[Bruce]

First and foremost this thread isn't meant to be a place to display your screeshots of conky or to discuss the inner workings of the conky configuration itself.  You can find that thread here at: Post your Screenshots of Conky and the files that created it or in one of the following:
 
Ubuntu Forums:

• Post your .conkyrc files w/ screenshots
  
• Howto: Get a beautiful Conky 1.4.2 setup
  
• Howto: setup Conky in Hardy and Ibex - Talks about Compiz problems as well.
  

.
#! Crunchbang Linux Forum: Thanks Ghoti

• My Conky Config

If you see and error, have an addition, please PM me and I'll pop it in here giving due credit.

When I started using Conky, I was using Ubuntu (GNOME) with metacity, when I switched to Xubuntu I found that my setup method, described below, worked beautifully with Xubuntu (Xfce), as did ALL my conky files.

Preamble:

What is CONKY? - Conky is a system monitor for X originally based on the torsmo code.

Since its original conception, Conky has changed a fair bit from its predecessor. Conky can display just about anything, either on your root desktop or in its own window. Conky has many built-in objects, as well as the ability to execute programs and scripts, then display the output from stdout.

Here's some further reading to help you "configure" your conky if you are interested:

• ~.conkyrc settings
  
• Conky Variables
  
• Conky Manual
  

So lets move on to: A Beginners Guide to Setting up Conky

CHAPTER I
Setting Up A Conky

First you need the file "conky" and I'd suggest you look at curl, lm-sensors and hddtemp as well, described below. You may as well get them now, I'll bet you will in the future if you don't:

Code:

sudo aptitude install conky

CURL - Get a file from an HTTP, HTTPS or FTP server

curl is a client to get files from servers using any of the supported protocols. The command is designed to work without user interaction or any kind of interactivity.

curl offers a busload of useful tricks like proxy support, user authentication, ftp upload, HTTP post, file transfer resume and more.

LM-SENSORS - utilities to read temperature/voltage/fan sensors

Lm-sensors is a hardware health monitoring package for Linux. It allows you to access information from temperature, voltage, and fan speed sensors. It works with most newer systems.

This package contains programs to help you set up and read data from lm-sensors.

Homepage: http://www.lm-sensors.org

hddtemp - hard drive temperature monitoring utility

The hddtemp program monitors and reports the temperature of PATA, SATA
or SCSI hard drives by reading Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting
Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) information on drives that support this feature.

If you want all four, it's easy:

Code:

sudo aptitude install conky curl lm-sensors hddtemp

OK, so you have the file(s).

Now to use conky, open a terminal and type:

Code:

conky

and you'll see a little window open and display a basic conky. That's the default conky found in: /etc/conky/conky.conf

But you want it on your desktop all the time and customized for your system, not in a pop-up window.

I'm going to be using gedit, you may have mousepad or kate. I use Xfce, but have gedit installed because I open multiple files in a tabbed environment. I'm also suggesting a directory and file names, one is hidden, use whatever you like, I'm using my setup here as an example only.

STEP 1 - Create a conky

• Create a directory in /home called /Conky
• Create an empty file called; conkymain:

Code:

gedit ~/Conky/conkymain

• Paste a conky file from one of the posts in the threads above that you like into that empty file and save it.

Believe it or not that's it, you now have a working (maybe not configured correctly) conky.

In terminal type (the -c is telling conky to load and run the file that follows):

Code:

conky -c ~/Conky/conkymain

and you'll see it, it may not be perfect for your setup, that's why I suggest you go to the threads mentioned above or even the default file: /etc/conky/conky.conf

The point is, you now have a working conky

STEP 2 - Setting up conky to autostart on boot.

• Create a hidden file ~/.startconky
  

Code:

gedit ~/.startconky

• In this empty file paste the following:

Code:

#!/bin/bash
sleep 0 && # 0 good for Xfce - use 20 to 30 for Gnome
conky -c ~/Conky/conkymain &
#sleep 0 &&
#conky -c ~/Conky/conkyforecast &

If you are using GNOME or KDE you'll need to change sleep 0 to sleep 20 or better, depending on your system. This gives your desktop (Metacity, Compiz, etc.) time to load itself and not over write an existing conky. The start conky command will be delayed by that time and not start until after your desktop is running.

