TimeCracker has been optimized with the commonly used features. However it contains a lot more customizations which are highly flexible. It is recommended that the user go through all the options and "tweak" TimeCracker to their own settings. Here are some guidelines on using other options.
The options of TimeCracker are categorized into four main sections and each of them is described below.
This section provides the option whether to update the timings in the main screen during window focus or should it be updated continuously.
These options provide the user flexibility for logging:
Log if idle for : This option is used to calculate (customize) idle time. If the system is idle for more than the "number of mins" specified here it will be marked as "Idle" and the log will be saved.
Path for Log: This is the folder path which is used for storing all the log files and reports generated by TimeCracker. By default the the path is <<TimeCracker path>>\logs folder. However it is recommended for the user to change this path, if there are chances that TimeCraker would be re-installed, or else the logs would be deleted on un-installation.
Read Days log automatically on startup : When this options is enabled, TimeCracker automatically loads the current days' log file on the startup.
Save log automatically on exit : When there is a system wide shutdown or TimeCracker exits, this option lets the user decide whether the log should be saved to the disk or should be ignored.
Save log on exit date : When the TimeCracker is run continously across days, it gives the user a option to decide whether the log should be saved with the TimeCracker starting date or will it be saved in the exit date of the TimeCracker.
Dont prompt on exit : If you do not wish to prompt of saving file during the system shutdown or exit of TimeCracker, you can safely use this option. This option will disable showing of prompt message when log is saved.
Overwrite log file : If you wish to append to existing log file in the disk, you need to uncheck this option. Using this option will overwrite any existing log file.
By default, the TimeCracker monitors the opened windows using their title names. This behavior may not be suitable in all situations. Example while creating a new message in "Outlook Express" the window title changes according to the subject. In this situation the logs of TimeCracker would show multiple entries with different titles. Another example is "Download Progress" where the title is the % of download which keeps changing.
To solve this problem You can choose to monitor windows with specific titles by their Window ID (e.g Window with title "Download Progress").
In the "Window Tracking" option you can type each title and then press "+" which will add it to the list.
There are other options but still essential for configuring TimeCracker.
Auto save report in Excel on exit : When this option is enabled, TimeCracker exports the log file to Excel format. When this feature is used the user needs to make that he has got Ms Office Suite installed in his system.
Auto save report in HTML on exit : This option saves the report into the nicely formatted HTML page.
Start during windows startup : To automate the monitoring, the user can use this option which start TimeCracker automatically on windows startup.
Start Minimized : If you want the TimeCracker to start silently without showing the main screen, you can safely use this option to minimize the window during the startup of TimeCracker.
Ok : This will save the settings and closes the dialog box.
Cancel : This will close the Options window without saving the settings.
Apply : This will apply and save changes without closing the Options window.