>>Sure -- choose a panel, then in the Style section choose Time form the list. It takes a bit of practice to get the activex bar working right, but it works well once you're familiar with it. Also, it needs to go in a bottom docked toolbar, otherwise it can be covered by objects (like forms)...
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>Thanks Bruce, but that's basically the awkward behaviour, it does not stay on top of objects.

Yes, I had some frowns about it at first too...but I've found it well worth the slight trouble to get the activex bar working in the bottom-docked toolbar for my primary top-level, along with its own toolbars & menu. I no longer use the _screen for anything at all now...It's really a nice feeling of independence & total control...

I issue all status messages from anywhere in an app from a method I call Topmain.Message(ctext), which functions similarly to SET MESSAGE...