README for TkGoodStuff version 8.0-final, 1 Oct, 1997 TkGoodStuff for the X Window System is an alarm clock, biff, file watcher, modem dialer/network status indicator, note-taker, web-browser launch tool, system load monitor, application/utility menu, Win95-like task bar, and whatever else you want. TkGoodStuff produces a button bar. It is easily configured and modified with the on-line GUI preferences manager (*no* rc-file hacking). There is a "screen-edge" mode, in which the bar occupies an edge of the screen, can be dragged to other edges, and can auto-minimize (shrink to a line at the screen-edge). For users of the fvwm window manager (though tkgoodstuff works without fvwm), tkgoodstuff serves all the functions of the Windows95 taskbar, and then some. You can configure buttons to launch applications (with lots of configurable options), you can "swallow" any application's window into your tkgoodstuff panel, and several "clients" are included (you can also write your own with a tcl/tk script---an example is provided): -- analog/digital alarm clock -- biff (check/scan/read new mail; handles multiple folders and alert levels, MH folders, IMAP mailboxes) -- PPP (or SLIP or TERM) net link GUI dialer and status indicator (with sophisticated redialing and login scripting). -- FVWM support, including Win95-like bar of buttons for open and iconified windows, as well as a pager. -- launcher for WWW browsers (lets you visit the URL in the current X selection with one click) -- note-taker (tool for quickly jotting down and organizing scraps of information) -- calendar/alarm support (for Ical-generated calendar files) -- system load monitor (graphical and/or digital display) -- Menu button, for launching applications and running utilities (the menu is GUI-configured). -- "webster" net dictionary client -- calculator with scrollable history and hex/dec/oct modes (perpetually alpha, until someone adopts it as a project!) -- POP/IMAP mail fetch scheduler. -- file watcher: look for changes in (multiple) log files -- launcher for tkman (operates with X selection like WWW client) Documentation including screen-shots is available on the WWW, at: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~markcrim/tkgoodstuff The html documentation also is included in the distribution. Source is available at the web site. ! ! ********* Requires tcl/tk8.0. ********** ! ! INSTALLATION: please read the html documentation. If you know what you are doing and just hate reading, you can try the "./configure" and "make" and "make install" thing. It might work. --- With this release I've stopped working on tkgoodstuff. Anyone who would like to take over is most welcome. markcrim@umich.edu