Initial releaseFebruary 22, 2001 (2001-02-22)
Stable release
4.5.18 / July 31, 2023 (2023-07-31)[1]
Repositorygithub.com/rainmeter/rainmeter
Written inC++ and C# used for plugins
Operating systemWindows 7 SP1 and later[2]
PlatformIA-32 and x64
Available in32 languages
LicenseGNU GPL v2
Websitewww.rainmeter.net

Rainmeter is a free and open-source desktop customization utility for Windows 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.[3][4] Ready to use collections of skins can be downloaded and installed in packages known as "suites".[5]

Common functionalities of Rainmeter skins include desktop clocks, RSS readers, system monitors, weather widgets, application launchers and audio players.[6][7]

Development

The Rainmeter project was originally founded by Kimmo 'Rainy' Pekkola, the developer of Rainlendar, in 2001.[8] The project is primarily written in C++, while plugins can be written in either C++ or C#.[9]

Usage

Rainmeter skins are written in Rainmeter code using a text editor and stored as INI configuration files.[10] System resource values and other information such as weather or time are stored through "measure" values within a skin, which can then be shown through different kinds of customizable visual elements called "meters".[4]

Reception

CNET, in a 4 out of 5 star rating, praised the software's flexibility, wide variety of themes and "enthusiastic community", while noting the program "isn't as intuitive as it could be."[11] Softpedia also gave the software a 4 out of 5 star rating, citing its comprehensive tutorials and low system resource usage, while criticizing its lack of cross-platform support.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Releases · rainmeter/rainmeter". GitHub. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  2. ↑ "Setting Up - Rainmeter Docs". Rainmeter. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  3. ↑ Patrizio, Andy. "Why you need Rainmeter even in a business setting". Computerworld. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  4. 1 2 "Rainmeter 3.1 review: Customize your desktop with". PCWorld. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  5. ↑ Ravenscraft, Eric (2017-01-04). "How to Create an Attractive, Customized Desktop HUD with Rainmeter". Lifehacker. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  6. ↑ Lavish, T (2017-05-25). "Rainmeter lets you customize your Windows desktop with widgets & skins". The Windows Club. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Create your own Windows themes with Rainmeter 4.0". TechRadar. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  8. ↑ "Rainmeter: An Open Community". DeviantArt. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  9. ↑ "Developers - Rainmeter Docs". Rainmeter. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  10. ↑ "Creating Skins - Rainmeter Docs". Rainmeter. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Rainmeter". Download.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  12. ↑ Opris, Elena (2014-01-30). "Rainmeter 3 Review". Softpedia. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
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