I left two extra lines in there (commented out) for future reference if you ever want to run more than one conky. That's why I'm suggesting the ~/.startconky here. Once you start with conky, in my opinion, it's addictive and you may want more than one running. This way you are prepared.

Now you must make ~/.startconky executable.  There are two methods:

Terminal:

Code:

chmod a+x ~/.startconky

File Manager:
Right click on ~/.startconky > Properties > Permissions > check the box necessary to make it executable.

OK, so now you have conkymain working and a way to start it and a second one for future reference inside your ~/.startconky file.

Getting Ubuntu to Autostart conky.

In Ubuntu:

• System -> Preferences -> Sessions -> Startup Programs
• Click on the ADD button:

In Xubuntu:

• Applications > Settings > Settings Manager > Autostarted Apps
• Click on the ADD button:

Continuing in Ubuntu and Xubuntu:

• Name: Conky <<-- anything you want
• Description: <<--- anything you want (mine is blank)
• Command: <<-- see the "Open Icon" click on that. When your home folder shows, right click to show hidden files if not visible ... and find the hidden file: .startconky. Highlight it and click [ OK ].
• Close
• Now: [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Backspace] to restart your session and conky will start in xx seconds, depending on your sleep command.

In Kubuntu

I am NOT a KDE user and have never seen it but I found this at the bottom of; http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-19154.html:

NOTE: If things have changed since 2006 or there is an alternative way for KDE please PM me and I'll post it here with due credit.

CHAPTER II
A Multiple Conky Setup

Ok, you have your conky set up, you've configured it the way you want it's working properly for your system.

Now you want to put a second conky on your desktop, for example: weather.  If you followed the example above you have a ~/.startconky file with a second entry commented out, called conkyforecast. Uncomment those lines and you are ready to create an run a second conky.

Create that file the same way you created conkymain. When you get the blank file up I "suggest" copying your "conkymain" file into it and deleting everything below TEXT and change the "alignment" line for example:

Code:

alignment top_right  # top_right, top_left, bottom_left, bottom_right

to:

Code:

alignment bottom_left  # top_right, top_left, bottom_left, bottom_right

so they don't overlap each other.

Add what ever you want conky to display below TEXT, save it. Then edit the ~/.startconky file removing the # before the last two lines and make sure the last line points to your second file:

Code:

#!/bin/bash
sleep 0 && # 0 good for Xfce - use 30 to 60 for Gnome, compiz, etc.
conky -c ~/Conky/conkymain &
sleep 0 &&
conky -c ~/Conky/conkyforecast &

Now:

Code:

killall conky
conky -c ~/.startconky

to see the results.

More on conky:

• Conky Weather Forecast Python Script - Same script in a new thread so we can post suggestions and requests.
  
• Conky Google Calendar Python Script
  
• Conky SSL Email Python Script
  
• conkyDeluge
  
• conkyExaile
  
• conkyPidgin
  
• conkyRhythmbox
  
• Conky Gmail Revisited
  
• How To: Configuring Conky - Thank you Sealbhach
  
• HTML Color Names - Thank you Sealbhach
  

OK that will get you started, now comes the fun part ... configuring it to your own personal tastes and machine.

Have a Nice day
Bruce

PS: If you see errors or have other conky resources that you feel might be helpful here please PM me.

-----
Dedicated to all the wonderful people that helped me with conky, you know who you are. Thank you !

EDITS:

• 31 Jul 08 - Corrected ~/.startconky
• 01 Aug 08 - Added: Conky Gmail Revisited
• 15 Aug 08 - Added: "Getting Ubuntu to Autostart conky" section title.
• 06 Nov 08 - Added more scripts to the list
• 26 Nov 08 - Added info for running two or more scripts.
• 27 Nov 08 - Added links, better late than never. Thanks Sealbhach
• 28 Nov 08 - Added hddtemp
• 02 Jan 09 - Added Link to: Howto: setup Conky in Hardy and Ibex

[Resa]

Great howto! Of course a Rep +1 for your effort.

