Klogshow is a free program that displays the contents of text files in semitransparent windows on the desktop, and keeps any changes updated in real time. It can have many applications, such as displaying information that you might want to have readily accessible for reference, displaying to-do or task lists, or displaying log files or any other information that you might want to keep on-screen.
This program provides an interesting way of looking at information, displayed within semitransparent windows that look like they are embedded within the desktop wallpaper. Note, however, that the windows are not part of the active desktop but in fact are semitransparent floating windows. More information as follows:
- Customization: you can optionally have a title bar or scroll bar for your windows. You can also customize the font color, two background colors that constitue a gradient, as well as the level of transparency.
- Interaction: you can move these windows about (whether or not they have a titlebar), scroll up or down using either the scrollbar or up/down arrows, or select and copy text. You cannot edit and/or add text though.
- Multiple windows: one nice thing about Klogshow is that you can have a number of windows on the desktop simultaneously.
- How to use: right click the tray icon, go to the "files" tab, browse to the desired file(s), then add the file(s) to the list. Next, right click the tray icon, go to log select, and check the files you want to be displayed on the desktop.
- Memory usage: about 18 megs, which is not quite lightweight but not too large either.
Wish list (or how this program can be even better):
- The ability to set a transparent background: strangely, while you can create a two-color gradient for your background, it does not seem to allow for a simple transparent (non) background.
- Hiding the program entries in the taskbar: for each text window that you display the program will have an associated taskbar entry. Which is kind of strange. Although the program allows you to hide it altogether (text windows and taskbar entries both), it would be better if you could hide the taskbar entries without hiding the text windows themselves.
- Always on top, or always on bottom: for each individual window, would be great.
- The ability to render a window non-interactive; i.e., to affix it to a spot without being resizable or movable.
The verdict: depending on the circumstances (and how creative your are), this could be a really useful program, although it can be much better (see wish list above). Note that there are other programs that provide a similar function, such as multi function system monitoring and desktop enhancement tool Samurize.
Version Tested: 1.0.4
Compatibility: Windows, Linux.
Go to the program home page to download the latest version (approx 5.6 megs).
Very interesting, I’ve been looking for such tool for ages.
Thanks for the link.
Terrible program. Would not recommend it at all. That screen shot is misleading. If you look closely, you’ll see the black rectangular background. In other words, there is no transparency in this program. You’ll always have a color background for the text to show up in.
When they meant transparency, they meant that both text and background becomes transparent. So if you set the transparency to 0% the text and the background hidden. Pointless isn’t it when you actually want the text to appear without the background color.
Also, they launch a bunch of windows onto your taskbar depending on how many of those text you want opened.
@ John Doe: if you had read the wish list you would have seen all the points you made listed there. The program indeed could be much better if they made small adjustments, but as it is I am using it to good effect (and yes it helps that the lower left corner of my wallpaper is dark).
Oh you’re right… I guess we both agree this program isn’t that great, and it needs work. Anyway, keep up the good work.
I use Samurize to do this. Maybe not as straightforward on how to do it, but it’s a lot more versatile.
Memory footprint depends how many elements you use, mine is at ~9 MB, displays a text file as well as a large clock and CPU/RAM/Hard drive usage.
Has a lot of features I don’t use, but others may get a kick out of. GIS to see what it can do.
I didn’t know this Samurize tool either and have taken a look into it too. But like you say, it indeed has a bunch of features that won’t get used, well, at least not be me.
I’d be interested in trying this but the website as given has a minimal interface that gives no clue as to where to download it.
saya ingin nama dan nomor telp saya bisa dipasang di desktop bukan di wallpapper…asya cari di blok2 ga ketemu…padahal saya pernah melihat.. nama perusahaan bisa ditampilkan di dektop…walaupun wallpapper diganti dengan gambar lain….tulisan itu tidak akan berubah…..