Simple Desktop Clock for Mint {SOLVED use Conky}

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rogerskibicki

Simple Desktop Clock for Mint {SOLVED use Conky}

Post by rogerskibicki »

I am needing a Desktop Clock for Mint 13 "Maya" - Cinnamon (64-bit)

The clock in the task bar is a little small but i like the bar nice and small as it is.
I dont need to constantly know what HDD & CPU are doing.
I also dont need to constantly know what the weather is like, i have a RL window for that.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple but nice clock, please.
Pref Digital, maybe if it would have other time zones available or is easily changed to do so.(this is not critical)

I am also unsure about loading Widgets, i cant see any way to load them.

Cheers
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
d00med

Re: Simple Desktop Clock for Mint13 Cin

Post by d00med »

You can try conky

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install conky-all
Copy / paste the below code into text editor and save as ~/.conkyrc

Code: Select all

background yes
use_xft yes
xftfont cure:size=6
xftalpha 1
update_interval 1.0
total_run_times 0
own_window yes
own_window_transparent yes
#own_window_type normal
own_window_hints undecorated,sticky,below,skip_taskbar,skip_pager
double_buffer yes
minimum_size 170 170
maximum_width 150
draw_shades yes
draw_outline no
draw_borders no
draw_graph_borders yes
stippled_borders yes
default_color 5C754B
default_shade_color 131313
default_outline_color 5C754B
alignment top_left
gap_x 1745
gap_y 130
no_buffers yes
uppercase no
cpu_avg_samples 2
override_utf8_locale no

TEXT
${font sans:size=44}${color 98C27C}${time %I:%M}${font}
${font sans:size=14}${time %a %d %b %Y}${font}$color
hit alt+F2 and enter conky

You can run conky at startup by adding conky to Startup Applications (Name: conky / Command: conky)
rogerskibicki

Re: Simple Desktop Clock for Mint13 Cin

Post by rogerskibicki »

I tried this but i think i am missing a step.
Here is a screenshot of my result,, telling me everything except the time.
I would like it right justified and transparent.

At least its running.
Running at Start up tooo

Image
Last edited by rogerskibicki on Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
rogerskibicki

Re: Simple Desktop Clock for Mint13 Cin

Post by rogerskibicki »

d00med wrote:...
Copy / paste the below code into text editor and save as ~/.conkyrc
...
Step found. Works now thnx d00med.

EDIT:
Slight change in 'conkyrc' mainly as 'maximum_width 150' was too skinny
updated code

Code: Select all

background yes
use_xft yes
xftfont cure:size=6
xftalpha 1
update_interval 10.0
total_run_times 0
own_window yes
own_window_transparent yes
#own_window_type normal
own_window_hints undecorated,sticky,below,skip_taskbar,skip_pager
double_buffer yes
minimum_size 180
maximum_width 210
draw_shades yes
draw_outline no
draw_borders no
draw_graph_borders yes
stippled_borders yes
default_color 5C754B
default_shade_color 131313
default_outline_color 5C754B
alignment top_right
gap_x 20
gap_y 10
no_buffers yes
uppercase no
cpu_avg_samples 2
override_utf8_locale no
#
TEXT
${font sans:size=30}${color 98C27C}${time %I:%M %p}${font}
${font sans:size=16}${time %a %d %b %Y}${font}$color
Orbmiser

Re: Simple Desktop Clock for Mint13 Cin

Post by Orbmiser »

Yep use Conky here for that kind of thing.
Conky.png
.conkyrc file used.

Code: Select all

alignment top_middle
background no
border_margin 5
border_width 5
default_color b7b7b7
double_buffer yes
draw_borders no
draw_outline no
draw_shades no
gap_x 2000
gap_y 0
maximum_width 1800
minimum_size 275
no_buffers yes
override_utf8_locale yes
own_window yes
own_window_title conky
own_window_hints undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager
own_window_transparent yes
own_window_type normal 	## normal /override /desktop
own_window_argb_visual yes	# true transparency, a compositor has to be active
own_window_argb_value 0	# make the background semi-transparent
own_window_type normal 	## normal /override /desktop
text_buffer_size 8000
total_run_times 0
update_interval 1
uppercase no
use_xft yes
xftalpha 1
xftfont Freesans:pixelsize=9

alignment top_left
#alignment top_right
gap_x 1740
gap_y 20

TEXT
${font Antipasto:pixelsize=28}${alignc}${time %A %I:%M:%S %P }${font}

${font Antipasto:pixelsize=46}${alignc}${time %B %d, %Y}${font}

${font Antipasto:pixelsize=11}${alignc} RAM: ${mem} | Wifi Up: ${upspeed wlan0} Wifi Dwn: ${downspeed wlan0} |  CPU1: ${cpu cpu0}% CPU2: ${cpu cpu1}%
But will have to adjust the parameters to fit and align for your screen setup particularly.
As mine is a dual lcd's 1680x1050 with conky opening up on 2nd screen.

Code: Select all

alignment top_left
#alignment top_right
gap_x 1740
gap_y 20
Other option is to install Screenlets it's in the software center and run one of those that have time,calendars,etc..
And run the ClearCalendar screenlet for a calendar on Mint 14 Cinnamon but they also have clock screenlets.
.
rogerskibicki

Re: Simple Desktop Clock for Mint13 Cin

Post by rogerskibicki »

Thanks for the help

After reading up on Conky, I re-edited the supplied code and came up with this..
Transparent bg, top right corner and added little 24hr time.
I removed superfluous entries and it looks quite nice. (see screenshot)
Not bad at my first go.

Now, i just need a gui tool to change font color if it gets lost in the background. yeaaa

Code: Select all

#System
no_buffers yes
double_buffer yes
override_utf8_locale no
update_interval 10.0
total_run_times 0
#
#Bgnd&Window&Border
background yes
own_window yes #select yes if using 'double_buffer yes'
own_window_transparent yes
own_window_type desktop
own_window_hints undecorated,sticky,below,skip_taskbar,skip_pager
draw_shades yes
draw_outline no
draw_borders no
draw_graph_borders yes
stippled_borders yes
#
#Alignment
alignment top_right
minimum_size 180
maximum_width 210
gap_x 20
gap_y 10
#
#Default_Color_Scheme
default_color 6666FF
default_shade_color F5F5F5
default_outline_color 333333
#
#Default_Fonts
uppercase no
use_xft yes
xftfont sans:size=6
xftalpha 1
#
TEXT
${font sans:size=9}${time %H}${font}${font sans:size=28}${time %I:%M %p}${font}
${font sans:size=18}${time %a %d %b %Y}${font}
Screenshot 2013-03-12.png
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