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    Rainmeter vs. Sidebar

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Fewmets, May 10, 2008.

  1. Fewmets

    Fewmets Notebook Consultant

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    How is Rainmeter's RAM consumption, etc. ocmapred w/ Sidebar?

    Also, do alot of those sweet looks that I see in the "show off your desktop" thread come standard, or do oyu ahve to download skins - are the calendar/PC stats/etc. all part of one program, or are they different programs ("Rainlender", etc.)
     
    Fewmets, May 10, 2008
    #1
  2. knightingmagic

    knightingmagic Notebook Deity

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    I choose neither. Both are eye-candy that suck up resources and can only be used when all of your windows are hidden.
     
    knightingmagic, May 10, 2008
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  3. Mysteree

    Mysteree Notebook Enthusiast

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    rainmeter has skins available for download. some skins include a calendar.

    as for ram consumption, i do not noe since i disabled the sidebar
     
    Mysteree, May 10, 2008
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  4. Sac9700

    Sac9700 Notebook Consultant

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    My sidebar is currently taking up a mere 13,924KB of RAM, and i have 8 gadgets running. I also have it set to always be on top, so it's always visible.

    I have never tried Rainmeter.
     
    Sac9700, May 10, 2008
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  5. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    rainmeter>sidebar as far as eyecandy and i believe resources.
     
    McGrady, May 10, 2008
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  6. roytse

    roytse Notebook Evangelist

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    my rainmeter consumes about 5,000kb of ram, way less than vista sidebar or yahoo widgets. ;)
     
    roytse, May 10, 2008
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  7. blackmamba

    blackmamba Notebook Evangelist

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    In terms of customizability, avedesk>rainmeter>yahoo widgets>sidebar
     
    blackmamba, May 10, 2008
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  8. darthsat

    darthsat Notebook Deity

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    I really prefer Rainmeter. It is incredibly customizable, and consumes a mere 4112 KB of memory during usage, compared to sidebar's 11,000-13,000 KB.
     
    darthsat, May 10, 2008
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  9. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Vistas sidebar is a resource hog. Mines at 30,000+kb. I actually use the vista sidebar though for daily purposes
     
    flipfire, May 11, 2008
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  10. Fewmets

    Fewmets Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm...

    Well, yeah i use sidebar mainly for system stats and calendar...

    Maybe I'll give rainmeter a shot.

    Anyone know any cool skins for it?
     
    Fewmets, May 11, 2008
    #10
  11. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Rainmeter has LOT more features ...and is customizable to a large extent.
    And its also very addictive.

    But the ease-of-use is in Sidebar...very GUI friendly & easy to install.

    Hence if u r an advanced user then Rainmeter is like Firefox...whereas Sidebar is more like IE7
     
    Nocturnal310, May 11, 2008
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  12. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    check out www.customize.org
     
    McGrady, May 11, 2008
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  13. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    ive got about 10 rainmeter gadgets (is that what they are called?) open and it only uses 3010KB of ram
     
    timtravel42, May 11, 2008
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  14. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    is there an alarm clock or shutdown timer gadget for rain meter?
     
    flipfire, May 11, 2008
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  15. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    i dont believe so
    thats not what rainmeter does
     
    McGrady, May 11, 2008
    #15