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Customizable Computer Monitoring Software

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sgtevmckay:
Hello Folks

With the advent of so many of these types of software, and the abandonment of several as well, also with the apparent re-interest in Rainmeter. I have opted to start this poll to find out where you folks stand in regards to these types of software.
If you use one or more, then great, how about listing a why and how it works for your, as well as the customization package(s) you use.
if you use one that I have not listed tell us about it.

I am a supporter of Rainmeter, but I am open to suggestions.

Tell us your thoughts, ring in on this one, as I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

I use Rainmeter 0.14.1
Config packs:
HUD Vision
4JL
Dreamline
Enigma
Quicklook

I also use the Rainbar (which is also Rainmeter)

PhilB66:
I thought Samurize was the "way to go"... what happened in the interim?

sgtevmckay:
And it still is, for now

I got hit with one very important fact, make that 2.

With Samurize you are limited to one config at a time. What ever custom design you make will be limited to the board that is created. If this works for you, then great. I prefer Rainmeters ability to make and place multiple configs anywhere I want on my screen.

The second thing I found is that Rainmeter can use significantly less Processes than Samurize. Something about the new Samurize can take up 42% of the processor, when you utilize remote software controllers, under Rainmeter, I am using far less than 10% even with the Winamp controller, Which uses the most processes.

Now I will grant that Samurize is more stable, but it's current stability does not make up for the other facts in my opinion.
I want to say there is an issue with the last update(s). Samurize is becoming a bloated piece of software.

There is now also the fact that there is movement on Rainmeter. Understand as of the post that you reference, the production of Rainmeter was in question. I have had a chance to communicate with Rainy and the folks that have Volunteered to advance Rainmeter, and I think it will be going again, based on all this, I have changed my recommendations, and am hoping that Rainmeter will once again be on top.

Besides, I am looking for a program to kick Samusize in the shorts, just like I am hoping to one day find a free solution that will truly compete with ObjectDock+

Of Course this is all my opinion, but refer to image below (hopefully the shrinkage, did not mess with the quality of the image, very quick work):

PhilB66:
With Samurize you are limited to one config at a time. What ever custom design you make will be limited to the board that is created.
-sgtevmckay (March 15, 2009, 07:23 PM)
--- End quote ---

Wrong.

Something about the new Samurize can take up 42% of the processor, when you utilize remote software controllers.
-sgtevmckay (March 15, 2009, 07:23 PM)
--- End quote ---

Samurize requires a minimal amount of memory and cpu usage. First, get the bit about running multiple instances right, then you will notice how little processing power is used.

Samurize is becoming a bloated piece of software.
-sgtevmckay (March 15, 2009, 07:23 PM)
--- End quote ---

How do you define bloated software?

sgtevmckay:
Anything over 3.5% for this type of software, on this type of computer, I consider bloated. Now understand that I am running 2 instances of Rainmeter and using nominally less than 5%. The very act of Samurize is somewhere from 3.7% to 7.8% in idle. Samurize at one point would sometimes hit less than 1%, but I have seen no evidence of this as of yet, in current builds.

Now if you will refer to the attached image:
I have 22 "free floating" configs that I can place anywhere I want.
I have seen  no evidence of being able to do this with Samurize.

What I have seen of Samurize skins, is that they are over customized sidebars. All items must be attached to that customized area. The various meters can not be made independently of each other, and must be based to a single running Config.

Now I am not saying that what you have listed here is incorrect, I am saying that I have seen no instance of being able to do anything like what I have on my laptop using Rainmeter.

Understand each meter is it's own config in Rainmeter, and although you can build customized area and place several measurement tools in it, you can also make independent meters.

Now understand I did not allow my meter to go completely idle, so look again and you will find all the meters, the Rainbar, Winamp, and it's Rainmeter controller, as well as a bloated version of Firefox, that has over 60 plugins, and it is set to reload this page.
And I am using about 10%
Also keep in mind that this is a none stripped down HP G50 series laptop

Do the math, and you will find Rainmeters footprint much smaller.

If you can run multiple meters independently and place a custom build where you want, similar to the HUD Vision I have customized here, I would very much like to see it.

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