Measuring real usage
The core of AppBox is not to settle for "installed / not installed", but to measure whether an application is actually used. Usage is graded into three levels, computed over the last 30 days from foreground time.
| Level | Definition | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Unused | Never opened in 30 days | Installed but ghost: first candidate for uninstallation |
| Rarely used | Opened, but below a threshold (e.g. less than one hour over 30 days) | Marginal usage: candidate for a downgrade (free or web version) |
| Used | Above the threshold | Genuinely productive application |
Screenshot to add
File to drop: static/img/screenshots/appbox/niveaux-usage.png
Content: the usage levels display (unused / rarely used / used) on an application.
Why 30 days and foreground time
Foreground time (the active window on screen) is the best indicator of real usage: an application open in the background but never looked at does not count as used. The 30-day window smooths variations (holidays, quiet periods) while staying representative.
What it is concretely for
- Spot licenses paid for applications that are never opened (unused).
- Identify marginal usage (rarely used) that could switch to a cheaper alternative.
- Distinguish, among applications installed everywhere, those that genuinely deserve their license.
This measurement feeds the waste calculation in Owned, installed, used.