Difference between revisions of "Basic Tips for conky"

General clean-up, remove outdated links/references, formatting
imported>Yoy0
imported>Dalto
(General clean-up, remove outdated links/references, formatting)
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{{warning|This page is out of date.  With conky version 1.10 and later, the configuration file has been restructured.  This page needs to updated to reflect that.}}
__TOC__
__TOC__




=Installation=
=Installation=
Conky can be installed with this command:
Conky can be installed with this command:
  sudo pacman -S conky
  pamac install conky
 
 
=Configuration=
 
==Configuration file==


=Configuration file=
Default Conky configuration file is located in:
Default Conky configuration file is located in:
  ~/.config/conky/conky.conf
  ~/.config/conky/conky.conf
or a longer file path:
/home/'''<username>'''/.config/conky/conky.conf
Replace <code><username></code> with your user/account name.


All file names starting with a dot <code>.</code> are hidden files. If you want to see hidden files in your file manager, you need to make them visible. In most file managers you need to press <code>CTRL + H</code> or <code> Alt + . (KDE)</code> to do that.
All file names starting with a dot <code>.</code> are hidden files. If you want to see hidden files in your file manager, you need to make them visible. In most file managers this will be available in the options.
 


=Code=
<code>conky.conf</code> can be edited with every text editor. It's code is split into two parts:  
<code>conky.conf</code> can be edited with every text editor. It's code is split into two parts:  


==First Part - Window/Conky configuration==
==First Part - Window/Conky configuration==
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  conky.config = {
  conky.config = {
  }
  }
Some rules to respect:
Some rules to respect:


Line 33: Line 35:


Comment start with <code>--</code>
Comment start with <code>--</code>


===Examples:===
===Examples:===
'''1.''' This will set the default font color of your conky to white. Additionally, a <code>color1</code> gets set using a [http://html-color-codes.info/ Html Color Code]to a light blue:
'''1.''' This will set the default font color of your conky to white. Additionally, a <code>color1</code> gets set using a [http://html-color-codes.info/ Html Color Code]to a light blue:
  conky.config = {
  conky.config = {
Line 40: Line 44:
     color1 = '0ab1ff',          -- Light blue
     color1 = '0ab1ff',          -- Light blue
  }
  }
'''2.''' This enables Xft, set the default font (LiberationMono), make it bold and set it's size (8):
'''2.''' This enables Xft, set the default font (LiberationMono), make it bold and set it's size (8):
  conky.config = {
  conky.config = {
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     font = 'LiberationMono:bold:size=8',
     font = 'LiberationMono:bold:size=8',
  }
  }
'''3.''' In order to position your conky on your screen, modify these settings:
'''3.''' In order to position your conky on your screen, modify these settings:
  conky.config = {
  conky.config = {
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     gap_y 20,                    -- and a vertical gap of 20 pixels (to your top screen edge).
     gap_y 20,                    -- and a vertical gap of 20 pixels (to your top screen edge).
  }
  }
'''4.''' In some case you can have multiple values for one setting, they will be separated by a coma:
'''4.''' In some case you can have multiple values for one setting, they will be separated by a coma:
  conky.config = {
  conky.config = {
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Use the command: <code>man conky</code>, and look into the '''CONFIGURATION SETTINGS''' section to see every settings available.
Use the command: <code>man conky</code>, and look into the '''CONFIGURATION SETTINGS''' section to see every settings available.


A great [http://conky.sourceforge.net/config_settings.html documentation]of all possible configuration settings and their arguments is available.
{{warning|Is this link still relevant ?}}


==Second Part - What is displayed by conky==
==Second Part - What is displayed by conky==
The second part contains the displayed conky code. Every code line corresponds to one displayed line on your desktop. There are a lot of [http://conky.sourceforge.net/variables.html variables]available for displaying and modifying all kinds of information. Use the command: <code>man conky</code>, and look into the '''OBJECTS/VARIABLES''' section to see every objects/variables available.
 
{{warning|Again, is this link still relevant ?}}
The second part contains the displayed conky code. Every code line corresponds to one displayed line on your desktop. There are a lot of available for displaying and modifying all kinds of information. Use the command: <code>man conky</code>, and look into the '''OBJECTS/VARIABLES''' section to see every objects/variables available.
 


The whole code belong between these two double bracket:
The whole code belong between these two double bracket:
  conky.text = [[
  conky.text = [[
  ]]
  ]]


===Examples:===
===Examples:===
'''1.''' You can choose the color of your font using one of the following variables:
'''1.''' You can choose the color of your font using one of the following variables:
  ${color}
  ${color}
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Warning: Using complicated bash commands (e.g. which call other programs or use large files) with low intervals (e.g. <code>${execi 2 XXXX}</code> runs the <code>XXXX</code> code once every 2 seconds and displays it's result in your conky) can use a lot of hardware resources and/or make your computer unresponsive.
Warning: Using complicated bash commands (e.g. which call other programs or use large files) with low intervals (e.g. <code>${execi 2 XXXX}</code> runs the <code>XXXX</code> code once every 2 seconds and displays it's result in your conky) can use a lot of hardware resources and/or make your computer unresponsive.


