here to have RSIGuard show you what version you are running (only works if your default browser is Internet Explorer).

Do I need to uninstall RSIGuard before installing a newer version?

It is not necessary to uninstall RSIGuard before installing a newer version. The best way to get an update is to click the Help menu, and select "Check for RSIGuard Update". This will automatically update you. However, if you have downloaded an update manually, you may wish to exit RSIGuard before installing the new version to avoid needing to reboot Windows.

I want to move my RSIGuard data and settings to a new computer. How do I do that?

If you are changing computers and wish to bring your current usages statistics and user profile to the new computer, please click here for instructions.

What is an RSIGuard ID# and how do I find out what mine is?

Each computer upon which you install RSIGuard gets a unique RSIGuard ID#. If you install RSIGuard on 2 computers, you have 2 RSIGuard ID#'s -- one for each computer. Your RSIGuard ID# starts with the letter 'C'. Your ID# will look something like "CS-242-332-292-RS" or "C212-990-021-GB". Please include your RSIGuard ID# in any correspondence with us regarding registering your copy of RSIGuard

There are several ways to get your RSIGuard ID#.

If you have RSIGuard v3.0.33 or later installed, you can click here to see your RSIGuard ID# for this computer.
The RSIGuard ID# is shown to you in the registration window. The registration window is shown when you select the "Purchase & Register RSIGuard" option in the Settings menu or when the "Your trial has ended" window is showing.
You can find the RSIGuard ID# on the particular computer by clicking on the "About RSIGuard" item in the Help menu.

We use your RSIGuard ID# to generate a registration code for one particular computer. That means that if you install RSIGuard on a second computer, it will have a different RSIGuard ID#, and you will need a second registration code for the second computer.

How do I upgrade from RSIGuard Standard Edition to RSIGuard Stretch Edition?

If you own RSIGuard Standard Edition and wish to upgrade to Stretch Edition, here's how to do it.

Purchase an Upgrade Registration Code from the RSIGuard website or through your reseller.
Download the Stretch Edition installation program from the website and select Open (or Run) the download. It will install over the currently installed Standard Edition. You generally will not need to uninstall the previous version of RSIGuard.
Reboot your computer and RSIGuard Stretch Edition will be running.
To register your newly installed copy of RSIGuard Stretch Edition, hold the CTRL key down on your keyboard while you mouseclick on RSIGuard's Setup menu. (If you don't see the main RSIGuard window with the Tools, Setup and Help menu, click on the RSI icon in the system tray (it's right near the system clock) and the RSIGuard window will appear).
The registration window will appear. Click that you wish to register RSIGuard and that you already have a registration code. Enter the Upgrade Registration Code you purchased, and click OK. Your Stretch Edition will be installed and registered now.

If you own RSIGuard Stretch Edition and wish to upgrade to v4.0, click here.

Can I copy/backup my RSIGuard settings when I install RSIGuard on a new computer?

If you use 1 or more computers or occasionally upgrade to a new computer, and your computers are on a network, then rather than copying your settings when you switch computers, the best solution is to use RSIGuard's Roaming Profile feature. By configuring each computer to use a roaming profile, all your computers will share the same profile, and changing a setting on one computer will cause it to change on all of your computers. When you upgrade to a new computer and configure it to use the roaming profile, it will have all of your settings.

If your settings are on a computer without a network, and you are simply switching from one computer to another, you cannot use roaming profiles. You will need to copy the settings (and optionally copy/backup your DataLogger data as well) from the old computer to the new one.

To save your settings from your old computer:

Click on "Setup", "Profile Management" , "Manage Roaming Profile".
Check the "Enable RSIGuard roaming profile" box and select a folder to store the settings file (e.g. on your Desktop or in "My Documents") and click OK.
RSIGuard will ask if it should create a Roaming Profile in the selected folder -- answer "Yes".
Copy the Roaming Profile file (named RSIGuardRoamingProfile-LOGIN.rni, where LOGIN is your Windows login username) to a floppy, CD, or network.

On the new computer:

Copy the Roaming Profile file from the old computer to your new computer (e.g. to "My Documents").
Install RSIGuard. When RSIGuard starts up, register it (or start a 45-day trial if you'll register later).
If you are prompted to do the startup wizard, just click "Next" until it completes (ignore the questions).
Click on "Setup", "Profile Management" , "Manage Roaming Profile".
Check the "Enable RSIGuard roaming profile" box and select the folder where you copied the settings file.
Click OK. RSIGuard will import the settings.
If you wish, you can now disable the Roaming Profile feature by repeating step 4 and then unchecking "Enable RSIGuard roaming profile".

Do I need a CD, or is downloading sufficient?

Many users wonder if they should order a CD of RSIGuard. In our opinion, most users should not spend money on a CD and should choose the download option.

