Making a Sticky Note Calendar with the xmessage Client

The xmessage client. by Chris Peterson and Stephen Gildea, is a handy way to create quick notes as reminders while you work. This deceptively simple client is easy to use. For example, if you want to make a quick note of a phone number, you can use

# xmessage "George called at 10:15; call him back at 555-1212" &

This command line will display the xmessage client window with the text of your message. Although this is a simple example, you can also use the xmessage client to display the output of program searches, or use it in your personal schedules to automatically send reminders while you work (see Hour 18, "Personal Productivity Tools," or Hour 24, "Scheduling," for details).

You can also use xmessage as a handy calendar display program if you need to keep a copy of the current calendar on the screen, or if you want a calendar on your desktop when you start your X session. You won't find a simple X11 version of the cal calendar program, but here's one you can use:

# cal | xmessage -file "-" &

This displays the output of the cal calendar program in a square xmessage client window.

Keeping Time with X11 Clocks

If you're a habitual clock watcher, you're in luck using X11, as you'll find several clocks. You're sure to find one you like.

The rclock client is more than just a clock; it's an appointment calendar and mail notification program. You can run this client with a few simple options, for example:

# rclock -bg red -fg yellow -update 1 -geometry 80x80+718+0 &

This command line puts a square red clock with yellow hands (a second hand is created with the -update 1 option) in the upper right corner of an 800x600 desktop. If you created file called rclock in your home directory, you can create automatic reminders, as the rclock client will not only pop up a reminder message at the appinted time, but can laso be used to run programs at certain times (it checks the file every 10 minutes; when you have mail arrive, rclock reverses its display). Read the rclock manual page for more details on how to use its appointment and mail notifcation functions.

The xclock client displays time,by default, in a standard clock face, but you can make xclock look like a digital clock with the -digital option. You can also control the color of the standard clock hands or add a chime for the hour and half hour,for example:

# xclock -chime -hd red -hl red update 2 -geometry 80x80 -bg yellow

This command displays an 80x80 pixel chiming xclock with a yellow face, red hands, and a sweeping second hand.If you want a digital version, you can use

# xclock -chime -update 1 -digital -bg yellow

This command displays chiming clock with a yellow background .If you like digital clocks, you might also like the xdaliclock client, which uses animation for its digits, and has many options to control the digits, coloring , shape or fonts used in the display, for example:

# xdaliclock-24 -cycle -shape -font 9x15 -geometry +697+3

This command display a floating, transparent digital clock with melting digits, which constantly change color. If you click the digital displays, the current day , month and year are displayed momentarily.