|
|
Exploring Linux - Part 25
by Alan German
In the
Windows world I have been a huge fan of PC Magazine's
(previously free) NoteWhen utility. This little TSR
program stores message text and displays a reminder in
accordance with a user-specified schedule. I tried
various similar applications in Linux but wasn't
satisfied until I found KAlarm.
Since I use the classic Gnome desktop in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
(Precise Pangolin), and KAlarm is actually a KDE utility,
the use of this program may be somewhat surprising.
However, in the past, I have successfully run other KDE
programs from the Gnome desktop, so I had no problem in
trying out KAlarm. However, this isn't to say that this
particular KDE program worked inside Gnome straight
“out of the box” – it needed a little
tweak.
First though, let me say that KAlarm has considerable
flexibility and power, yet is very easy to use. At its
simplest, one selects New – New Display Alarm,
enters a text message, sets the date and time for the
reminder, and presses OK. Then, when the appointed time
comes around, the text message is displayed on the screen
together with a musical accompaniment.
For those of
us who can readily live without all the “bells and
whistles”, KAlarm is highly configurable and so it
is a simple matter to go into Settings – Configure
KAlarm – Edit – Alarm Types – Sound –
None in order to turn of the music. And, under the
settings menu, you will find a whole host of other
options – everything from the range of working
hours, to the font and colour to be used for message
display.
One thing that I found puzzling was that, although I had
checked Run Mode – Start at Login, and View Settings
– General – Show in system tray, KAlarm wasn't
actually starting when I booted into Ubuntu.
This appears to be a problem due to using a KDE program
under Gnome. A bug report indicates that, under Gnome, a
command such as the following must be used to start
KAlarm:
kalarmautostart
kalarm - -tray
When this
command is included as an optional startup program
(System – Preferences – Startup Applications
– Startup Programs) KAlarm does indeed spring into
action as soon as the machine boots up.
So, with KAlarm running, my whole life is organized with
a series of reminders set to be displayed at the
appropriate times. Now, did I remember to set an alarm
for my wife's birthday...?
Bottom Line:
KAlarm (Open source)
Version 2.9.0
David Jarvie
https://apps.kde.org/en/kalarm
Originally published: May, 2013
top of page
|
Archived Reviews
A-J
K-Q
R-Z
The opinions expressed in these reviews
do not necessarily represent the views of the
Ottawa PC Users' Group or its members.
|