There 3 most common reasons people consider ordering a CD are:

The computer on which RSIGuard will be installed has no internet connection or a slow internet connection.
This is a valid reason to order a CD. If this is your situation, ordering a CD is probably your best solution.
Desire to maintain a backup of RSIGuard in case of hard drive failure.
This is rarely a valid reason to order a CD.
RSIGuard is always available for download from our website. In fact, if you need to reinstall RSIGuard, it is likely that by downloading from our website, you will be getting an updated and improved version of RSIGuard. If you reinstall from a CD you purchased 2 years ago, you will continue to miss out on improvements we make to our software.
Concern over the security of downloading software.
We do not believe this is a valid reason to order a CD.
The software package you receive on a CD from us is identical to that which you would download from us. We take extensive measures to insure that our software delivery is secure and free of viruses. However, while both methods of software delivery are extremely safe, neither method is significantly safer than the other. Some company policies are based on the idea that a CD could not contain a malicious code. This is not true -- receiving software on a CD is NOT guaranteed protection.
What protects you from the risk of malicious software is:
a) proper use of anti-virus/firewall software, and
b) only installing software from trusted sources.
We encourage you to be cautious and use anti-virus/firewall software. But our business depends on clients feeling safe with our software. Even our most sensitive military and finance clients (who distribute RSIGuard to thousands of their employee computers) download our software from our website. Naturally they test for viruses and other issues. But they would conduct these tests whether they received the software on a CD or via the web. To have a policy that arbitrarily considers software from CDs to be safe does, in fact, expose your company to additional risk.

How do I uninstall RSIGuard?

For Microsoft Windows:

If you had a system administrator install RSIGuard for you, you will likely need their assistance to uninstall RSIGuard as well. This is because your organization may have restricted your rights to install and uninstall software on your computer.

If you installed RSIGuard yourself or if you have rights to install/uninstall software, then you can do so by following these instructions:

Exit RSIGuard (by clicking on the Tools menu and selecting Exit RSIGuard). If you can't do this step for any reason, you'll need to reboot your computer after uninstallation occurs to complete the uninstallation process.
Click on the Start menu
Select "Programs" (or "All Programs" in Windows XP)
Select "RSIGuard"
Select "Uninstall RSIGuard" and follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation

If you don't see the "Uninstall RSIGuard" option, you can also uninstall RSIGuard from the Windows Control Panel. To do so:

Click on the Start menu
Select "Settings"
Select "Control Panel"
Select "Add/Remove Programs"
In the list of programs shown, select "RSIGuard"
Click on the "Remove" button and follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation

If this procedure gives you an error message, then you don't have the necessary rights to uninstall RSIGuard. You will need to contact your system administrator.

If you are unable to uninstall RSIGuard using the above instructions, and cannot get assistance from your system administrator, you can try manually removing RSIGuard -- but this is NOT a recommended way to start! Carefully follow this procedure:

Delete the RSIGuard Startup icon: click on the Start menu; click on "Programs"; click on "StartUp"; find the RSIGuard icon (may be called RSIGuard, RSIGuard Stretch Edition, or RSIGuard Standard Edition) and right click on it; select "Delete" from the popup menu.
Delete the RSIGuard shortcuts: click on the Start menu; click on "Programs"; find "RSIGuard" and right click on it; select "Delete" from the popup menu.
Reboot your computer. RSIGuard will no longer automatically start up.
(optional) If you wish to also remove the RSIGuard program files from your computer, then after rebooting, use Windows Explorer to open the folder where you installed RSIGuard (usually C:\Program Files\RSIGuard) and delete the entire RSIGuard folder.
(optional) If you wish to also remove RSIGuard from the list of installed applications in the Control Panel, you can use Microsoft Windows Install Cleanup from Microsoft.

For Mac OS X:

RSIGuard is installed using Apple PackageMaker, which is Apple's recommended standard method for installation. Although it does not provide an uninstaller, uninstalling on the Mac is simple. To uninstall RSIGuard, exit RSIGuard, and drag RSIGuard.app (in Applications) to the Trash Can.

AutoClick

How do I drag stuff around without the strain of holding down the mouse button?

The easiest way to drag something with the mouse is to use the DragLock hotkey. Press the Drag Lock hotkey, and RSIGuard will click down. Move the mouse around or use the arrow keys to drag whatever you clicked on around. To end the drag, either press any key (except the arrow keys) or click the mouse. You can drag a window around, drag to select things, drag to scroll in a window, or do anything else that normally requires tensely holding down the left mouse button.

What are good choices for AutoClick hotkeys/can I select new hotkeys?

A hotkey (or shortcut key) is a fancy name for a keystroke like "Ctrl-Shift-H" or "F8" that performs a certain function. For example, pressing the shortcut key "Ctrl-ESC" opens the Windows start menu. AutoClick's KeyControl feature lets you create new hotkeys to do things like cause a single, double or triple click by pressing a particular keystroke (that you can select).

