Time tracking tool for monitoring application usage

I want to know how I'm really using my computer, and where the time goes (I have an English paper due, and I intend on getting it done, it's 2:30 PM... no wait, it's 8:30 PM...).

Which software can tell me:

What programs I use, and when
Within programs like Google Chrome or Firefox, which tabs I spend the most time on. (I would then know if I'm spending the time playing a game, or watching a movie on Hulu...)

wizlog

Posted 2011-11-22T01:23:02.487

Reputation: 12 320

Wakoopa is quite cool for this. – Gaff – 2011-11-22T02:28:01.243

@Gareth Why not add that as an answer? – wizlog – 2011-11-22T05:10:07.610

Answers

Procrastitracker is free & suits your needs well.

Is there a program that can give me a detailed report on how long certain processes run per day?

ProcrastiTracker

Sathyajith Bhat

Posted 2011-11-22T01:23:02.487

Reputation: 58 436

Thanks (+1). Can either of these help me figure out which tabs I focus on the most? – wizlog – 2011-11-22T20:52:23.453

Procrastitracker will give you all the details. Wakoopa is a good aggregator of programs that you've run, Procrastitracker will give you the details @Wizlog – Sathyajith Bhat – 2011-11-23T04:12:09.637

Intended to check out Wakoopa, but it turns out that it have been shut down. – TrolleFar – 2012-10-01T15:56:25.470

@TrolleFar yeah, sadly it shut down few months ago. I'll edit it out, thanks for reminding – Sathyajith Bhat – 2012-10-01T15:59:19.820

I found this application from a lifehacker article: RescueTime. It has both paid and free services with analytics available.

I also found this one: Kiwi, but it seems to be more of monitoring memory and CPU usage than applications and browser tabs in the way you need.

rishimaharaj

Posted 2011-11-22T01:23:02.487

Reputation: 1 206

"I just signed up for the free version of RescueTime, so I will update this answer with further findings." Thanks very much (I don't think I've ever seen someone so dedicated to an answer before)! I doubt it will be necessary for you to be bothered with my software updates for software updates you may not even want. Again, thanks alot, and welcome to SuperUser

– wizlog – 2011-11-22T02:20:15.207

Checkout Time Tracker Pro for Mac.

It's an app that automatically tracks what apps and documents you're working on. So no reason to enter all that manually.

(Disclosure: I'm the author)

Maverick

Posted 2011-11-22T01:23:02.487

Reputation: 111

Do you also have one for Windows? – wizlog – 2012-04-04T19:06:15.837

Not yet, but we're planning to release one soon. You can signup on our mailing list (bottom link on the website), and we'll email you when it's ready. – Maverick – 2012-04-04T21:36:33.540

I think you mean "disclosure." ;) – Patrick Seymour – 2012-04-04T21:45:14.023