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Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

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Re: Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

#21

Post by rambambram »

rukenshia wrote: post #16
rambambram wrote: post #15

The whole idea of pomodoro comes from a physical kitchen timer in the shape of... you guessed it, a pomodoro. The best UX for the pomodoro technique can be found in this physical kitchen timer, if you'd ask me.

I think functionally the Focus Dial (I linked to it in my README as well) is the much better „product“ and keeps exactly that UX compared to what I built. I had to face the reality of my own limited knowledge and skillset to build something like that (and wanted to do my own thing), plus I really ended up liking that epaper display.

I must admit I've been guilty of reacting on the title and not your post. I opened it, saw some machine and immediately thought of the kitchen timer in the shape of a pomodoro I have on my desk here. Which is so dead simple, that's why I like it.

Now that I read your post and look at the photos, I think you definitely add something with the division of certain tasks! Besides, it's always cool to build something yourself, so please don't read my previous comment as a snark about reinventing the wheel or something. I just really appreciate the simple mechanical kitchen timer recommended for the pomodoro technique.

Re: Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

#22

Post by stavros »

latexr wrote: post #18
neuah wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly what i thought of as well. That's what i always used to use.

That’s where the concept and name come from. “Pomodo” means “tomato” in Italian, and the author of the technique had one of those. The image comes from its Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

Correction: "pomodoro" means "tomato".

Re: Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

#23

Post by dexterdog »

thunder-blue-3 wrote: post #9

Every time I see something pertaining to a pomodoro timer, I'm reminded of interviewing with a YC founder in downtown san mateo in the early 2010s (he was working on websockets + slide deck/prezi-like tech iirc), and half our interview consisted of him hyping up this technique. The company went under within a year, and I could never respect this technique afterwards

The technique isn't what caused his company to fail. A big part of it was likely his obsession with the technique. He also probably wasted massive amounts of time setting up his other tools instead of using them.

Re: Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

#26

Post by rlupi »

atemerev wrote: post #19

I know assembling things is half the fun, but if you just want a universal ESP32 device with screen and buttons, I recommend M5stack. Cheap, programmable, uniquitous.

They are great. I have actually built my own pomodoro timer using a M5Stack Core2, maybe I should publish the code. It's a lot simpler than this one.

Update: here it is https://github.com/robertolupi/augmented-awareness/tree/main...

Re: Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

#27

Post by rukenshia »

rambambram wrote: post #21
rukenshia wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think functionally the Focus Dial (I linked to it in my README as well) is the much better „product“ and keeps exactly that UX compared to what I built. I had to face the reality of my own limited knowledge and skillset to build something like that (and wanted to do my own thing), plus I really ended up liking that epaper display.

I must admit I've been guilty of reacting on the title and not your post. I opened it, saw some machine and immediately thought of the kitchen timer in the shape of a pomodoro I have on my desk here. Which is so dead simple, that's why I like it. Now that I read your post and look at the photos, I think you definitely add something with the division of certain tasks! Besides, it's always cool to build something yours…

Absolutely no offense taken! I knew I was overengineering the hell out of this when I started it :)

Re: Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

#29

Post by ISL »

teddyh wrote: post #13

Physical pomodoro: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Il_pomod... >

Yep. Any timer will do.

If you find yourself programming an eInk display and a microchip in order to improve your procrastination, it is time to stop working on the project, get a physical timer, and work on the thing.

If you feel inclined to shop around for a timer before getting to work, I'll save you the search. These work great. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TLC9SFZ (but any timer will do).

Go do the thing. You're worth it.

Re: Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen

#30

Post by jpcom »

It's very beautiful, lovely work. Sleek and shiny, it's a device that begs for interaction, which is important in something that you'll be engaging with every 24-30 minutes. I would like a version of the display to show grains of sand falling through a digital hourglass.
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