When you first ran the Setup Wizard, RSIGuard let you quickly define a group of hotkeys to perform various RSIGuard related functions (e.g. double click, start a break, and many others) and it let you pick which keypress combinations should be used. You can, however, reassign each hotkey individually with any keystroke (e.g. Ctrl-X for single click, F2 for double click, and Ctrl-Shift-F5 for triple click). To do this, click on the Setup menu and select Settings. Select the KeyControl tab, and click the button "Add A New Hotkey" to create a new hotkey or "Edit Selected Hotkey" to edit a hotkey you already have. This will let you set each of the RSIGuard related hotkeys as well as create other hotkeys to do various functions. See the KeyControl feature for more information about setting up hotkeys.

When you choose a key combination for a hotkey, you shouldn't choose one that isn't used by the programs you will personally be working with. For example, Ctrl-R is not a good choice if you like to press Ctrl-R in your email program to reply to email (e.g. in Outlook and Netscape Communicator) because the key will be reassigned to the new function. Since many people don't use the numeric keypad, that is one of the suggestions made in the RSIGuard Setup Wizard. If you use the numeric keypad but don't use the F-keys, you might want to set your hotkey settings accordingly. After setting hotkeys, try taping masking tape or small labels to the keys you select to make finding and remembering them easier.

Note: Some programs intercept special keystrokes and may interfere with RSIGuard's hotkeys. For example, Windows likes to steal F1 for help, so it is better not to use F1 for an RSIGuard hotkey.

RSIGuard sometimes causes unexpected clicks. What can I do?

RSIGuard has various features to prevent false clicks. For example, by default, RSIGuard will not click while you are typing, or after you have recently clicked the mouse yourself. However, the default timeouts for these options may be too short or too long for you. By selecting the "Advanced Settings" button in the Settings dialog's BreakTimer tab, you.can fine tune these timeouts (and others) to optimize RSIGuard's behavior. Still, you will need to learn new mousing habits. For example, you need to know where you're going to click before you move the mouse, because when you stop moving, the mouse will click (though a click can be overridden with the 'no click' hotkey). Some people wiggle their mouse around while thinking (just like some people tap their fingers) -- this doesn't work with AutoClick, but it's a good thing to eliminate anyway since it is unnecessary strain.

You can also define AutoClick Filters to prevent AutoClick from clicking in certain situations or to cause AutoClick to only click in certain situations.

Is using AutoClick better than switching to an ergonomic mouse or a different kind of pointing device?

Many RSI sufferers will try various ergonomic mice as well as alternatives to mice. Some people also try switching their mousing hand from right to left or left to right. Some solutions may be better than a standard mouse while others simply postpone pain by distributing the strain to different areas of your hands and arms. RSIGuard's AutoClick feature, however, largely eliminates the need to click the mouse which is the source of most mouse-related pain. Furthermore, because you no longer need to grip the mouse, an ergonomic mouse may no longer even be necessary. AutoClick does not eliminate the need to move the mouse to point at things, so if you find a particular pointing device to be helpful for moving the mouse around, it makes sense to use that device in conjunction with AutoClick.

What's the difference between disabling AutoClick and having it enabled in 'NoClick' mode?

The difference is that in NoClick mode, you can still use AutoClick hotkeys (e.g. to do clicks, drag lock, reenable AutoClick, etc.)

Sometimes, when I let go of my mouse, it slides a little, causing AutoClick to do a spurious click. What can I do?

One way to prevent this is to make sure the cord on your mouse is clear of desk clutter and to ensure that your mouse is on a flat surface. If that doesn't work, various mouse manufacturers makes cordless mice which work very well with AutoClick. Finally, you can increase the "Trigger distance in pixels" in the AutoClick tab of the Settings dialog. Doing that makes RSIGuard wait for a larger mouse move before it will automatically click -- thus filtering out small movements that sometimes occur when you let go of your mouse..

Is there a way to temporarily turn AutoClick off?

There are several ways, depending on what you really want to do.

You can turn off AutoClick until the next time you click manually using the "Skip Next Click" hotkey (which you can set from the AutoClick settings page under AutoClick hotkeys).
There is a setting in AutoClick Advanced Settings called "Keyboard Shortcut for changing AutoClick Mode" which causes AutoClick to change mode if you tap a hotkey twice (e.g. pressing "Skip Next Click" twice turns AutoClick off, and "Single Click" twice would turn it back on). Be careful, because if you use the a hotkey twice without moving the mouse (e.g. to click on something twice) it will change the hotkey mode accordingly.
If you always want AutoClick off over a certain program, you can use an AutoClick filter to automatically turn change the AutoClick mode when the mouse passes over different windows. For more information, see AutoClick Filters in the online help.

When I pass over an item with a tooltip, AutoClick clicks and prevents me from seeing the tooltip's text. What can I do?

