Performance Modules are a collection of simple and straight-forward control strip modules for use with Apple’s Control Strip software.
WHAT’S NEW?
Several improvements have been made in this release:
The Simple Clock module now better supports alternate date & time formats (as set up by the Date & Time control panel) by adjusting its width to accomodate the widest possible date or time message. After changing the date & time format, the module’s width will automatically be adjusted the next time it is redrawn.
The FreeMem module also more intelligent about resizing, by leaving room to display the maximum amount of memory available. This is important because the Largest Unused Block is now displayed when the Finder is the front process; clicking the module at this time will display the Total Memory (either physical or virtual). Comma seperators have also been added to memory sizes greater than 999K. I found this to be more useful than memory information about the Finder, and it has almost completely eliminated my need to use the “About This Macintosh” window.
Many thanks go out to Michael Hecht for helping me get as close as I have to displaying the same Largest Unused Block size that is displayed by the Finder. Check out his “About” freeware utility—it’s really cool!
BACKGROUND
At the time I decided to write these modules, there was not a great abundance of shareware control strip modules available. There are many reasons for this including
• It’s a new technology.
• The Control Strip software, as released by Apple, only works on PowerBooks.
• Complete documentation for their development is scarce.
Therefore, I started my own collection of modules to support my personal needs and tastes. The modules I have written have been fully tested, and are “bare-bones” simple. This means that what you see is all there is, and there are not an endless number of preferences to make them larger and more complex. They make every attempt to use as little background time as possible, including keeping from updating their displays more often than necessary. They use small fonts to conserve space in the control strip, and do not change their size, disturbing the position of other modules.
SIMPLE CLOCK
This module displays the current time in minutes and seconds. Clicking on the module temporarily displays the current date. The time and date displayed is based on current settings in the “Date & Time” control panel. Seconds are not displayed—most people have better things to do than watch the seconds tick by one at a time.
FREEMEM
This module displays how much memory remains in the partition of the active process. Clicking on the module temporarily displays the total partition size of the active process. This is a much better alternative to keeping the “About this Macintosh” window open in the background. By observing how the amount of available memory changes in various applications as you use them, you will be more aware of their actual memory requirements, and have a better idea of how much to safely adjust their partition size when required.
POWER TOOL DISCLAIMER
These modules are not “Power Tools” and should not be regarded as such. If you're looking for extensive customization abilities, there are an increasing number of similar modules that should suit your lust for power. Performance Modules are small, simple, and FREE. If you like them, by all means use them.
FORMALITIES
Performance Modules are FREE and may be distributed to anyone by any means as long they remain unaltered, are accompanied by this file, and are not sold for profit. Send bugs, questions, and comments to me at:
