Black Screen

Healthcare professionals recommend you take some small breaks every now and then to maintain your overall health. Not only does starting at the screen for prolonged periods strain your eyes or make pre-existing conditions worse, but it also leads to headaches, lack of focus or poor concentration.

Black Screen is a tool designed to help you set and take breaks from your computer so that you can rest your eyes and reset your attention.

Following a quick and uneventful installation, you are able to access the program from the System Tray. The app does not come with an interface per se, but rather displays the command for showing and hiding the black screen, which in both cases is Alt + CTRL and F10. Pressing a hotkey to toggle the monitor on and off is somehow slightly faster than turning the monitor on and off.

In terms of Settings, the application allows you to set the intervals when the app will turn off your monitor and for how long. The Settings can be accessed after the app is in black screen mode, an aspect that can be a little irritating.

If you press any key while in dark screen mode, the app starts displaying random images. The images change every time and you can even use a tag to get the types of picture you prefer in the said slideshow. In a way, the app can also help you take small breaks to regain your focus and perhaps, get some inspiration.

If you are forced to spend a lot of hours in front of your computer, regardless of whether it is due to work or other activities, then it is important that you take breaks from time to time. Black Screen is a simple and straightforward application that enables you to set timers for when you should take breaks and can help maintain your focus and overall health – especially of your sight – in the long run.