Rainmeter

Rainmeter is a free and open-source desktop customization utility for Windows and MacOS, released under the GNU GPL v2 license. It allows users to create and display user-generated customizable desktop widgets or applets called "skins" that display information.[2][3] Ready to use collections of skins can be downloaded and installed in packages known as "suites".[4]

Rainmeter
Rainmeter icon
Rainmeter 4.1 settings panel
Initial releaseFebruary 22, 2001 (2001-02-22)
Stable release
4.3.1 - r3321 / September 22, 2019 (2019-09-22)
Preview release
4.4 - r3410 / November 14, 2020 (2020-11-14)
Repositorygithub.com/rainmeter/rainmeter
Written inC++;
C++ and C# used for addons
Operating systemWindows 7 SP1 and later[1]
PlatformIA-32 and x64
Available in32 languages
LicenseGNU GPL v2
Websitewww.rainmeter.net

Common functionalities of Rainmeter skins include desktop clocks, RSS readers, system monitors, weather widgets, application launchers, and audio players.[5][6]

Development

The Rainmeter project was originally founded by Kimmo 'Rainy' Pekkola, the developer of Rainlendar, in 2001.[7]

Usage

Rainmeter skins are written in Rainmeter code using a text editor and stored as INI configuration files.[8] System resource values and other information such as weather or time are stored through "meter" values within a skin, which can then be customized.[3]

Reception

CNET gave Rainmeter a 4 out of 5 star rating. It praised the software's flexibility, wide variety of themes and "enthusiastic community", while noting the program "isn't as intuitive as it could be."[9]

Softpedia gave Rainmeter a 4 out of 5 star rating, citing its comprehensive tutorials and low system resource usage, while criticizing its lack of cross-platform support.[10]

References
  1. "Setting Up - Rainmeter Docs". Rainmeter. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  2. Patrizio, Andy. "Why you need Rainmeter even in a business setting". Computerworld. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  3. "Rainmeter 3.1 review: Customize your desktop with". PCWorld. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  4. Ravenscraft, Eric (2017-01-04). "How to Create an Attractive, Customized Desktop HUD with Rainmeter". Lifehacker. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  5. Lavish, T (2017-05-25). "Rainmeter lets you customize your Windows desktop with widgets & skins". The Windows Club. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  6. "Create your own Windows themes with Rainmeter 4.0". TechRadar. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  7. "Rainmeter: An Open Community". DeviantArt. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  8. "Creating Skins - Rainmeter Docs". Rainmeter. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  9. "Rainmeter". Download.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  10. Opris, Elena (2014-01-30). "Rainmeter 3 Review". Softpedia. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
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