Mac GeekTool

[[)roi(]]

Download
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geektool/id456877552?mt=12

http://geektool3.tynsoe.org/documents/show/2
The main idea behind GeekTool is that I felt an empty desktop was a waste of space and that there was room here for informations I'd like to have quick access to.

With GeekTool, you can display on your desktop blocks of informations, called Geeklets.

Actually, there are 3 kinds of geeklet

1. File
2. Shell
3. Image

Each one displays different kind of informations, sharing the same principles :
Geeklets are ...
... displayed on the desktop, between finder icons and desktop picture (though, it can be set as "Keep on top"),
... contained in square frame on any screen, and will stick to that screen,
... visible on all spaces, you can thank apple to allow developers to hook on Spaces change,
... organized in groups, you can then choose to display or not each group,
... part of minimum one group named "Default Group",
... easy to export and share with friends.

Desktop examples
http://desktopspotting.com/31/5-examples-of-mac-os-desktop-customization-using-geektool/
http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/geektool

Scripts / Geeklets

1. http://www.macosxtips.co.uk/geeklets/

Here's a few examples I threw together:

Latest Zapiro

• Shell -

  curl --silent "http://mg.co.za/zapiro/" | grep "zapiro/fullcartoon/" | cut -d '"' -f 4 | xargs curl --silent -o /tmp/zapiro.gif

• Image - {link to file://localhost/tmp/zapiro.gif}

Daily Dilbert

• Shell -

  echo 'http://www.dilbert.com\c' > /tmp/dilbert.txt; curl --silent "http://www.dilbert.com/" | grep "Dilbert.com Comic Strip" | cut -d '"' -f 6 >> /tmp/dilbert.txt;cat /tmp/dilbert.txt | xargs curl --silent -o /tmp/dilbert.jpg

• Image - {link to file://localhost/tmp/dilbert.jpg}

Glasbergen

• Shell -

  curl --silent "http://www.glasbergen.com/" | grep "ngg-singlepic" | cut -d '"' -f 8 | xargs curl --silent -o /tmp/glasbergen.gif

• Image - {link to file://localhost/tmp/glasbergen.gif}

Daily Quotes

• Shell -

  curl -s [url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/brainyquote/QUOTEBR[/url] | grep -m 3 description | sed -e 's/(.*Quote of the Day from BrainyQuote.com)//p' | sed -e 's/(.*logo)//' | sed '1,2d' | sed -e 's/]*>//g' | cut -d '"' -f 2 | fold -s -w 30

International VPN Latency Ranking

• Shell -

  echo 'VPN Latency Ranking';echo '--------------------';for host in 'us1.ibvpn.com' 'us2.ibvpn.com' 'us3.ibvpn.com' 'us4.ibvpn.com' 'us5.ibvpn.com' 'us6.ibvpn.com' 'us7.ibvpn.com' 'us1.hideipvpn.com' 'us2.hideipvpn.com' 'us3.hideipvpn.com' 'us4.hideipvpn.com' 'us5.hideipvpn.com' 'us6.hideipvpn.com' 'us7.hideipvpn.com' 'us8.hideipvpn.com';do echo $host' \c'; ping -c 1 $host 2>/tmp/pingout.txt | grep "64 bytes from" | cut -d'=' -f 4;done | sort -k2 | column -t

The writing of the scripts can be quite a bit of fun; The shell plugin can run just about anything e.g. Shell script, Applescripts, Xcode apps, ... so there won't be any limit to the automation you can achieve.

The are also many examples on youtube on how to get this to work; GeekTool is pretty basic; the power will be in the script you develop or download.

 

[koffiejunkie]

The main idea behind GeekTool is that I felt an empty desktop was a waste of space and that there was room here for informations I'd like to have quick access to.

I have never seen the use for this. My desktop is filled with applications. The only time I actually see my desktop is when I just booted the Mac. Then, until the next reboot (update that requires reboot, usually), I never see it again.

 

[[)roi(]]

I have never seen the use for this. My desktop is filled with applications. The only time I actually see my desktop is when I just booted the Mac. Then, until the next reboot (update that requires reboot, usually), I never see it again.

Also have many apps open at the same time, but easily overcome by a simple multi-touch gesture.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Also have many apps open at the same time, but easily overcome by a simple multi-touch gesture.

And getting to dashboard takes one button press - what's the difference?

 

[[)roi(]]

And getting to dashboard takes one button press - what's the difference?

Some prefer coffee and some don't... Never going to be a one fit for all; don't imagine that was ever intended, and that doesn't mean it's a bad thing though...