jpeekaboo

jpeekaboo is a simple-to-use application designed in Java, which enables you to seamlessly write notes on the desktop to keep track of important information, such as tasks, meetings, birthdays, or vacations.

It comes bundled with a small set of options that can be configured with ease by all types of users, even the ones inexperienced with note-taking utilities.

As long as you have Java on your machine, you don't have to install anything else. The whole program's wrapped in just one file that can be copied to a preferred directory on the disk or to a removable storage unit to directly run the application on any PC with Java. It doesn't have any other software requirements, integrate new entries into the system registry, or create new files on the disk.

Once fired up, jpeekaboo creates an icon in the system tray to facilitate quick access to its configuration settings. A blank note with a yellow background is displayed on the right side of the screen, which hides when not in focus. To bring it back, you just have to move the cursor to the right margin.

By holding down the Ctrl button while double-clicking (either left or right click) on any part of the note, you can disable autohide. If you hold down the Ctrl button again and move the cursor to the left margin, it's possible to horizontally resize the note.

There is no context menu available within the notes, nor are there any customization options related to the text or background. However, you can pin the main window to the left side of the screen instead of the right, as well as adjust the vertical size, which is relative to the screen's dimensions.

The notes along with the settings for the pinning side and vertical size are remembered on exit and loaded at the next launch. However, the horizontal size is disregarded.

The tool worked smoothly in our tests, without causing the operating system to hang, crash or indicate errors. It had minimal impact on the machine's performance.

Although it doesn't come packed with a particularly rich set of features, jpeekaboo offers a quick solution for writing simple notes while working or studying on the computer.