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Desktop Alarm Clock

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4.73/5 (21 votes)
23 Jan 2010CPOL3 min read 127.6K   6.8K   82   32
The Desktop Alarm Clock is a very useful application that can perform several tasks.

Introduction

Yet another great application, this one is a Desktop Alarm Clock! The desktop alarm clock is a very useful application that can perform several tasks. First, it will show the current time in a user friendly interface. Second, the user can schedule events with the clock so that the clock will alarm when the events are due. Third, the clock is simple, user friendly, and customizable.

Shown here are some of Desktop Alarm Clock's dials. You can design the elements by changing their properties.

Desktop_Alarm_Clock/Dials.png

Alarming clock:

Image 2

In order to have animated characters notify you about the events, your system must have a Microsoft Agent(s) installed. By default, at least one agent comes with Windows (the Merlin character). For more agents (Genie, Peedy, and Robby), you can download them from the link given below. To get the most out of the Desktop Alarm Clock, you could also download and install Text-To-Speech engine(s) for the preferred language so that the characters could pronounce the events' reminding notes. To download these components, follow this link: Microsoft Agents and Text-to-Speech engines.

Note, this is an application, and my only goal of posting it in here is to share it with the CodeProject members. I don't see a need for posting any code examples in here since I have already described in the Background section that this clock uses an analog clock control (from one of my articles) that has code examples in the demo project. For the reference, check the article in here. If you decide to get the Analog Clock control, then make sure to download the control from the external link that includes the latest version.

Background

The Desktop Alarm clock uses the Analog Clock control from one of my articles posted on The Code Project. If you decide to get the Analog Clock control, then make sure to download the control from the external link that includes the latest version. With the Analog Clock control, creating this alarm clock was very easy since the control is fully customizable. The application just paints the clock elements with different brushes to get a nicely designed clock. The rest of the functionality of the clock concerns saving and retrieving scheduled events of the alarm clock.

System Requirements

  • Windows 2000 and above
  • .NET Framework 3.5

Desktop Alarm Clock Information

History

Version 2.0.0.2

  • Besides notifying about the events, this update adds to Desktop Alarm Clock an ability to start applications, open document files (print, view, etc.), play audio and video files, play online radio (streaming path should be provided with the Windows Media, Winamp or other players as an argument), navigate to a web page, etc.
  • This version gives the user an ability to design the clock fully (every element). You are the artist of your desktop clock.
  • This version of the clock gives the user the ability to set the clock size, location, etc.
  • It also has a nicely designed stopwatch and ability to provide information about different time zones.
  • Finally with this update, the scheduling got even more flexible. Here are the scheduling options: Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Once, Daily, Weekends, AfterStart.

Version 2.1.0.2

  • Some fixes for Windows Vista

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Software Developer (Senior) ZipEdTech
United States United States
This member has not yet provided a Biography. Assume it's interesting and varied, and probably something to do with programming.

Comments and Discussions

 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
Member 1002550923-Feb-14 16:33
Member 1002550923-Feb-14 16:33 
GeneralMy vote of 1 Pin
pitas17-Jun-13 9:10
pitas17-Jun-13 9:10 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
Manoj Kumar Choubey23-Feb-12 21:53
professionalManoj Kumar Choubey23-Feb-12 21:53 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
Global Analyser4-Nov-10 5:58
Global Analyser4-Nov-10 5:58 
GeneralThe text not show over the head of Merlin when he said Pin
khoirom28-Oct-10 17:18
khoirom28-Oct-10 17:18 
GeneralNET framework 4 Pin
MHJFaase17-Jun-10 11:01
MHJFaase17-Jun-10 11:01 
I just downloaded the msi and tried to install it; I hadn't installed .NET framework yet (new PC), so I visited the microsoft site and they offered .NET framework 4; assuming backwards compatibility I installed it.

The Desktop Alarm Clock installation keeps asking for 3.5, however. This might be an issue with framework 4 or with the application - I can't be sure. Just thought I'd mention it.
GeneralGood Work.A little suggestion Pin
Victor.Ai.16-Feb-10 11:09
Victor.Ai.16-Feb-10 11:09 
GeneralRe: Good Work.A little suggestion Pin
shawnvw17-Feb-10 19:44
shawnvw17-Feb-10 19:44 
GeneralRe: Good Work.A little suggestion Pin
Arman Ghazanchyan17-Feb-10 21:31
Arman Ghazanchyan17-Feb-10 21:31 
GeneralRe: Good Work.A little suggestion Pin
Arman Ghazanchyan26-Feb-10 10:27
Arman Ghazanchyan26-Feb-10 10:27 
GeneralWhere are the Project or Solusion files Pin
BaileyMW20-Nov-09 2:03
BaileyMW20-Nov-09 2:03 
GeneralStarting study programing Pin
goodplay3-Mar-09 20:29
goodplay3-Mar-09 20:29 
Generala small suggestion Pin
Midnight4893-Mar-09 5:52
Midnight4893-Mar-09 5:52 
QuestionRunnign the source Pin
OtisTheDog26-Feb-09 9:35
OtisTheDog26-Feb-09 9:35 
Generalkool skins Pin
Donsw24-Feb-09 6:27
Donsw24-Feb-09 6:27 
GeneralError in Vista64 Pin
dyma20-Feb-09 3:51
dyma20-Feb-09 3:51 
GeneralRe: Error in Vista64 Pin
Arman Ghazanchyan20-Feb-09 16:41
Arman Ghazanchyan20-Feb-09 16:41 
GeneralRe: Error in Vista64 Pin
dyma20-Feb-09 20:22
dyma20-Feb-09 20:22 
GeneralRe: Error in Vista64 Pin
Arman Ghazanchyan21-Feb-09 6:18
Arman Ghazanchyan21-Feb-09 6:18 
GeneralNice work! Pin
Adrian Dorache19-Feb-09 21:14
Adrian Dorache19-Feb-09 21:14 
GeneralAlways on top... Pin
RolfMerz4-Jan-09 21:59
RolfMerz4-Jan-09 21:59 
GeneralRe: Always on top... Pin
Arman Ghazanchyan5-Jan-09 10:27
Arman Ghazanchyan5-Jan-09 10:27 
GeneralA little problem Pin
Nyarlatotep30-Dec-08 22:42
Nyarlatotep30-Dec-08 22:42 
GeneralRe: A little problem Pin
Nyarlatotep30-Dec-08 23:59
Nyarlatotep30-Dec-08 23:59 
GeneralRe: A little problem Pin
Arman Ghazanchyan1-Jan-09 12:58
Arman Ghazanchyan1-Jan-09 12:58 

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