CherryTomato is an Open Source application for Windows that acts as a software based timer for the Pomodoro Technique. You still need to write down the tasks that you want to complete on any given day though.

The program sits in the Windows system tray after installation. You start and stop sessions with a right-click on the program icon and the selection of Start Pomodoro from the context menu.

The new session begins and a statistics window will be displayed after 25 minutes have passed. The program displays the keyboard and mouse activity in that time, as well as all applications and tasks during that time. This includes all web pages and programs that have been active during that time.

Sessions can be rated and either approved or dismissed. Another option is a reminder that can remind you after five, ten or fifteen minutes to start another Pomodoro session.

You need to start a new session the same way. This is probably the biggest usability issue as there is no option to use a shortcut or to automate the creation of new sessions. Whenever you are ready, you need to right-click and select Start Pomodoro.

The program settings can be used to customize the program. CherryTomato will for instance indicate in Live Messenger and Skype that you are currently in Pomodoro to avoid interruption. This can be disabled. It is furthermore possible to create regular reminders to start a new Pomodoro session.

Windows users can download CherryTomato from the develop website. The program is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the Windows operating system.

Alternatives that offer better automation are Instant Boss and Interruptron. (via)

It will also display a quick task window that can be used to add or edit new widgets quickly.

The options provided to edit or add a new widget are extensive. A click on any of the buttons in the quick task window will open the applications’s main window that contains the various widgets that can be created on the left side and the existing widgets of the active category on the right.

A click on the add or edit button will open a properties window for the selected widget type that contains many options to choose from including titles, layout, formats, skins and visual effects like transparency and borders.

The active widgets can be moved around on the computer desktop easily. They are set to stay on top of other windows so that they are always visible. This among many other settings can be changed in the main program options.

One interesting widget is the Auction Watch add-on which can be installed as a plugin for Firefox and Internet Explorer.

This allows the user to watch auctions with the program running in the background and receive reminders when an auction reaches the end.

Verdict:

Timeleft is a feature rich time management tool for the Windows operating system that will suite the needs of most users who are in need of such a program.

Statistics and Information can be accessed on the Rescue Time website that displays reminds a little bit of Google Analytics. It displays all kind of information such as the total time spend working, the most popular applications and websites, top tags and even goals that can be set in the application.

Applications and sites can be tagged which is useful to combine them if they are related. The tag image editor could for instance be linked to Adobe Photoshop, GIMP and a Photoshop Tutorial website on the Internet. The user would then have the option to view the time spend with each application separately or together by looking at the tag.

Goals can be set and tracked in the application and goal alerts can be send by email and SMS to the user. Goals are related to tags. It is for instance possible to set a goal to spend less than one hour per day on entertainment sites or at least two hours updating your blogs.

There is also a summary RSS feed for goals to keep track of them that way. New users can take a look at a tour or various tutorials that explain concepts. One interesting feature that I left out is the group feature which is a Pay to use feature.

The service is aimed at business groups and can be used in a similar way to track time management and analyse the work flow, only that it is taking into consideration every member of the group.