Write on Windows Desktop

[ghacks]

Well I'm not sure if this is possible at all because I never heard of an application that would allow it. I'm thinking of a way to write text directly to the Windows desktop / wallpaper without opening another application to take the notes. Would this be possible at all ?

[mouser]

Hi Martin,

do you want to be able to paint and draw lines and stuff? or just put blocks of typing text in certain places?
you don't want to use a sticky notes program?

[Perry Mowbray]

What about http://www.desktop-messager.pro.tm/ 

Edit: found this one too: http://greetsoft.com...esktop-notepad.phtml

Note: I've used neither of them!

[jgpaiva]

Probably, the following post here on DC is VERY relevant
Is there a way to directly write notes onto the Windows desktop?

[Perry Mowbray]

Probably, the following post here on DC is VERY relevant
Is there a way to directly write notes onto the Windows desktop?

-jgpaiva (January 07, 2008, 06:05 AM)

Now I gotta ask, why was that page so far down on Google? 

[ghacks]

Mouser I would like to write directly to my desktop without having to open another software first. Desktop Messenger is more of a drawing fun program and not what I have in mind. I just want to be able to jot down short notes quickly right on my desktop. I'm currently using notepad files to do that which gets kinda messy after a while. Desktop Notepad the other program mentioned here is a) commercial and b)like all those Sticky Notes programs out there.

The other thread mentioned did not deliver a desired result as well. Ideally I would just click on a free space of my desktop and would be able to type in text that would be permanent until I would delete it.

[PhilB66]

QuickDeskNote (Scroll down the page).

"Installing QuickDeskNote (4 KB) will allow you to create quick notes on your Desktop or in any folder - in the same way as you create a new file"



To change the icon go to HKLM_Classes_QuickDeskNote_DefaultIcon rightclick on (Default) string and select modify. Replace the path to the existing icon with the one of your choice.



QuickPad (listed on top) might also serve your needs.

[PhilB66]

You may also want to check out Serenity's ToDo.

"ToDo is a simple todo list-on-desktop app without the bloat, perfect for those who wish to keep things simple."

[CleverCat]

DesktopX from Stardock allows you to write on Desktop....

[Kraqule]

One of my next projects to be done is a basic overlay for other applications that will allow me to highlight areas for people to monitor (I am a training specialist within the IT industry. I train largely unskilled workers to monitor and operate specific computing functions.) I may have to teach myself Visual C# to achieve this goal so any input on this thread is welcomed. I have installed and uninstalled numerous applications trying to achieve a similar goal and none have what I need.

Features that I will need.

1. Sticky Notes - A short desctriptive movable note with the ability to scroll over and have a more elaborate message provided.
2. Hightlighter - Where I can on an overlay Highlight specific passages for instructional purposes.
3. Red Ovals - People are drawn to circling of errors or highlights. So to Circle Specific things on a screen are very handy. (Ovals are oulines of course 2-5 pixels in thickness and are scaleable to circle different sized things.
3. Blue Boxes - Outlined boxes similar to the ovals for highlighting passages in paragraphs or controls.

Thats it for me ...

[skrommel]

  Until someone comes up with a better solution.

SubNote is a very simple notepad attached to the desktop.
It autosaves to SubNote.ini every 10 secs, and remembers it's onscreen position.

Skrommel

[Select]

;SubNote.ahk
; Very simple notepad attached to the desktop.
; Autosaves every 10 secs, remembers window position.
;Skrommel @ 2008

#SingleInstance,Ignore
#NoEnv
SetWinDelay,0

applicationname=SubNote

lf:=Chr(10)

IniRead,tab,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,tab
If tab=ERROR
{
  tab=4
  IniWrite,%tab%,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,tab
}

Gui,+Resize +Border +ToolWindow
Gui,Margin,0,0
Gui,Add,Edit,Vedit R15 T%tab% WantTab
Gui,Show,,%applicationname%
Gui,+LastFound
guiid:=WinExist()
WinGet,progmanid,ID,Program Manager ahk_class Progman
DllCall("SetParent","uint",guiid,"uint",progmanid)

IniRead,x,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,x
IniRead,y,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,y
IniRead,w,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,w
IniRead,h,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,h
If (x="ERROR" Or y="ERROR" Or w="ERROR" Or h="ERROR")
  WinGetPos,x,y,w,h,ahk_id %guiid%

menu:=DllCall("user32\GetSystemMenu","UInt",guiid,"UInt",0)
DllCall("user32\DeleteMenu","UInt",menu,"UInt",0xF060,"UInt",0x0)
WinMove,ahk_id %guiid%,,% x,% y,% w,% h-1
WinMove,ahk_id %guiid%,,% x,% y,% w,% h+1

IniRead,text,%applicationname%.ini,Text,Text
If text=ERROR
  text=
(
`n`t`t%applicationname%`n`t`t`t`tby`n1HourSoftware.com`n
%applicationname% is a very simple notepad attached to the desktop.
`tIt autosaves to %applicationname%.ini every 10 secs, and remembers it's onscreen position.
)
StringReplace,text,text,<<LF>>,%lf%,All
GuiControl,,edit,%text%

Menu,Tray,NoStandard
Menu,Tray,DeleteAll
Menu,Tray,Add,%applicationname%,NOTHING
Menu,Tray,Add,E&xit,EXIT
Menu,Tray,Default,%applicationname%
Menu,Tray,Tip,%applicationname%

SetTimer,SAVE,10000
OnExit,EXIT
Return


NOTHING:
Return


SAVE:
oldtext:=text
GuiControlGet,text,,edit
If (text<>oldtext)
{
  save:=text
  StringReplace,save,save,%lf%,,All
  IniWrite,%save%,%applicationname%.ini,Text,Text
}
Else
  text:=oldtext
Return


EXIT:
SetTimer,SAVE,Off
GuiControlGet,save,,edit
StringReplace,save,save,%lf%,<<LF>>,All
IniWrite,%save%,%applicationname%.ini,Text,Text
WinGetPos,x,y,w,h,ahk_id %guiid%
IniWrite,%x%,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,x
IniWrite,%y%,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,y
IniWrite,%w%,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,w
IniWrite,%h%,%applicationname%.ini,Settings,h
ExitApp


GuiSize:
If ErrorLevel = 1  ;minimized
  Return
GuiControl,Move,edit,W%A_GuiWidth% H%A_GuiHeight%
Return

[CleverCat]

Shirus Pad is the best Desktop Note/Alarm I've ever had - still beta but never crashes or lets you down!

http://www.shirusupad.tk/