PowerStrip is a "passive" utility. That means it changes nothing on the system, it only reports the current state of affairs. PowerStrip can display, at your discretion, the following information:
√ current time
√ current date
√ free RAM
√ free disk space
√ whether AppleTalk is on or off
√ the currently selected printer
√ mouse coordinates
and for PowerBook users:
√ CPU speed
√ whether modem is on or off
√ elapsed charging time or elapsed battery time
√ battery voltage
√ battery level bar graph
√ battery voltage history graph
• How to Use it •
Just run it! The first time you run it, PowerStrip will display a set of default data windows (and the "About..." box). You can configure PowerStrip to hide these, or move them to the bottom, or whatever. Play around. You'll get the hang of it.
To configure the look of a window, option-click on that window. That will bring up a dialog box that will let you change the color of the text and background, or display the window across the bottom of the screen, or -- if you've option-clicked on the battery gauge window -- you can set the battery full and battery low parameters that the bar graph will use.
You can also use the menu command "Configure Window..." under the "Configure" menu to select which window to change.
To hide a window, simply re-select it from the menu. The menu commands work like a toggle to hide and show windows. It's important to note that the next time that window appears, it will be on the far right and at the top of the screen.
It's entirely possible to set up the windows in any sequence you like. Simply hide them all, and then choose all the windows you want displayed in the sequence you want them displayed.
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IMPORTANT
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It's important to note here that if things get hopelessly confused -- ugly colors, windows not showing up where you want them, etc. -- just trash the file "PowerStrip3.3Prefs" in the "Preferences Folder" in the "System Folder" AFTER you've quit PowerStrip. This assures PowerStrip will use it's factory default values the next time it runs.
• If you like it •
If you find PowerStrip useful, and you feel so grateful that you insist on paying for it, that's fine. Under the "File" menu you'll see an option that says "Print Registration Form..." This option brings up a dialog box where you can enter some info about yourself (name, address, e-mail address, comments, etc). PowerStrip will then print a sheet of paper that you'll fold into thirds, insert some money or a check, tape closed, lick a stamp onto, and mail off to me.
Any revenue from PowerStrip will be put into my twins' college fund, so send as much as you can! If you can't send money, I understand. :( But please send a postcard of where you live, or an autographed copy of a book you've written, or an autographed 8x10 publicity photo if you're a celebrity.
If you work at the Cape or a related site (JPL, Edwards, etc.) I definitely want to hear from you. Write to any of the addresses listed in the "About..." box.
• Some notes about version v3.3.1 •
• speeded up the start-up initialization process
• fixed the problem that occurred when trying to change colors
• Some notes about version v3.3 •
• battery history graph now spans sessions, with a new menu option to erase the current graph and start fresh.
• added a progress bar that displays during start-up and quit.
• abolition of those pesky embarrassing bugs that wouldn't let you properly calibrate the battery voltage levels (introduced in v3.2)
• fixed the bugs with the "Help" and "About" windows.
• finally fixed the problem with the "Reverse Colors on All" command. If you don't know what it is, don't ask and don't worry. Just know that now when using this command, all subsequent windows do look like what they're expected to look like.
• shortened the text in some windows so they don't get truncated when many windows are displayed. (Don't worry -- these'll be in "STR" resources soon...Just don't send the MacDevCops after me for hardcoding it, all right?)
• fixed that window double-blink when adding and deleting windows
• fixed the problem where the elapsed time would start to count down in negative values
• Some notes about version 3.2 •
• smaller file size (80k, down from 170k).
• lower memory requirements (170k, down from 256k).
• better handling of temp memory.
• able to toggle external battery awareness (some of us have 'em, some don't).
• better handling of text in the comment box on the registration form.