Go to the AutoClick tab in the Settings dialog. Make sure that the Trigger Time is at least 8 tenths of a second (though 9 or 10 is even safer). Next, select advanced settings. Make sure that 'Delay AutoClick when a ToolTip help box pops up' is checked. This will cause AutoClick to postpone clicking by the specified time, allowing you time to read the text.

Can I use AutoClick to reduce strain while playing games?

Playing games can be an extremely strain-inducing activity, so it's important to use common sense and moderation to avoid developing injuries. That said, AutoClick can help in some cases even though it is not an intended purpose. Some gamers have told us that they accomplish rapid firing (which normally requires rapid and constant mouse clicking) by assigning AutoClick's single-left-click to a hotkey. By holding the hotkey down, the key repeat causes the mouse button to rapidly click over and over, until the key is released. Some users even place a weight on the key which causes the rapid-fire clicking to occur hands-free, until the weight is removed.

How can I make AutoClick click faster?

To make AutoClick click faster, click on the Setup menu, select Settings, and click on the AutoClick tab. The first setting, "Trigger Time" controls how long it takes AutoClick to click once you stop moving the mouse. You can set it as fast as 1 tenth of a second. In order to set the Trigger Time below 7 tenths of a second, however, you must also turn off the "ToolTip detection" setting. To turn off "ToolTip detection", click on the Advanced Settings button (in the AutoClick tab). Uncheck the "Delay AutoClick when a ToolTip help box appears" setting. This also means, however, that ToolTips will not generally appear, since clicking the mouse prevent a ToolTip from popping up. If you need to see some ToolTips, you can use the "Skip Next Click" hotkey and view ToolTips as usual.

How can I make an AutoClick filter?

Here are two AutoClick filter examples.

Example 1: Make a filter to prevent AutoClick from clicking in the Minesweeper game.

Click on the Setup menu and select Settings. Click on the AutoClick tab and then on the AutoClick Filters button. Click on Add New Filter
From the drop down box, make sure "program" is selected and in the "named" field, enter "Minesweeper". In the "action" field, select "don't autoclick, keep hotkeys active". Click OK.
You should see the new rule in the Filters list. Insure that it is checked with an 'x' which means the rule is enabled. Click OK to exit the Filters and the OK to exit Settings. The rule will be active.

Example 2: Make a filter to prevent clicking the Send button in Outlook or Outlook Express

Click on the Setup menu and select Settings. Click on the AutoClick tab and then on the AutoClick Filters button. Click on Add New Filter
From the drop down box, make sure "button" is selected.
In most situations, you would type in the name of the button into the "named" field (e.g. Send). In Outlook, however, the Send button is not actually a button, but is instead part of a toolbar. So we need the toolbar's "internal name". RSIGuard can find it for you if you just position the mouse cursor over the Send button for a second or two. You will notice that the "named" field is automatically filled in with something like: 'New Message:5600896d:834'.
In the "action" field, select "don't autoclick, keep hotkeys active". Click OK.
You should see the new rule in the Filters list. Insure that it is checked with an 'x' which means the rule is enabled. Click OK to exit the Filters and the OK to exit Settings. The rule will be active, although it will apply to all the buttons in the Send toolbar.

BreakTimer

How can I adjust the frequency of breaks?

To adjust break frequency, click on the Setup menu, select Settings, and click on the BreakTimer tab. There are several settings that allow you to adjust break frequency. To get started, please see the BreakTimer settings documentation. Here are some additional tips:

Adjust the top two sliders to adjust how often breaks occur. As you adjust the sliders, you can watch the effect it has on the "Average time between breaks" value. You can adjust the length of breaks as well, but note that when you do so, it will also adjust the average time between breaks so as to insure that you still get enough total break time.

It is important to realize that these 3 settings only control the average length and average spacing of breaks. The actual length and spacing for each particular break is also based on how you work. If you work hard, breaks will occur more often than the average. If you work lighter, they will occur less often.

The BreakTimer also includes two other settings to help control break spacing. The "Set minimum time between breaks" setting can be checked to guarantee that BreakTimer will not recommend breaks too often (i.e. more frequently than the time interval you specify). The "Set maximum time between breaks" setting can be checked to insure that RSIGuard will not let you work longer than the specified time without taking a break (regardless of the intensity of the work).

I don't have any discomfort -- why should I take breaks?

An RSIGuard user once wrote: As a 41 year old software engineer, I had no pain using the computer. I didn't know that many people develop Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) over the course of 15 or 20 years before having any pain. I figured I was immune to RSI and that I didn't have the 'gene' for it. When the pain first began, I ignored it. Now, I can't ignore it. For now I can still work, but it has forever changed my stamina, and I may have pain as long as I use computers. It affects most everything I do.

