What is mySecs?

Set of applications (windows client, web) to measure/analyze time spent in a day. Currently only Windows Client is ready.

Why did I create mySecs?

There are couple of reasons.

• To start with, I wanted to learn IronPython, Python implementation for Windows .NET framework.
• I'm keen on improving productivity.
• Having these two in mind, I developed mySecs.

How to get started?

• Download the latest Windows Client Tool.
• Unzip into a directory (do not open the zip file)
• From the unzipped directory, execute mysecs.exe

What about configuration?

There are three types of configuration in the config.xml file.

• Don't Track : List the applications that you don't want to track. It could include any games or music play or other non-productive applications. It depends on personal preference.
• Application Mapping : mySecs comes with few categorization. However it is not comprehensive. Feel free to modify and/or add to this mapping. This is of type,

<application category="Browsing">iexplore</application> Application name is as it appears in the Task Manager. It is neither the executable name nor Application Title. I know it is difficult, however as of now, I don't know of a better way. If you've any suggestions, feel free to contact me.

• Google AppEngine : I've a plan to integrate with a web application hosted in Google AppEngine. This is not fully implemented and hence can be ignored.

Is my data safe?

Currently there is only a Windows Client Tool and no integration with any other web servers. Hence the data lies within the machine that you install.

Are there any screen shots?

As soon as you open the tool, it will display a blank dashboard. As the tool gathers data the dashboard will be displayed properly. Dashboards contains two pie-charts. One is about top 5 applications and another is top 5 categories. Time is mentioned in minutes.

Dashboard screen shot:

You can also download the raw data(as csv), from which you can do an analysis on your own. DataGrid screen shot:

How stable is mySecs?

It works in my machine :-). As I continue to develop, I'll fix bugs reported. If you find any bugs, please file it in the Issue Log.

Aren't there other tools?

As I mentioned earlier, I started with this for learning. But as I started with the development, I came to know of few similar tools.

• Slife
• RescueTime

How can I help?

• Write about it
• Do a code review
• Test and report issues
• Mention features that you would like
• Surprise me with gifts from Amazon. Check with me before you really do it. I may have already gotten the book. ;-)

Version History

• Oct 12, 2008 : Release of version with dashboard features

Acknowledgment

• IronPython team for bringing out a simpler, easier tool for Windows GUI programming.
• IronPython Cookbook.
• Voidspace for tons of tips on IronPython.
• Zedgraph for the simple to use open source Charting library in .NET.
• DevAge for the simple to use free spreadsheet library in .NET.
• Amit, Head IS dept, iGATE for permitting to publish this as an Open Source.