TTclock 1.45, © 2012-2021, Horst Schaeffer

Transparent digital desktop clock + alarm clock, timer, stopwatch


TTclock has two display modes: pure clock display and control panel. In clock display mode the background is either fully transparent (background only visible on mouse hover), or permanently visible as a semi-opaque rectangle (see menu:settings).

TTclock keeps an icon in the system tray. This also makes it easier to bring the clock to the foreground, when it is buried under other windows.

Clock display mode:
  • Double click to switch to the control panel
    Ctrl + double click (if timer running): toggle current time <--> timer
     
  • Drag rectangle to move
     
  • Right mouse click for menu (control panel, exit)

Control panel mode:
  • Double click on clock to switch to pure clock display (= Escape key)
    Ctrl + double click (if timer running): switch to pure timer
     
  • Mode buttons: Alarm at.. / Timer / Stopwatch (keyboard: Alt + left/right)
    If Alarm or Timer is selected, the starting time is set to the last used value.

  • Set starting time: type digits
    Arrow key left/right, home, end to move input marker
    Arrow key up/down for digit +/-1
    In 12-hour mode (for alarm): toggle AM/PM by mouse click (keyboard: page up/down)
     
  • Start/Stop button (= Enter key)
     
  • C (clear) button to reset (= DEL key or "C")

Main menu items:
  • Program:
    Clock mode (switch)
    Minimize (to system tray)
    Info -> version, this text, website
    Exit
     
  • Settings:
    Keep on top? (preferably with permanent background)
    Color -> digits, background (see note below *)
    Font (digits) - fixed space font recommended; examples: Consolas, Courier New, Lucida ..
    Permanent background? - .. or only on mouse hover (clock mode)
    Enable AM/PM for current time display and alarm time (requires appropriate Regional Settings **)
    Seconds in clock mode? - can be hidden (always visible on mouse hover)
     
  • Sound:
    Alarm sound loop? - sound repeats (stop with start/stop button, or by switching to clock mode)
    WAV files are listed from the TTclock program folder (any *.WAV you put there).
    You may also rename the files, so they will show in your language.
    For more WAV files see C:\Windows\Media or search the web.

* Unless permanent background is selected, the background color should be near the color of the desktop where the clock is placed, otherwise Windows' "ClearType" (font smoothing) may cause unwanted effects.

** AM/PM symbol: Go Windows Regional Settings (or run: intl.cpl): Formats, Additional settings / Time ..
You can select the AM/PM symbols, and even edit them (to lower case, for example).

System tray icon:
  • Left click toggles: show (foreground, focus) or hide (i.e. "minimize") TTclock
  • Right click: menu (Control panel, exit)
Note: The [x] button in the control panel title bar minimizes to the system tray; to exit use menus or Alt+F4.

Multiple instances:

More instances of TTclock can be launched. They will always appear as control panel in the middle of the desktop. Move as you like. The title bar indicates the instance number in parentheses. Settings will be saved to the INI file for the first instance only.

Languages:

If there is a language file for your language, it will be used by TTclock.
To apply an other file specify it in the INI file (see below), e.g.: language = french
To create a file for your language see info "Languages.txt".

INI file tweaks:

File: "TTclock.ini" in TTclock folder*; edit while the program is NOT running!
  • [TTclock] section:

    language = (file name without ".lng" from the "languages" folder)
     
  • [Tweaks] section:

    Alpha = 100...255 - Opacity of clock background; default:200, solid:255

    SingleClickSwitch = 1 - instead of double click to switch clock <--> control panel
    (When the clock does not have the focus, an extra click may be required)

    ESCtoSystray = 1 - ESC key from control panel to Systemtray (not to clock mode)
* If you have installed TTclock in the "Program Files" structure (not recommended), the INI file is stored by Windows 7+ under shell:appdata or %appdata%.

Notes:

When TTclock starts, it makes sure it will show within the desktop bounds.
On alarm the control panel is brought to the foreground (but it does not steal the focus).

TTclock (c) 2012-2021, Horst Schaeffer, is freeware - no warranty, no liability.

https://www.horstmuc.de
mailto:horst.schaeffer@gmail.com
16 Jul 2021