I am looking for a countdown timer that will run in Windows' system
tray.  Please note I am specifically looking for a timer that would
display in the systems tray (the idea being that it would be visible
in all applications without being jarring).  Ideally, a full countdown
would be visible, displayed where the time is displayed now; a lesser
preferred alternative would be one that would display the countdown in
a Tooltip window when the mouse cursor is held above the application's
icon.

Ideal aspects would include (1) an ability to turn off the seconds
display, (2) the ability to base the countdown on a time (i.e. how
many minutes until 2:30 pm).

I would prefer it to be freeware or relatively low-cost Shareware. 
Please, the program should not contain spyware.

Hi wcitypoe,

Thank you for your question.

I can highly recommend Chameleon Clock which is what the utility
I use.  It has a wonderful countdown that can be displayed in many
ways, along with an alarm if you choose to use it.

If you don't mind putting up with a small splash screen and all you do
is click "I Agree" when it starts, the program is freeware.

The first image on this page is what it looks like if you choose to
use no skin and use the transparent background.
http://www.softshape.com/software/desktop/chamclock/screenshots/

The program uses 

It's a nice digital clock replacement of the Windows tray clock which
may change its look using Winamp skins, run alarms, synchronize atomic
time, show a calendar, countdown, etc.

It's extremely easy to set up the options and uses hardly any
resources.  I know several researchers who are using it, and it's very
popular.

Read reviews here:
http://www.download.com/3302-2350_4-10245892.html

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ZeroTimer 
http://www.waseo.de/en/Products/Freeware1/DateTimeSoftware/ZeroTimer1/zerotimer1.html

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Multi Timer (7th on the list)
http://www.programming.de/


More on this page:
http://www.freewarehome.com/Business_and_Productivity/Date_and_Time_Management/Timers_t.html

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AlarmXP Lite 
http://www.rpoint.com/

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AleJenJes Countdown Timer v2.1
http://www.gonebowlin.com/freeware.html

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Countdown Timer 1.0 
http://www.freewarepro.com/info.php?categoryid=27&fileid=680

=================================================

Karen's Countdown Timer II
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptcount2.asp

Karen's Original Countdown Timer v1.4
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptcount.asp 

=================================================


Best regards,
tlspiegel

Thanks.  Chameleon Clock was exactly what I was looking for,
especially with its Serif font.

Hi wcitypoe,

I meant to type:  I can highly recommend Chameleon Clock which is the utility
I use. 

And pay no attention to: The program uses 

Sorry for the errors!

Thanks!
tlspiegel

Hi wcitypoe,

Thank you for the 5 star rating!  :)

Best regards,
tlspiegel

No problem.  You found exactly what I was looking for, and my
specifications were pretty precise, so I felt you deserved it. :-)