[Resa]

Hmmm ... have to dig into the manuals since in Xubuntu Jaunty I experienced something I have not experienced before. Somehow Conky stays on top of every window (see screenshot).

If someone knows the cure ... let me know (saves me reading  ).

[richs-lxh]

Code:

own_window_type desktop

and

Code:

own_window_hints undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager

[Bruce]

If someone knows the cure ... let me know (saves me reading  ).

You are using compiz and that is doing it. There is a cure, but not off the top of my head.
Check the 3rd link I gave just above the Preamble, the answer is in there.
Or what until I finish putting my setup online and I'll find it.

CHIMO!
Bruce

[richs-lxh]

Look up one post 

[Bruce]

Look up one post 

Oh --- not being a compiz guy ...  How could I know.

I did try as was suggested: Howto: setup Conky in Hardy and Ibex

For XFCE ONLY make the following changes to .conkyrc

Code:

own_window yes
own_window_type override
own_window_transparent yes

and something didn't work right. So I left my setup as it has been since forever.

CHIMO!
Bruce

[richs-lxh]

It's the "own window" and "below which keeps Conky under any open applications.

As it happens, I always had mine horizontal acroos the bottom or the top of the desktop, similar to a task bar, and I would resize my windows to actually show Conky.

Here is an early Conky from my Archlinux box:(Right Click "view image")



This is another showing Conky at the top and my modified Bashrc:

[Resa]

It's the "own window" and "below which keeps Conky under any open applications.

I'll try that later, currently on my DL install.

[off topic]

This is another showing Conky at the top and my modified Bashrc:

and the background shows your place  [/off topic]

[richs-lxh]

Nah, just some theme I picked up for Fluxbox. DL has Conky, why not have a play with it?

[Resa]

DL has Conky, why not have a play with it?

I know ... maybe I should. I'll add it to the To-Do list (below the things "my-one-and-only-true-love" has put on it  )

[Bruce]

In ~/.conkyrc settings one sees:

Code:

background         Boolean value, if true, Conky will be forked to background when started

own_window         Boolean, create own window to draw?
own_window_class Manually set the WM_CLASS name. Defaults to "Conky".
own_window_colour If own_window_transparent no, set a specified background colour (defaults to black). Takes either a hex value (#ffffff) or a valid RGB name (see /usr/lib/X11/rgb.txt)
own_window_hints If own_window is yes, you may use these window manager hints to affect the way Conky displays. Notes: Use own_window_type desktop as another way to implement many of these hints implicitly. If you use own_window_type override, window manager hints have no meaning and are ignored.
own_window_title Manually set the window name. Defaults to "<hostname> - conky".
own_window_transparent Boolean, set pseudo-transparency?
own_window_type if own_window is yes, you may specify type normal, desktop or override (default: normal). Desktop windows are special windows that have no window decorations; are always visible on your desktop; do not appear in your pager or taskbar; and are sticky across all workspaces. Override windows are not under the control of the window manager. Hints are ignored. This type of window can be useful for certain situations.

If you check my conkys you'll see an overkill of commands. They are all there by default in my conky as I keep changing them to see the different effects that take place.

From my conkys:

Code:

background no
own_window yes
own_window_type override
own_window_transparent yes
own_window_hints undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager
own_window_colour black

If you use own_window_type override, which I do, window manager hints (own_window_hints undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager) have no meaning and are ignored. Since they are ignored, I leave then there.  Changing "override" to "normal or desktop" I can play with them.

I have yet to find a way with Gnome or Xfce to have my conky in only one workspace. 

CHIMO!
Bruce

[richs-lxh]

You mean having Conky only show up one a single viruual desktop (if you have 4 for example)?

