I have WR set to start up on my XP machine (just by a shortcut in the start up 
folder). If I set the mode of WR to Quiet and then exit/shutdown, when i 
restart WR, it starts again in normal mode.
Is there a switch I've missed to use in the shortcut, or is remembering the 
mode just not an option?

Indeed, the mode is currently not remembered. 

Do we want to remember the mode?

Tough call. There are good arguments either way.

Against remembering mode: When I start wr, I want it to be in normal mode,
because I want to be warned in time for my breaks, regardles of what mode I used
to be in.  Besides. The only marginally useful mode to remember is "quiet". If
the mode to be remembered is "suspended", then you shouldn't be starting wr at all.

In favour of remembering mode: I want to always start in mode "quiet". I'm only
interested in recording my behaviour. I do not want to be forced to break.

Disclaimer: These are not my opinions. I'm not sure whose they are, but they are
not mine :-)

Compromise between the two: New configuration option: Mode that wr should start
up in. Would that work for you, Sam?

Oh no, that compromise is really bad: adding configuration options just because
you want to avoid making choices. You should really read
http://www106.pair.com/rhp/free-software-ui.html some time, especially the
section on preferences.

IMHO, the mode should be remembered. 

IMHO remembering the mode is a bad idea. Some while ago, I put workrave on
suspended and went home without turning my computer off. Next day, I suddenly
wondered why my arms hurt: I had been working for about 2 hours with workrave
still on suspended.

So, how about resetting to "normal" when the daily limit is reset ? :-)

btw, we also have a hide mainwindow at startup.

Umm, the fact that other stuff is configurable is not really a good reason to
introduce more configurable items, given the fact that people are already
'complaining' about too much configurability.

And, hide main window at startup was going to be removed anyway.

Apart from that, I don't have any strong feelings about the remembering of the
mode, as long as it does not introduce YACO (yet another configuration option).

I tend to be slightly in favour of not remembering the mode, since that will
maximize the number of break windows the user will see.

What will happen to "hide main window at startup"??

Another configuration option would be ok, maybe a little check box which 
simply said 'remember current mode on startup' or something..

It only really causes a problem because it is a home PC and I often let other 
people use it to use the internet/check email/write reports etc. I am often 
forced to close WR down because some people don't appreciate it [!].. I then 
forget to open it up again, hence the same problems.. (though I guess I could 
equally just forget to take it off quiet).

I could also see how having it running quietly in the background (ie no 
warnings and no main window) could work for some people for stats. collection, 
whether to tune WRs settings to their patterns of use or purely out of 
interest to see how (much) they use their computer.

Just my opinion though.. also, how frowned upon is having an 'Advanced' config 
mode/screen for those users who want all these stupid little 'extras' and 
a 'Basic' for the regular settings.

Okay, given that we lean towards being in favour of not remembering the mode,
and given the fact that I am really against introducing YACO, this is a WONTFIX.