=Running conky=
=Running conky=
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  pkill conky && conky
  pkill conky && conky


=More=
After having read everything about conky, it is time to create your own. The easiest way for beginners is to look at screenshots of conkys (and the corresponding <code>.conkyrc</code> files) and copy and paste the parts you like into your own <code>.conkyrc</code> file. Later, you can modify your <code>.conkyrc</code> code to your liking.
A dedicated conky thread in the Manjaro Forum with a lot of <code>.conkyrc</code> files and screenshots is available [https://forum.manjaro.org/index.php?topic=2991.0 here]. A massive conky thread is available in the [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=281865 Ubuntu forum]. Also, there are [https://www.reddit.com/r/conky multiple] [https://www.reddit.com/r/Conkyporn reddit] threads about conky.
Searching on the Internet for <code>.conkyrc</code> can yield a lot of great <code>.conkyrc</code> files, too.


A detailed [https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/conky Arch Wiki entry]exists. It contains a lot of useful information and links.
=Troubleshooting & Tips=


The [http://conky.sourceforge.net/ homepage]of the conky project can be interesting, especially the [http://conky.sourceforge.net/documentation.html documentation].
==Missing rings==
If (often colored) rings are missing in your conky, you may install the package {{ic|conky-lua}} from [[Arch_User_Repository|AUR]] using your favorite package manager or with the command:
pamac build conky-lua


A forum discussion thread about this Manjaro Wiki page is available [https://forum.manjaro.org/index.php?topic=16844.0 here]


=Troubleshooting & Tips=
==Missing network information==
==Missing rings==
If (often colored) rings are missing in your conky, please install the following package:
yaourt -S conky-lua
[https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php?title=AUR#Searching_for_and_Installing_Software_From_the_AUR Here]is help for installing packages from the Arch User Repository, in case you need it.


==Missing network information==
If network information is missing like download speed or network name (SSID), you need to replace the network card name in network variables in the <code>.conkyrc</code> file with your network card name.
If network information is missing like download speed or network name (SSID), you need to replace the network card name in network variables in the <code>.conkyrc</code> file with your network card name.


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In this case, <code>enp9s0</code> is the name of your ethernet card and <code>wlp2s0</code> is the name of your wireless network card. Replace all network card names (e.g. <code>wlan0</code>, <code>eth0</code>) in network variables in your <code>.conkyrc</code> file with your preferred network card name.
In this case, <code>enp9s0</code> is the name of your ethernet card and <code>wlp2s0</code> is the name of your wireless network card. Replace all network card names (e.g. <code>wlan0</code>, <code>eth0</code>) in network variables in your <code>.conkyrc</code> file with your preferred network card name.


==FAQ==
A detailed FAQ is available [http://conky.sourceforge.net/faq.html here]


=Alternative: Conky Manager=
=Alternative: Conky Manager=
For everybody, who does not like to look at conky code and mess around in config files or who just wants a quick and simple conky, Conky Manager is great. Conky Manager offers a simple GUI for managing and customizing conkys. Additional theme packs are available, too.
For everybody, who does not like to look at conky code and mess around in config files or who just wants a quick and simple conky, Conky Manager is great. Conky Manager offers a simple GUI for managing and customizing conkys. Additional theme packs are available, too.


==Installation==
To install Conky Manager install the package {{ic|conky-manager}} from [[Arch_User_Repository|AUR]] using your favorite package manager or with the command:
yaourt -S conky-manager
pamac build conky-manager
In case this installation fails, to to install
yaourt -S conky-manager-bzr
[https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php?title=AUR#Searching_for_and_Installing_Software_From_the_AUR Here]is help for installing packages from the Arch User Repository.
 
==Additional information==
Recently, a new version of [http://www.teejeetech.in/2014/06/conky-manager-v2-released.html Conky Manager]has been released. Shortly after, a couple of [http://www.teejeetech.in/2014/06/conky-manager-v2-themes.html theme][http://www.teejeetech.in/2014/07/my-conky-themes-update-2.html packs].


There are also [http://www.teejeetech.in/2013/07/super-conky-package.html theme][http://www.teejeetech.in/2013/07/deluxe-conky-theme-pack.html packs]available for the previous version. Full compatibility is not guaranteed, but they are definitely worth a try.


A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va2rnyZJe10 Youtube]video with basic tips is available as well.
=See Also=


* The [https://github.com/brndnmtthws/conky/wiki Conky website]
* The [https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/conky Arch Wiki] page for Conky




[[Category:Contents Page]]
[[Category:Contents Page]]
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