Hi 👋

Say hello to a fresh beta WhatPulse release! This last release of 2023 includes a new language, and a bunch of bug fixes and improvements. Read on for more details.

🎉 New Features​

• Brazilian Portuguese Language: WhatPulse now includes a Brazilian Portuguese translation, making it more accessible to Portuguese-speaking users. Courtesy of Éder Magalhães Machado.

🐛 Bug Fixes​

• A bug that could cause the application to crash if a backup took too long has been fixed.
• A fix has been applied to ensure application icons in certain lists are visible on all table rows. Certain systems had the icons inside even rows hidden.
• Uptime Calendar Bug: Fixed a crash related to fast navigation through the uptime calendar.
• Auto Pulse Settings Disabling Fix: Resolved an issue where disabling auto pulse settings wasn’t being saved correctly.

📈 Improvements​

• Windows: The installer now consistently uses 'WhatPulse' as its registry key instead of a random GUID. This means the WhatPulse version in the registry is always up to date, meaning apps like UCheck won't be confused about which version is installed.
• macOS: Dynamically detect whether the device is Intel or Apple Silicon-based. This means you'll always get the right version when updating.
• Linux: The AppImage will now always load bundled OpenSSL libraries to prevent SSL errors when there's a gap in your OpenSSL version and the one WhatPulse's build with.
• Client API: Ensured that the REST API always returns the JSON format headers, and fix a possible delay when connecting with an IP address that's not in the allowed list.
• Immediate Tray Icon Update: When you change the color settings, the tray icon will now update right away to reflect the changes.

How to Upgrade​

You can upgrade by using Check for Updates when you've enabled beta updates. You can also download the installers below:

I’m excited to announce that TypeTest.io, the clean and simple typing test website developed by Lucas Hockley, is joining the WhatPulse family.

Originally from Cambridgeshire, UK, Lucas began developing TypeTest.io four years ago and has since delivered over 6 million type tests through a focus on a sleek design, complemented by a modern, minimal typing experience.

The TypeTest.io website lets users track their progress across different typing test modes and compete on the global leaderboards. While simplicity is key, you can customize your type tests by choosing a simple or advanced word list, the duration, using punctuation or numbers, and the end result is a magnificent chart of your typing session.

We’ve acquired TypeTest.io to further enhance the functionality of the typing test website and integrate it with our existing WhatPulse community, like the ability to share the tests via your WhatPulse profile, adding achievement badges to collect alongside your other WhatPulse accolades, and the integration of WPM roles into our popular and growing WhatPulse Discord server. We have some exciting plans for TypeTest.io as well, like supporting multiple languages, building out more leaderboards, and more.

Existing WhatPulse users can look forward to TypeTest.io’s typing test soon being integrated into the WhatPulse website as an additional fun activity. Who are the fastest typists among our community? It’s time to find out!

The latest update of WhatPulse, version 5.6, brings a host of exciting new features and improvements to enhance your user experience. Let's dive right in and explore the highlights below.

Holiday / Black Friday Premium discount!​

But first, a quick note that we're running a holiday promotion for WhatPulse Premium for the next two weeks! Get 50% off on any plan using the discount code BLACKFRIDAY23 during checkout. Click here to get started!

What's new in v5.6?​

• 🔕 Brand-new setting to squash tray notifications when WhatPulse auto pulses. Disable Notification on auto pulse to stop receiving pulse notifications, but continue to get notifications on other things.
• 🍏 macOS Sonoma (14.0) support, and improves hardware details detection. Hardware details show up on your computer profile pages.
• ✨ Twinkling new settings design, making it easier to discover which settings are available and how to tweak WhatPulse to your taste 👇

Introducing a Web Socket API​

Major API changes! If you don’t know what an API is, skip this section. 🙂

WhatPulse has had a REST API for a looong time. Using the WhatPulse Client API, gives you access to the local stats of the client, and present those stats somewhere. You’re created physical Geek Windows with Raspberry Pis, logged daily stats into Excel sheets, and more.

This release brings a web socket version of the Client API, running on port 3489 by default. You’ll get stats update messages every 2 seconds, and you can ask the client to pulse or open the window. More info on the API can be found in the developer documentation.

