I use something like this on Linux, it's called tilda (there are also various similar implementations). It's both awesome and a curse to me. I have it bound to alt+kp_enter and I always keep an irssi/irc session running on it. Every time I need to chat with my friends on our IRC channels I just hit alt+kp_enter and it opens, it's a curse because now I'm always chatting and doing other things while I work, which detracts a lot from my productivity.

Still, really awesome! Nice to be able to share something like this with our windows friends.

Can recommend guake[1] for linux users, it looks decent and works like a charm. Modified the code a bit to color the active tab so it's easier to spot[2]. I think it's also included in the most recent version, i.e. if your distro has it or if you build it from source.

[1] = https://github.com/Guake/guake/ [2] = http://i.imgur.com/njoTQXe.png

There are many of this kind on Linux. I use stjerm and I like it.

I use it mainly as a home to MoC (Music on Console). You can assign a hotkey with -k option. I run following at startup.

/usr/bin/stjerm -k f12 -o 60 -fg 66ff11 -sh /bin/bash

I can also recommend guake if you're using Linux:

https://github.com/Guake/guake/

Edit: see other simultaneous comment :-)

For Git Bash users, use together with this: https://github.com/rpavlik/git-windows-mintty

If you're on KDE, this is great:

http://yakuake.kde.org/

You enable this in iTerm under Preferences > Keys > Hotkey (bottom left)

Thanks for mentioning TotalTerminal!

screenshot?