I've released an update to my Menubar Countdown application.
See http://capablehands.net/story/menubarcountdown/announce/v1.1 for details.
gpl
Menubar Countdown 1.0 for Mac OS X Released
Lately, I've been experimenting with the Pomodoro Technique for time management. The basic idea is that you work in focused 25-minute bursts, with short breaks between bursts. You are supposed to use a kitchen timer to avoid getting distracted by looking at the clock.
Of course, as a computer guy …