This also brings me to the next addition:

Introducing the WhatPulse Stream Deck plugin!​

The Elgato Stream Deck has some wonderful uses. I've got it set up to quickly send shortcuts, open apps, control my meetings, and show details about my system (like CPU usage). With the new WhatPulse plugin for Stream Deck, you can display your statistics right on your device.

There are 25 buttons available that will show your statistics, from your account totals, your ranks, your unpulsed stats, and real-time keys & clicks per second and network traffic.

You can also open the WhatPulse window using the Open Window button, and use the Pulse button to send a pulse - straight from your Stream Deck!

Find the plugin on the Stream Deck Marketplace, and find step by step instructions on how to install it in our Help Center.

Other Improvements in v5.6​

• macOS: Improved performance of the hardware detection by integrating directly into macOS, instead of using the system_profiler and ioreg commands. In English: WhatPulse uses less CPU when detecting your devices.
• General Client API performance improvements. Less CPU used when hammering the API. I’d still recommend trying the new web socket API, if you’re collecting stats often.
• Tackled a few memory leaks discovered through testing tools. Less memory = good.
• The portable mode setting has found a new home in the Advanced Actions button. Not many of you use it, so this saves space in the general settings.

How to update​

Version 5.6 is now available when you use the Check for Updates function, and you can download it from: https://whatpulse.org/downloads

Not long ago, Discord was seen as the place for gamers to chat. However, since the pandemic, Discord has experienced strong growth in servers covering a wide range of topics. This growth has led to the launch of many new and exciting servers, fostering quality discussions in various categories. This article focuses on a growing trend: Productivity.

We have compiled a list of some of the best Discord servers to join, aiming to provide you with the productivity boost you need to get through the workweek, help with project management and prioritization, and avoid dangerous procrastination.

Tools for Thought:​

First up is Tools for Thought, a Discord server that focuses on the best tools available to professionals and how to make the most out of them to enhance productivity. While it previously focused mainly on Notion, the server has expanded to include discussions on a wide range of different tools. This server is a fantastic resource for discovering new tools that can transform you into a productivity ninja.

Link to Discord: https://discord.com/invite/hGNfbtRPS5

Productivity Cafe:​

Productivity Cafe is a growing Discord server with an active user base and a strong emphasis on community, self-improvement, accountability, and productivity. You can find an accountability partner, publicly track your daily and weekly to-dos, and participate in movie nights to connect with the community once your workday is complete. They describe themselves as a group of caffeine-fueled productivity wizards on a mission to conquer the dragons of distraction. Unleash your potential and check out this server.

Link to Discord: https://discord.gg/DXdK4WUPWe

/r/Productivity:​

As the server name suggests, this Discord originated from the popular and active Reddit community dedicated to all things productivity. While Reddit is excellent for longer discussions, their Discord server is a hive of live activity when it comes to discussing productivity. It offers channels dedicated to recommending and discussing the best apps, books, systems, websites, and project management tools, as well as channels focused on self-improvement and motivation. If productivity is your thing, joining this server is definitely worthwhile.

Link to Discord: https://discord.com/invite/productivity

Notion:​

Notion has become the all-in-one solution for many businesses and professionals, serving as an internal documentation platform, wiki, and even handling more advanced functions such as content calendar management, finances, and budgeting. Not surprisingly, Notion has its very own Discord server that focuses on making the most out of Notion, helping you become more productive. The server provides tips on commands, resources, and templates that can assist you in maximizing the potential of this amazing tool.

Link to Discord: https://discord.com/invite/notion

WhatPulse:​

Last but not least, we can't miss mentioning our very own Discord server for WhatPulse, which includes a dedicated channel for all things productivity. In this server, you can chat and learn about the tools used by our most productive WhatPulse users to help them make the most of their working week and improve their stats.

Link to Discord: https://discord.com/invite/FtddS6Fwve

In an exclusive interview with Website Planet, Martijn Smit, the founder of WhatPulse, shares insights into how this app enhances productivity and work health. WhatPulse offers powerful features for tracking keyboard and mouse activity, application usage, and network monitoring, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. With a user-friendly interface and a supportive user community, WhatPulse sets itself apart from the competition.

Find out more about how WhatPulse benefits remote teams, improves workers' health, and provides a sneak peek at the upcoming launch of WhatPulse Professional, tailored for organizations.

Dive deeper into the world of WhatPulse by reading the full interview on Website Planet: https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/whatpulse-interview/