How Drunk Am I? — Best Settings for Windows 10 and 8.1

How Drunk Am I? — Best Settings for Windows 10 and 8.1If you use the “How Drunk Am I?” app on Windows 10 or 8.1, optimizing the settings will improve accuracy, usability, and privacy. This guide covers recommended settings, calibration tips, accessibility adjustments, battery and performance considerations, troubleshooting, and privacy best practices so the app works reliably when you need it.

1. App overview and what to expect

“How Drunk Am I?” estimates blood alcohol concentration (BAC) using user inputs (weight, sex, drinks consumed, drink types, and time) and — where available — device sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, and camera). It’s meant for entertainment and general guidance, not medical or legal advice. Always follow local laws and avoid driving if you suspect impairment.

2. System requirements and permissions

• Minimum OS: Windows 8.1; recommended: Windows 10 (64-bit) for best stability.
• RAM: 2 GB minimum; 4 GB+ recommended if you run other apps simultaneously.
• Camera: required for apps that offer gait or eye-tracking tests.
• Microphone: optional for voice-based input or breath-analysis peripherals.
• Permissions to grant: Camera, Microphone (only if using those features), and optionally Location for local drink recommendations or legal info. Deny permissions you don’t need.

3. Initial setup and user profile

• Create a detailed user profile: accurate weight, biological sex, and typical drink strengths. These are the main factors affecting BAC estimates.
• Set your preferred units: kg or lbs, mL or oz, and time format (24‑hour or 12‑hour). Consistency avoids calculation errors.
• Turn on secure PIN or Windows Hello to prevent unauthorized access to your drinking history.

4. Best app settings for accuracy

• Drink entries
  • Choose the most accurate drink preset (beer, wine, spirits) and edit alcohol by volume (ABV) when possible — small ABV differences change results significantly.
  • Prefer custom drink sizes over default “glass” options when you know the exact volume.
• Timing and session tracking
  • Record the time you started and finished each drink; do not batch-enter multiple drinks at once unless they were consumed close together.
  • Enable session mode if you want the app to track continuous intake and provide live BAC updates.
• Sensor-based tests (if available)
  • Use a flat, well-lit surface for camera-based tests. Avoid backlight and reflections.
  • Calibrate motion sensors by following the app prompts — walk in a straight line for the recommended distance if gait analysis is offered.
• Breath or external devices
  • If using a connected breathalyzer, enable the dedicated device mode and ensure firmware is up to date. Device readings should override estimations from drink logs when available.

5. Performance and power settings

• Background activity: allow the app to run in the background only if you rely on real-time session tracking; otherwise disable to save battery.
• Startup behavior: disable auto-start if you’re concerned about privacy or battery; enable if you expect to track sessions frequently.
• Graphics/animations: turn off heavy animations on older machines (Windows 8.1 systems or low-RAM devices) to reduce UI lag.

6. Accessibility and usability adjustments

• High contrast and large text: enable within the app or use Windows Ease of Access settings for readability.
• Voice input: enable speech-to-text for hands-free logging (ensure microphone permission is granted).
• Haptic or sound alerts: configure clear, unambiguous alerts for high BAC thresholds or session timers.

7. Notifications and safety thresholds

• Set custom BAC thresholds for warnings (for example: 0.03, 0.08, 0.15). Use conservative thresholds if safety is a priority.
• Enable persistent reminders to hydrate and check-in with a sober friend.
• Configure urgent alerts to require a confirmation action (to avoid accidental dismissal).

8. Privacy and data handling

• Local-only mode: if available, enable storing all data locally rather than syncing to cloud services.
• Export options: periodically export session logs if you need records — but remove personally identifying details before sharing.
• Auto-delete: enable automatic deletion of session history after a set period (⁄₉₀ days) if you prefer not to keep long-term records.

9. Troubleshooting common issues

• Inaccurate BAC estimates
  • Verify user profile details (weight, sex, typical ABV).
  • Re-check drink sizes and timings.
  • If using a breathalyzer, recalibrate the device and replace batteries if readings are erratic.
• Camera or sensor failures
  • Update camera drivers in Device Manager and grant camera permission in Windows Settings → Privacy → Camera.
  • Reboot the device and relaunch the app. For motion sensors on convertible laptops/tablets, ensure orientation sensors are enabled in Windows.
• App crashes or lag
  • Clear the app cache (if the app exposes this option), update to the latest app version, and ensure Windows is up to date. On Windows 8.1, consider upgrading to Windows 10 if performance issues persist.

10. Recommended settings checklist (quick)

• OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) preferred.
• Permissions: Camera and Microphone only if used.
• Profile: accurate weight, sex, unit preferences.
• Drink logging: use exact ABV and volume.
• Sensors: calibrate camera/motion sensors; firmware up-to-date for external devices.
• Privacy: enable local-only mode and auto-delete history if desired.
• Alerts: conservative BAC thresholds and persistent confirmations for urgent actions.

11. Final notes on responsibility

The app can help gauge impairment, but it cannot replace professional breathalyzers, medical devices, or legal testing. Use conservative limits, plan safe transport in advance, and never rely solely on app estimates for decisions about driving or operating heavy machinery.