USS Monitor

Download USS Monitor

What is USS Monitor?

USS Monitor stands for Unified System Stats Monitor. It monitors system statistics in the Windows Vista sidebar. As of now (version 0.0.7.0), it only displays a few statistics. Eventually, USS Monitor will be fully themable/skinnable, with a complete plugin suite of processes to monitor.

Screenshot of the USS Monitor gadget

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I use USS Monitor?

    Download and double-click the .gadget file to install it. For now, any theme and monitor changes have to be manually coded, but eventually, themes and monitors will be able to be added by right-clicking on the gadget and selecting 'Options'. If you want to change monitors or themes, please read the relevant sections of this FAQ for details on how to do it.

  • How do I add a monitor?

    First, you need to obtain a monitor. Either find one that someone else wrote or write one yourself. Monitors consist of a specially formatted JavaScript file and any other supporting files (such as images or icons). To add a monitor, follow these steps:

    CAUTION: I am not responsible if you break USS Monitor by adding an unsupported monitor. I usually don't respond to emails about how to fix USS Monitor. Please remember to keep a copy of the unadulterated gadget, so you can start over if you break it.

    1. Rename the USS Monitor gadget file's extension from .gadget to .zip.
    2. Unzip it by right-clicking and selecting 'Extract all...'
    3. Open up a file explorer and navigate to USSMonitor/Monitors.
    4. Make a folder to put your new monitor in and give it a relevant name.
    5. Copy the JavaScript file into this folder. Make a separate folder for any supporting files, such as images or icons.
    6. Open USS Monitor.html in your favorite text editor.
    7. Add a line among all of the <script> tags that says: 
      <script type='text/javascript' src='path/to/your/monitorName.js'></script>
    8. Add another line to the monitor() method that reads:
      monitorName() ;
    9. add a third line among all of the <div>s which reads: 
      <div id='monitorName' class='monitorName'></div>
    10. Zip everything back up and rename it from .zip to .gadget. If you want to redistribute the monitor, it would also help things if you called the gadget something different, like USSMonitor-0.0.7.0-MrJones.gadget.
    11. If you'd like me to include your monitor in the next release, email me a copy of your JavaScript file (and supporting files). I'll see what I can do. creitz at reitzinternet dot-com.

  • How do I change the theme?

    Obtain a theme. Either make one or get one. Themes are just .css files that are placed in a special folder in the gadget. To add a theme, follow these steps:

    CAUTION: I am not responsible if you break USS Monitor by adding an unsupported theme. I usually don't respond to emails about how to fix USS Monitor. Please remember to keep a copy of the unadulterated gadget, so you can start over if you break it.

    1. Rename the USS Monitor gadget file's extension from .gadget to .zip.
    2. Unzip it by right-clicking and selecting 'Extract all...'
    3. Open up a file explorer and navigate to USSMonitor/Themes.
    4. Make a folder to put your new theme in and give it a relevant name.
    5. Copy the CSS file into this folder.
    6. Open USS Monitor.html in your favorite text editor.
    7. Change the line that says: 
      <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./Themes/LCD/LCD.css">
      so that the 'href' points to your CSS file.
    8. Zip everything back up and rename it from .zip to .gadget. If you want to redistribute the monitor, it would also help things if you called the gadget something different, like USSMonitor-0.0.7.0-MrJones.gadget.
    9. If you'd like me to include your theme in the next release, email me a copy of your CSS file. I'll see what I can do. creitz at reitzinternet dot-com.

  • I'd like USS Monitor to monitor my favorite statistic. How do I make it do that?

    If you know how to program, please write a JavaScript function that monitors your favorite system stat and send it to me for inclusion in USS Monitor. If you don't program, then just send me an email request at creitz at reitzinternet dot-com.

  • I want USS Monitor to match my Windows theme.

    If you know how to program, write a CSS file which makes USS Monitor look the way you like, and email it to me. If you don't program, just email me a suggestion at creitz at reitzinternet dot-com.

  • I want to do X and it isn't on this FAQ

    Email me. If I think that it should go on the FAQ, I'll put it on. creitz at reitzinternet dot-com.


Changelog

  • 0.0.0.1 Clock, Hi-Contrast Inverse theme
  • 0.0.1.0 Battery Monitor
  • 0.0.2.0 CPU Load Monitor
  • 0.0.3.0 RAM Monitor, Hi-Contrast theme, Terminal theme
  • 0.0.4.0 Wireless Monitor, Initial stages of LCD Theme
  • 0.0.5.0 IP address and hostname monitor (thanks to Peppery)
  • 0.0.7.0 Disk space monitoring on C:/