I need to know what I'm doing and when I need to do it.

August 31, 2012 10:46 AM

I am looking for a wonderful timer program for Mac (OS X 10.7.4 +). It needs to have a Cocoa GUI (meaning a GUI that isn't ugly, and isn't unnecessarily complicated), the ability to run multiple timers, and the ability to name timers with a decent amount of detail. Sound is an important feature, too. Command line alternatives are also cool, but not ideal. More information inside:

I tried the Howler timer just now and found most of what I was looking for, but the fonts aren't beautiful, it has unnecessary features like unit converters, and the upgrade button is always shown unless I shell out some dough ($0.99). The aesthetics and unnecessary features make me unwilling to do that.

I am not opposed to paying for the functionality I want. I haven't looked any further because there are so many options, instead, I am opting to ask the wise MeFi tribe for guidance.

What do you use? What would you recommend?

posted by oceanjesse to technology (5 answers total)

I'm not sitting in front of it at the moment so I don't know that it pegs all your requirements, but I've used "Alarm Clock" for a long time.

It does timed alarms, which I think you can't name and timers, which I think you can. You can also have it (at least for the alarms) go off with any sound you want.
posted by brentajones at 11:08 AM on August 31, 2012

My absolute favorite timer app is TicToc. It looks like there's a new major version since I last used it that improves the UI for multiple timers.

I've also used and liked Minuteur, but I remember the interface for multiple timers being a little awkward.
posted by duien at 12:27 PM on August 31, 2012

Alarm Clock doesn't do multiple timers, but is certainly slicker than Howler Timer.

TicToc looks gorgeous, I might get it.
posted by oceanjesse at 1:12 PM on August 31, 2012

Ah, sorry about that. I can (and do) set about 10 alarms in the morning to make sure I get up, but I don't use the timers function much.
posted by brentajones at 1:54 PM on August 31, 2012

Oh no! I downloaded TicToc and found that it's the opposite of what I'm looking for (though still a neat productivity tool).

To be more specific, I'm looking for a countdown timer.
posted by oceanjesse at 8:58 AM on September 1, 2012