What's the greatest medical problem facing the computer industry? Most people guess carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or more generally, some form of computer-related repetitive strain injury. While those may be the common injuries brought on by repetitive computer use, it is reasonable to argue that the real problem is a lack of ergonomic awareness and widespread denial that these injuries can occur to anyone.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that RSI's more than tripled in frequency in the 80's and 90's. They account for $15-20 billion in workers conmpensation costs (1/3rd of all workers comp costs) from roughly 1/2 million annual injuries.

People often assume that they won't have RSI problems because they have no symptoms now. But repetitive strain injuries only become apparent after repetition. Therefore, if you use computers frequently, you likely have already begun to injure yourself.

For example, in one type of injury, a tendon passes through a tunnel in the wrist, and builds up scar tissue over time. There are generally no or few symptoms as the scar tissue builds up. By the time the scar tissue becomes so extensive that discomfort is constant, the tissue is blocking movement in the tunnel and may require drastic measures such as surgery to reverse.

If you use a computer, you are at risk and need to understand that denial will not protect you! Consider this experiment. Tell an asymptomatic person about a new ergonomic "solution," and they're likely to tell you that they know someone who could "really use something like that." It's rare for the person who is pain-free to think that they need to examine their own ergonomic situation or that they might be injuring themselves. But millions of people are well on their way to symptomatic injuries and simply aren't aware of it yet. These people are prime candidates for ergonomic improvements, but without awareness, are unlikely to take preventative steps.

While 'RSIGuard' alone can't insure you won't get RSI, it can help. RSIGuard helps reduce your strain at the computer (with AutoClick), gives you meaningful breaks that are tailored not only to your physical health, but also to your willpower (with BreakTimer), keeps you conscious of your behavior (with ForgetMeNots), and keeps track of your progress (with DataLogger and the companion program RSIGuard Reports).

Most people, especially those without symptoms, have a hard time disciplining themselves to change their patterns. RSIGuard was designed with this in mind. It was created with feedback from real people who use it, and thus each feature has been carefully crafted to help you overcome the behavior challenge and stay healthy.

Won't taking breaks just reduce my productivity?

The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a study showing that regular short rest breaks can reduce eyestrain and musculoskeletal discomfort for computer operators without reducing productivity. Workers who took four 5-minute rest breaks spaced throughout the work day, in addition to their regular two 15-minute breaks, consistently reported less eye soreness, visual blurring, and upper-body discomfort than those who just took the two 15-minute breaks. Quantity and quality of work in both groups was the same. A Cornell study showed that breaks actually increase productivity.

Click on these links for more detailed information:

Cornell Study shows that computer-assisted breaks boost productivity

Strategic Rest Breaks Reduce VDT Discomforts Without Impairing Productivity (NIOSH)

Computer terminal work and the benefit of microbreaks

I've tried using BreakTimer, but the breaks are too frequent/interruptive for me?

Taking breaks is inevitably disruptive if you are trying to work non-stop. Of course, working non-stop can lead to injury, and the purpose of BreakTimer is to avoid that. So, ask yourself if the break suggestions are really too frequent, or if you are just working too hard or too long. If you decide that the breaks really are too frequent or interruptive, there are several solutions.

You can avoid the "surprise factor" of the break window by realizing that BreakTimer gives you several warnings that a break is approaching: the "Time to Next Break" value on the main window shows how long it estimates it will be until the next break; the blinking RSI icon in the system tray tells you a break is only a minute or 2 away; and an optional sound can be played about 1 minute before a break starts. Furthermore, BreakTimer automatically will attempt to wait for you to finish what you are typing or doing with the mouse before starting a break. Finally, RSIGuard will never start a break in the middle of an activity like dragging and dropping with the mouse.

Next, to be sure that you are really taking breaks are as frequently as you think, try to notice the "Time since Last Break" value on the main window. It tells you how long ago you completed your last break, and can often surprise you with how long ago it actually was.

If you still want to reduce the frequency or placement of breaks, BreakTimer has numerous settings that control how breaks occur. The most important two settings to consider if you feel breaks occur too often are the "Minimum time between breaks" setting and the "Blackout Times" settings. These and other settings can be adjusted to reduce the frequency of break suggestions as well as control when BreakTimer is allowed to interrupt you with break suggestions.

I use another break timer. Can I continue to use it?

RSIGuard's BreakTimer is the most advanced break timer available. It tells you when to take breaks when you really need them rather than after a preset number of keystrokes, mouse movements, or time. However, if for some reason you wish to use another break timer, disable BreakTimer (either from the Settings dialog or from the main window). Although RSIGuard has not been tested with all other break timers, it should not conflict with any of them.

I thought RSIGuard modeled my pain. Why must I take a break now when my wrists don't even hurt?

Actually, RSIGuard models your strain. Strain usually doesn't hurt until it reaches an extreme. The point of the BreakTimer is to tell you to rest before you reach a painful state. This lessens long term damage and also minimizes pain you experience. Your strain threshold varies each day, so some days you may experience pain before RSIGuard tells you to take a break. If this happens with any regularity, then during a break use the "Adjust Break Frequency" button or adjust your settings in the Settings dialog under BreakTimer.

