I use a status bar plug-in called "load-applet". See https://garage.maemo.org/projects/load-applet/
There are also ways to do this at a lower level with xterm but someone else will have to advise you. I know just enough about linux to be a danger to myself! By the way, the "Search" feature at the top of the page will give you the answer to just about any question you may have.