How to use the online alarm clock
A short afternoon nap before an evening shift only helps if you actually get up again, which is where an alarm for 4:40 pm earns its keep. This rings through your browser at 4:40 pm, so a laptop on the couch arm can do the waking for you.
After picking a tone, press Start and leave the page open. It doesn't need an internet connection once it's running, but it does need the tab itself to stay open, so avoid closing the browser or letting the device fall asleep before the time is reached.
The advantage of a browser alarm is volume and reliability at a desk: laptop speakers are often louder and easier to hear across a room than a phone left in a bag. The catch is that it depends entirely on the tab staying open; if the browser closes or the laptop sleeps, the alarm won't fire. On a 24-hour clock 4:40 pm is written 16:40, and spoken aloud it's twenty to five in the evening. Timetables and rosters may show it as 16:40, and handwritten notes as 4.40 pm. If you need it loud, turn the system volume up before you start: the alarm plays at whatever the device is set to.
Common questions
Can I change the alarm sound?
Yes, there's a short list of tones to choose from before you press Start. Pick whichever one you're most likely to actually hear — softer sounds are easier to sleep through than a firm chime or bell.
What happens once the alarm goes off?
It rings through your device's speakers on a loop until you stop it from this page. There's no separate app notification, so make sure your volume is turned up before you rely on it.
Is this alarm accurate across daylight saving time?
It uses your device's local clock, so as long as your computer's time and date settings are correct, it'll adjust automatically when daylight saving time starts or ends.
Can I use this on my phone instead of a laptop?
Yes, it works in a mobile browser the same way, but phones are more likely to lock the screen or sleep, which can stop the alarm from ringing. A laptop or desktop tends to be more reliable for this.
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