How does RSIGuard compute/measure strain?

Each action you do during working at the computer affects the strain calculation. Keyboard strain is a function of which keys you use (e.g. Ctrl-X causes more strain than plain X, and Shift-Ctrl-F9 causes more than Ctrl-X) as well as how quickly you type. A period of time with no typing relieves some keyboard strain, moreso if there is no mousing either. Mouse strain is a function of how much mouse moving you do combined with how much clicking, dragging, double-clicking, etc. Each action is assigned an appropriate amount of strain and actions that take advantage of AutoClick features are appropriately reduced in assigned strain. Again, a period of time without mousing relieves accumulated mouse strain. Although there are other factors, this is the basic idea behind BreakTimer's strain calculation. For the more math minded, the unit for strain is arbitrary but absolute, constant, and comparable between a user over time as well as between different users. In the display that shows typing and mousing strain, however, strain is actually show as the % of strain accumulated towards the threshold that triggers a break (i.e. current-strain divided by break-inducing-strain-threshold).

How is a natural break different from and RSIGuard break?

A natural break is any time you stop working at the computer on your own. Because natural breaks are often breaks from the computer during which you do other work, RSIGuard conservatively assumes that natural breaks allow you to rest somewhat from strain, but not as much as during an actual break. Therefore, to make RSIGuard's model work, it is important that during an RSIGuard-imposed break that you really rest. Get up and walk around and/or stretch. Do not do other work that is stressful to hands, eyes, shoulders, etc.

How does BreakTimer work with programs like NaturallySpeaking and ViaVoice?

RSIGuard v4.0 and later differentiates between your typing and the typing done by voice recognition tools. Text typed by voice recognition software is not counted as typing by BreakTimer (or DataLogger). It is possible that the detection algorithm might not detect voice recognition software in every case, but our testing found no exceptions using NaturallySpeaking v9.0 or later.

Sometimes after being away from my computer, BreakTimer will initiate a break shortly after I return. Why?

There are a few possible reasons for this.

If you have set a maximum time between breaks (e.g. to 120 minutes) and have the "give me a break even if I take a long natural break" setting checked, you will get breaks at least once every 120 minutes (or whatever you have the maximum time between breaks set to).
Some software will prevent your computer from being "idle" to prevent the display of screensavers. They do this by occasionally simulating the press of a keystroke or a mouse event. Although RSIGuard tries to detect this, it may not always be able to and therefore may believe you are continually working. If you have a maximum time between breaks set, you will get regular breaks even when you are away from the computer (regardless of whether or not you have the "give me a break even if I take a long natural break" setting checked.)
A daily work restriction could be reached shortly after returning to the computer that triggers a break.
Some other reason.

If you can't figure out why, please follow the following steps:

Double-click on the "Time to Next Break" window on the main panel
You'll see a window like this:
The next time you return to your computer after an absence of over an hour, and the "Next Break" says you have a break coming in less than a few minutes, repeat step #1. Then send the information in the window to Technical Support or call (831)421-0139. We will do our best to help you determine why you got the unexpected break. If you send an email, please include a phone number so we may contact you interactively if needed.

What are the optimal settings for the BreakTimer to prevent injury? How does BreakTimer decide how to time breaks?

RSIGuard's BreakTimer model is based on research that has been done with respect to breaks and microbreaks by the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) and Cornell University, as well as our own research on strain exposure using surface electromyelography (sEMG). Guided by this research, we believe that our break scheme is effective at reducing the risk of injury while maintaining productivity. However, there is no research that provides any significant guidance as to how to define the optimal break schedule as a function of job type/intensity. This is due in significant part to the fact that before RSIGuard was developed, there was no cost-effective way to measure the strain exposure of computer users.

Because BreakTimer is uniquely able to consider the user's work intensity, it gives break suggestions on a non-linear schedule that varies according to the user's task and intensity level. It is widely accepted: that breaks and microbreaks help; that breaks should be more frequent if the user works harder; that user psychology can reduce the benefit of breaks if they appear intrusive to the user; and that computer-suggested breaks can be less frequent the more the user rests on their own. However, the research is still too young to give objective guidance on precise schedules that will achieve a particular risk of injury for a particular user.

BreakTimer is designed to give a break schedule that logically conforms to the available research and that intelligently complies with experientially-based advice about break schedules commonly given by doctors and therapists (see the Break Timer Analysis for more information). We believe from a logical and anecdotal standpoint that more breaks means lower injury risk. However, there is obviously a point of diminishing returns where additional rest does not significantly reduce injury risk, where user resistance to breaks would become intolerable, and where productivity would suffer. The initial wizard interview that RSIGuard gives to each new user attempts to balance these factors to create an optimized break schedule based on our experience and the feedback from thousands of users. For that reason, we recommend letting users use the setup wizard for their initial setup. If users complain that breaks are too frequent, then reducing the frequency of breaks may be indicated simply to maintain willing compliance. If users are being injured too frequently, then increasing the frequency of breaks may be indicated.

