In a world where global connections are the norm, tracking the current time across global time-zones is essential. mclocks, an open-source desktop application, offers a sleek, no-frills solution. It displays multiple world clocks with minimal fuss, appealing to users who prioritize simplicity and control.
Simple but Elegant
Launch mclocks, and a small green window appears, showing two clocks: New York and London. It can be moved anywhere on your screen as you like. Being so small, it is completely unobtrusive. There is no settings menu, no notification area icon – just the essentials. This bare-bones design is deliberate, stripping away distractions and putting customization in the user’s hands via a configuration file.
Customizing with Config.json
To tailor mclocks, the users have to open C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\mclocks\. We can easily access this folder by typing %AppData%\mclocks into the Win+R dialog. Inside this folder, the config.json file awaits, editable with Notepad or Notepad++. Add or remove clocks by specifying a name and a valid timezone. You can find the valid timezones from https://www.php.net/manual/en/timezones.php which lists all the supported timezones.
Beyond clocks, the users can tweak time-date formats, locales, opacity, font size, font color, background color, or opt for text-only mode. You can set the window to stay on top if needed. Detailed instructions are available at github.com/bayashi/mclocks/blob/main/docs/about-config-json.md.
Who Benefits?
mclocks shines for specific users. Remote workers managing teams across continents, travelers scheduling international calls, or anyone juggling global timetables will find it invaluable. Tech enthusiasts and developers will enjoy its open-source flexibility, while minimalists will appreciate its uncluttered presence. However, it is not beginner-friendly – editing JSON requires some comfort with code, making it less ideal for those preferring graphical user interfaces.
Practical Uses
Imagine a freelancer syncing with clients in New York, London, and Tokyo, or a project manager aligning deadlines across regions. mclocks delivers real-time updates without overwhelming your desktop. Its lightweight design ensures it runs quietly, offering utility without intrusion. The ability to customize every aspect via config.json makes it a powerful tool for those willing to invest a little effort.
Conclusion
mclocks proves that less can be more. With a simple interface and a configurable back-end, it provides a tailored time-tracking experience. For professionals, tech-savvy users, and minimalists comfortable with JSON, it is a standout choice.
You can download mclocks from https://github.com/bayashi/mclocks.