The default Conky script should do that anyway. In Dreamlinux, Conky only shows up on one workspace by default.

[Bruce]

You mean having Conky only show up one a single viruual desktop (if you have 4 for example)?

The default Conky script should do that anyway. In Dreamlinux, Conky only shows up on one workspace by default.

Can you show me the default setup?

I'm going to sut down, it's hotter than hades here and my machine, sides off with a floor fan on it, is heating up.
Be back this evening.

[richs-lxh]

Sorry, my mistake, it shows up on every virtual desktop. Strange, i'm sure it used to only appear on the main virtual desktop 

I'll check it out.

[Bruce]

  Bigger Fan! - In fact - two fans 

OK, here's another little tip.

I don't start conky "automatically" on boot. In my panel I have an icon (my avatar) that is connected to ssc.sh (Start/Stop Conky).
When I want my conky on the desktop I "turn it on". 

I can't remember who wrote it, but I am searching the conky threads to find out.

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# by: ??
# click to start, click to stop

if pidof conky | grep [0-9] > /dev/null
then
 exec killall conky
else
#sleep 3  # sleep not required for xfce on startup - 30 or more for others
conky -c ~/Conky/conkymain &
#sleep 3
conky -c ~/Conky/conkyforecast &
#sleep 3
conky -c ~/Conky/conkyemail &
#sleep 3 &&
conky -c ~/Conky/conkygcal &
#sleep 3 &&
conky -c ~/Conky/todo &
#sleep 3
#conky -c ~/Conky/test &
#sleep 3
#conky -c ~/Conky/test2 &
 exit
fi

and since I am "constantly" tweaking my conkys I have a couple of bashrc aliases I use a lot:

Code:

alias conke='(gedit ~/Conky/scripts/ssc.sh ~/Conky/conkymain ~/Conky/conkyforecast ~/Conky/calendar ~/Conky/conkyemail ~/Conky/conkygcal ~/Conky/todo ~/Conky/scripts/myweather.template ~/Conky/scripts/conkyGoogleCalendar.template ~/.conkyForecast.config ~/Documents/todo/todo.txt &)'
alias todo='(gedit ~/Documents/todo/todo.txt &)'

[richs-lxh]

On the Dreamlinux menu we have a start/stop Conky gui:

[Resa]

I don't start conky "automatically" on boot. In my panel I have an icon (my avatar) that is connected to ssc.sh (Start/Stop Conky).
When I want my conky on the desktop I "turn it on". 

I have used (part of) this script as well.

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# click to start, click to stop

if pidof conky | grep [0-9] > /dev/null
then
  exec killall conky
else
  conky -c ~/conky/conkymain &
  exit
fi

Furthermore I have also downloaded the conky icon set.
Now I also have in my panel an icon -- I choose the Orange one -- to start and stop conky.   

[Bruce]

I don't start conky "automatically" on boot. In my panel I have an icon (my avatar) that is connected to ssc.sh (Start/Stop Conky).
When I want my conky on the desktop I "turn it on". 

I have used (part of) this script as well.

Well, not everyone has as many running as I do 

I have my conkys in ~/Conky and the scripts in ~/Conky/scripts
I also have another 23 "directories" under ~/Conky with different test conkys I've done for various people.
I have most of my old ones going back quit a ways too.

Furthermore I have also downloaded the conky icon set.
Now I also have in my panel an icon -- I choose the Orange one -- to start and stop conky.   

I have those ... errr ... now!  Thank you 

CHIMO!
Bruce

[LaneLester]

I just joined this forum, and learning about Conky makes it immediately worthwhile. Thanks to Resa (or was it palemoon) for sending me here.

I'm running Xubuntu Karmic Beta 64-bit with Fluxbox, and I've decided to use Conky in place of the wharf. I appreciate the way the transparency (not using ownwindow) lets me desktop wallpapers show through.

I'm running Conky down the right side of the monitor, and space is not to be wasted. One obvious waste is the characters "iB" in many of the measurements. "M" and "G" are all that are needed.