That said, there are researchers that are looking at this issue to help us improve our model and to help provide additional guidance to end-users. Futhermore, if your organization is willing, we encourage you to help us by making your user settings, usage information, and injury statistics available so that we can further develop our recommendations for you and future RSIGuard users. If this is a possibility, please contact Technical Support.

Why does BreakTimer lock my keyboard and mouse during breaks? Can I disable that?

The purpose of an RSIGuard break is to get you to stop using the computer. While the BreakTimer window is displayed, you should not be using the keyboard or mouse -- you should be either resting or doing non-computer activities. If you must use the computer, then postpone the break or skip the break using the Postone or Skip buttons. If you keep typing/mousing during a break, then there is no point to the break. Thus your choice is to either take a rest from the computer (in which case the keyboard and mouse won't be used) or to reject the suggestion of the BreakTimer model to rest (by clicking Postpone or Skip).

Videos are not appearing (or appear solid black) or an error message appeared about stretch videos. What do I do?

If videos appear black, or RSIGuard crashes when displaying stretch videos, the problem is that you have a missing or defective video software "codec" (a type of program used to display videos). This is most common in computers that come with pre-installed video software that overwrites Microsoft's default software with defective software. Microsoft provides a fix for this problem by offering a free download of corrected video software from Microsoft.

Download this package from Microsoft, install and run the package, and RSIGuard videos (as well as other videos) will work correctly. Note that Windows plays videos in literally dozens of formats, so even if you haven't had problems displaying videos, this fix from Microsoft will generally solve the issue.

DataLogger

What kind of data is recorded by DataLogger?

RSIGuard stores how long you work and how long you rest, what kind of work you do (mouse vs. keyboard), how many words you type and the rate at which you type them. It also records statistics about how often you type each key, how long you take to find the key, and how long on average you hold it down. It also records information about breaks taken, breaks skipped, breaks postponed, and time spent in breaks. These statistics can be viewed in reports, and are also used by other features (e.g. BreakTimer, Work Restrictions, ForgetMeNots) to dynamically adjust to your work patterns.

Detailed information about recorded data is available in the document A Detailed Analysis of RSIGuard's DataLogger (which is also accessible from the Help menu of the RSIGuard Reports program).

How do I access the data recorded by DataLogger?

The data recorded by RSIGuard on your computer. Those files can be viewed from the Reports menu of RSIGuard.

Why is it valuable to collect this data?

If you collect the data before an injury occurs, the resulting data may help a doctor or other health professional understand what is causing your injury and thereby guide them in planning your treatment. We have received very positive reports from doctors on the informative value of RSIGuard Reports graphs that patients have brought them. If you collect the data after an injury as well, the data can help you understand whether or not you are reducing your work intensity and whether or not there are work patterns of yours that lead to pain.

Am I risking an infringement of my privacy by allowing this data to be collected?

RSIGuard Software is very concerned about your privacy. RSIGuard's data monitoring is specifically designed to tell about your ergonomics only. A detailed discussion of this is available in the DataLogger document. For example, unlike some competitive products, we specifically do not record what applications you are using. Therefore, your company can see how much you use the computer, but not what types of activities you do (e.g. email vs. word processing vs. web browsing). We hope that individuals and organizations will appreciate the importance of privacy and respect our decision to respect the privacy of RSIGuard users.

Can I copy/backup my DataLogger data when I switch to a new computer?

If you use 1 or more computers and your computers are on a network, then rather than copying your data when you switch computers, the best solution is to use RSIGuard's Roaming Profile feature. By configuring each computer to store data in a common network location, all your computers will aggregate your computer usage in one location.

If your DataLogger data is on a computer without a network, and you are simply switching from one computer to another, you will need to copy the data (and optionally copy/backup your RSIGuard settings as well) from the old computer to the new one. Follow these steps:

Get a blank floppy diskette for your A: drive.
On your old computer, click on "Tools", "DataLogger Usage Statistics", "Export DataLogger Data to Floppy". RSIGuard will copy your data to the floppy disk.
On the new computer, insert the floppy disk in the A: drive.
Click on "Tools", "DataLogger Usage Statistics", "Import DataLogger Data from Floppy". RSIGuard will copy your data from the floppy disk. Remove the disk from the A: drive.

ForgetMeNots

I can't type when a ForgetMeNots reminder appears

If you can't type during a ForgetMeNots message, you have MicroBreaks enabled. The intent is that during a ForgetMeNot, you must stop working for at least 15 seconds. You can disable MicroBreaks if you do not like them by going to the ForgetMeNots tab in the Settings dialog.

Why am I getting ForgetMeNots reminders I didn't enable?

