zachleat.com/Projects/alarmd/ - Your Computer Alarm

If you ever thought that it would be uber cool if you could use your computer as an alarm clock, you’re not alone. A programmer named Zach Leatherman has actually created an alarm clock that runs in your browser. This means of course, that you can wake up to your Last.fm playlist, your fav Funny or Die skit, or a new YouTube video. How’s that for a wake up call? Alarmd has all the features of your regular bedside clock, sleep mode, military time, multiple alarms, and a kill button to let you keep sleeping. You can choose standard alarm clock colors, green, red, or a more soothing blue. There’s a test button to make sure the volume is set properly and you can customize the font size (perfect for those who have to squint every morning just to see what time it is). It’s cool, but you better keep an eye on those batteries.

“Did you take your contacts out last night and you can't see the time on your alarm clock from all the way across the room? I'm here to calm your fears. Enter ALARMD, the Internet Alarm Clock. Wake up to any Youtube video (that allows embedding), a last.fm user stream or tag, or any mp3 hosted online. There are a few defaults in there, but you can add and modify your own.”

A very cool idea. Who doesn’t like the thought of being able to wake up to a video or your favorite mp3’s? This is so much better than a trad alarm clock. Maybe you’ll actually want to get up.

Alarmd could cause your screen to burn. It’s hardly energy efficient. Regular alarm clocks do the job just fine and they can take the dramatic bumps and thumps given to them each morning when you’re trying to hit snooze every five minutes; your computer is more delicate.