I'm afraid I know the answer to this question: Is it possible to change the labels without compiling from source?

Lane

[Resa]

I just joined this forum, and learning about Conky makes it immediately worthwhile.

Hi Lane and welcome to LxH!

You certainly have come to the right place to learn about conky.
Bruce is a true wizard when it comes to conky.

Since you are running Karmic ... you can do great things with v1.7.2 (even if it just for fun and playing).
Bruce put up an example here and of course there are several samples on his blog Conky Hardcore!

[Bruce]

I just joined this forum, and learning about Conky makes it immediately worthwhile. Thanks to Resa (or was it palemoon) for sending me here.

You're here, that's what counts. 

I'm running Xubuntu Karmic Beta 64-bit with Fluxbox, and I've decided to use Conky in place of the wharf. I appreciate the way the transparency (not using ownwindow) lets me desktop wallpapers show through.

Xubu 9.10 is coming down as I type - I'm testing some stuff in Conky
Wharf?  I gotta check that out. 

I'm running Conky down the right side of the monitor, and space is not to be wasted. One obvious waste is the characters "iB" in many of the measurements. "M" and "G" are all that are needed.

I'm afraid I know the answer to this question: Is it possible to change the labels without compiling from source?

Lane

Hi Lane

And I'll bet a coffee you are wrong, otherwise you would not be afraid. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Conky Fans and you others who don't care, I give you:

short_units     Shortens units to a single character (kiB->k, GiB->G, etc.). Default is off.

OK that's that one ... How would you like ALL decimal percent values to be limited to one or two places and then when you use a ${goto} it acts on the decimal point? (IF you are using mono fonts.)

pad_percents     Pad percentages to this many decimals (0 = no padding)

If you answered yes, just add these above TEXT:

Code:

short_units yes
pad_percents 2
TEXT

That's my welcome to Lxh, Lane

My conky testing has to do with spacing ...
Have a nice day.
Bruce

[LaneLester]

Xubu 9.10 is coming down as I type - I'm testing some stuff in Conky
Wharf?  I gotta check that out. 

Well, it was the Fluxbox wharf, not Xfce's. The current Xfce has the most godawful menu structure the mind of man could devise. I wouldn't touch Xubuntu if I had to use Xfce.

I was running Ubuntu Karmic when I "discovered" Fluxbox, and I decided I might have less overhead with Xubuntu.

That's my welcome to Lxh, Lane

And a great welcome it is, too, Bruce. Thanks a bunch.

Lane

[richs-lxh]

................ did somebody mention Fluxbox!?

Welcome to LxH Lane,

Just in case you fancy a change, I am currently working on a Fluxbox desktop for the latest Dreamlinux 4.0 release. The new DL4.0 has a Debian "Squeeze" base so you also get an up to date Conky. I couldn't live without Conky on my Fluxbox desktops, and thanks to Bruce I have it showing everything i need.

rich

[Bruce]

Well, it was the Fluxbox wharf, not Xfce's. The current Xfce has the most godawful menu structure the mind of man could devise. I wouldn't touch Xubuntu if I had to use Xfce.

I was running Ubuntu Karmic when I "discovered" Fluxbox, and I decided I might have less overhead with Xubuntu.

I "discovered "Fluxbox" withing months of my coming to Linux - but my wife yelled: "WHERE'S MY PANELS!!!!" So I went from Gnome to Xfce to get something lighter. I'd still like to have Fluxbox, and when ARCH comes, it will have FluxBox with a "panels" add in. 

Not to worried about it in Xubu at the moment, as I'm really looking at ARCH.  If that doesn't work out (read: unhappy wife) I'll have to stick with Xubu.

That's my welcome to Lxh, Lane

And a great welcome it is, too, Bruce. Thanks a bunch.

Glad to have helped - now pop over to the screen shot section and lets see your conky. 

Have a nice day.
Bruce

[Tags:]

Linux Hardcore   Conky Hardcore! Support  Conky Hardcore! Support Forum  Topic: HowTo: A Beginners Guide to Setting up Conky