The messages ForgetMeNots shows you are randomly selected from the messages you select in the ForgetMeNots tab of the Settings dialog. However, you may also occasionally see messages that RSIGuard adds to your message list because it notices a typing or mousing behavior of yours that is possibly unhealthy. You can delete, disable, or edit these messages just like other ForgetMeNots messages. These messages will normally disappear within a day if the behavior disappears.

Miscellaneous Questions about RSIGuard

Is there a Mac, Unix or Linux version of RSIGuard?

RSIGuard is available for Windows and for Mac OS X. Visit our download page from a Mac or a PC to download the software for your platform. There is presently no publicly released Linux/Unix version. If you'd like to be notified if one of these platforms is supported in the future, please email us.

Is RSIGuard compatible with my software?

Yes. RSIGuard is used in thousands of environments, with thousands of applications of all types. There are no known incompatibilities.

Can RSIGuard be set to run for some users and not others?

In Windows, each user has a personalized Start Menu that merges with the system Start Menu. Normally the RSIGuard shortcut is placed in the system "StartUp" folder which applies to all users. Move this shortcut to the "StartUp" folders of users who wish to run RSIGuard and only those users will launch RSIGuard upon logging in.

When RSIGuard runs, I can't use the numeric keypad. Why? or Where are my hotkeys?

During the setup wizard, the KeyControl wizard page gave you the option of putting default hotkeys on the numeric keypad. If you chose this option, normal numeric keypad function (i.e. typing numbers) was replaced with RSIGuard hotkeys. To change the hotkeys to be somewhere else on the keyboard (or to remove hotkeys altogether), go to the Setup menu, select Settings, and select the KeyControl tab. Change the hotkeys to your desired location (or remove them if you don't want them).

You can view your hotkey assignments by selecting "Show Hotkey Assignments" in the Setup menu. You may wish to place stickers on the keys you use to remind you where the hotkeys are. Click here for more information on hotkeys.

RSIGuard Support asked me to email my settings. How do I do that?

If someone from RSIGuard support has requested that you send your configuration settings to us, these are the steps to follow to do so:

Hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and then click on the Tools menu of RSIGuard.
In the Tools menu, select the item "Send Configuration Information to RSIGuard Support".
To do this, you must have a default email client configured (e.g. Outlook). If you do not, you will get an error message. However, performing steps 1 & 2 caused RSIGuard to write the configuration files on your hard drive, so you can still send them to us by sending them as an email attachment to Technical Support. The files to attach are stored on your hard drive as: C:\Temp\ConfHCU.txt and C:\Temp\ConfHLM.txt

What evidence supports the value of RSIGuard features?

Several studies have indicated that breaks are appropriate prevention for computer-related RSI's, and our pilot research has shown that people are more likely to take breaks if they occur at appropriate times. Our users consistently state that BreakTimer predicts break-need better than other systems they have tried. People with mouse discomfort who use AutoClick often report that the reduction in discomfort is both immediate and permanent, which makes sense since AutoClick reduces or eliminates the need to click and drag with the mouse -- known causes of RSI. Awareness of risky behaviors has been proven to be beneficial towards injury prevention, and this is the benefit of ForgetMeNots. We have received very positive feedback from Occupational Therapists and Certified Hand Therapists about the information from DataLogger.

As we consolidate research for presentation on our website, we appreciate assistance from researchers and ergonomics scientists. However, in our discussions with foremost researchers on RSI, a frequent comment is that there is very little research that validates any current ergonomic aid. Although this lack of evidence does not imply that current methods don't work, it also gives little guidance about what does. That is a primary motivation for RSIGuard's DataLogger. We believe that by showing how, how long, and how intensely people are working we can not only help researchers find patterns that cause RSI, but we can help learn what behavior changes are most associated with recovery. Although we have initiated research along this line of reasoning, we are always anxious to discuss research possibilities with interested ergonomics scientists.

Click here to view a report that includes research references.

Miscellaneous about Repetitive Strain Injuries

What does RSI stand for? Are there other names for RSI?

RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury though some people say RSI stands for Repetitive Stress Injury. Another name for RSI is Cumulative Strain Disorder (CTD) or occupational overuse syndrome (OOS). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is often used interchangably with RSI, but CTS is really just one of many types of RSI -- others include tendinitis (often spelled tendonitis), tenosynovitis, deQuervain's syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and many others.

Is RSI a recent problem?

According to a 1995 paper by Joy Linn: In 1893 "Gray's Anatomy" describes peritendinitis crepitans as occurring in washer women (Barton, 1989). Some old names for CTD from the past include: glass arm, telegraphist's cramp and washer woman's thumb. In the 19th century "traumatic tenosynovitis" and "peritendinitis crepitanis" were acknowledged as pain caused by work activities. Earlier this century morse code operators experienced similar disorders. The recognition of CTD has increased as the numbers of injuries increase worldwide.