Rainmeter
Rainmeter is a free and open-source desktop customization utility for Windows, released under the GNU GPL v2 license. It allows users to create and display user-generated customizable desktop widgets or applets called "skins" that display information.[2][3] Ready to use collections of skins can be downloaded and installed in packages known as "suites".[4]
Rainmeter icon | |
Rainmeter 4.1 settings panel | |
Initial release | February 22, 2001 |
---|---|
Stable release | 4.3.1 - r3321
/ September 22, 2019 |
Preview release | 4.4 - r3350
/ May 13, 2020 |
Repository | github |
Written in | C++; C++ and C# used for addons |
Operating system | Windows 7 SP1 and later[1] |
Platform | IA-32 and x64 |
Available in | 32 languages |
License | GNU GPL v2 |
Website | www |
Common functionalities of Rainmeter skins include desktop clocks, RSS readers, system monitors, weather widgets, application launchers, and audio players.[5][6]
Development
The Rainmeter project was originally founded by Kimmo 'Rainy' Pekkola, the developer of Rainlendar, in 2001.[7]
Usage
Rainmeter skins are written in Rainmeter code using a text editor and stored as INI configuration files.[8] System resource values and other information such as weather or time are stored through "meter" values within a skin, which can then be customized.[3]
Reception
CNET gave Rainmeter a 4 out of 5 star rating. It praised the software's flexibility, wide variety of themes and "enthusiastic community", while noting the program "isn't as intuitive as it could be."[9]
Softpedia gave Rainmeter a 4 out of 5 star rating, citing its comprehensive tutorials and low system resource usage, while criticizing its lack of cross-platform support.[10]
References
- "Setting Up - Rainmeter Docs". Rainmeter. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- Patrizio, Andy. "Why you need Rainmeter even in a business setting". Computerworld. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- "Rainmeter 3.1 review: Customize your desktop with". PCWorld. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- Ravenscraft, Eric (2017-01-04). "How to Create an Attractive, Customized Desktop HUD with Rainmeter". Lifehacker. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- Lavish, T (2017-05-25). "Rainmeter lets you customize your Windows desktop with widgets & skins". The Windows Club. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- "Create your own Windows themes with Rainmeter 4.0". TechRadar. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- "Rainmeter: An Open Community". DeviantArt. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- "Creating Skins - Rainmeter Docs". Rainmeter. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- "Rainmeter". Download.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- Opris, Elena (2014-01-30). "Rainmeter 3 Review". Softpedia. Retrieved 2018-02-23.