def action_timeout=(t)
      t = t.to_f
      raise ArgumentError.new('Value must be great than zero or nil') unless t > 0
      @action_timeout = t
      t
    end
def action_timeout=(t)
      t = t.to_f
      raise ArgumentError.new('Value must be great than zero or nil') unless t > 0
      @action_timeout = t
      t
    end
t:: seconds to work on a task (floats allow for values 0 < t < 1)
 Set the maximum amount of time to work on a given task
 Note: Modification of this will not affect actions already in process