START MENU HACK IS IT POSSIBLE - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

Ok,
I am not sure if any of you have switched your devices from Portrait to Landscape recently, but give it a try and you will see how the Recent Programs are displayed in Portrait we all know they go under the user defined icons in the start menu, but in Landscape they are all listed at the top alot neater than making your start menu list go across the screen. I searched the registry yesterday trying to see if any values changed with no luck. So can one of you guys like Buzz or Mamiach or someone take a look into it???
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I'm also desperately keen for a hack to fix this - it's very messy having the long list, and quite disorientating.
I put the whole registry into word and spent a fair bit of time seqarching for something that could have looked like a meaningful key - nada. It's probably hard coded

craigiecraigie4 - this is likely to be coded into the menu routine - when the list would create a menu > screen height, it reverts to the cuter menu.
I can't think of any way to hack into this without hacking the underlying routines. I doubt this is in the registry, but calculated dynamically.
Why not use smallmenu? it's better...
V

the ipaq 4155 I had used to do this stright out of the box, even without switching to Landscape.. that was windows Mobile 2003 (not SE).
It seems 2003 kept the most recently opened progs on the top hirizontally. 2003SE does this in the center of the start menu instead.
2003SE (on AximX50v)
http://65.185.35.123/dp_chobits_chi1_a.jpg
2003 (not SE on ipaq4155)
http://65.185.35.123/dp_miyu_2_a.jpg
I'll see what i can dig up.

vijay555 said:
Why not use smallmenu? it's better...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correction - it's MUCH better...

I am using WA with WAD, but I really like to limit my programs to necessity rather than GUI. I don't want to install to many programs on my PDA2K I like to keep it clean

alfredtv - if you're using wisbar, why do you need the startmenu at all?
SmallMenu is a fair alternative to wisbar if you only need what it offers.
I think the startmenu is near useless, and loathe it being there even when I don't need it. That's what prompted me to make my ToggleToday hacks
With SmallMenu correctly configured you shouldn't need the startmenu at all.
(note settings submenu, favorites submenu, special tools, custom icons on subfolders etc)
I took it to an extreme and made a toggle-able StartMenu, ToggleToday and new bar all in one:
However I've had a thought about a possible way to achieve the "mini-start menu". I might play around with an idea. No promises though, lots of other things to do.
V

I have read about your hacks on the other forums, and was thinking about trying them out.
Do they work with WM5 now??
I am using WA because their is no way to change the recent programs to a different location/remove them all together. I would not use them if there was a way to do this.
As I said before I prefer to not use additional programs, but at this point have no chioce. In WM5 M$ should really have thought about adding cascading menus to the Start button, that would have been great.

alfredtv - I haven't checked my hacks properly on WM5. The hiding the start bar bit does work for ToggleToday on WM5. It won't however hide the tray from the Today screen yet, because I don't have a WM5 device to test on.
If you're only using Wisbar as a startmenu replacement, give smallmenu a go. There is a free version. I've never had any problems with it.
V

Related

Removing soft menu buttons in WM5?

Anyone knows how to remove the bottom soft menu buttons (messages/calendar bar) at the bottom?
:roll:
Greetz
DvL
Are you talking about the soft menu buttons (the menu bar right at the bottom of the screen?).
V
..
aha that is what it called? :shock:
yes i mean the soft menu thingy ;o) it is covering some of my fine vga theme art LOL
:twisted:
hmmm
Anyone?
Have you tried WisBar Advanced with WisBar Desktop???
It is a great set of programs that gives you the ability to hide the soft buttons
www.lakeridgesoftware.com
ehh
YEAH YOU ARE RIGHT LOL
but that slows down the Universal sooo much, i actually got my idea from WAD (wisbar advanced desktop).
I would like just a hack or so! then it would show my theme perfectly in landscape mode too..
Love the speed of my Universal now! only got pocketbreeze 5 installed! perfect.
So? any code hackers here? or .cab makers (soft menu buttons off and soft menu buttons on cab)??
dvl, this is discussed elsewhere on the forum. I believe that Wisbar desktop advance allows you to hide the soft buttons in Wisbar, but these menus bars are made per application.
I've made an app to hide the bars on the Today screen but it only works on WM2003 yet, NOT wm5. In fact I believe that it does hide the bars in WM5, but it doesn't allow you to use the space (yet). This is how it looks on WM2003se:
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That's discussed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=27331&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
This is NOT wm5 yet, but as soon as I get a new copy of visual studio 2005 I'll fix it. It WILL work, just have to wait a while :wink:
If you want to generally hide the bars, I've made a program to do it, but you have to replace the bars with something: you'll just end up with a bit of empty space there otherwise. I've made a program to do that too,
but that's not generally available yet. eg full screen calendar hack.
Oh, and fullscreen terminal services:
V
hmm
i actually look for a way in hiding it like wibar advanced desktop does it, removing it and showing what is behind it (wallpaper).
just replacing it with another image is not what i actually am looking for.
I am sure a lot of people know exactly what i mean ;o) something like wisba advanced desktop without having to use that resource hogging program self LOL
:twisted:
Eh? That's what all my programs do (on wm2003se anyway!)
V
ehh
ok email it to me lol. lets see if it works on wm5 LOL
dvl: the link is already posted above. As I said, it doesn't work on WM5, or at least not properly, so I don't recommend it right now, although hopefully in a week or so I'll have the new VS 2005 and can finish the damn thing off. For now it will remove the soft menu buttons, but NOT fill the space up (on WM2003 it expands your today screen, which is why that thread is called "16% bigger today screen" or something...)
Follow that thread and try it, but as I said, it doesn't work as designed yet. You might ask why I'm mentioning it then: because no one else has come up with a solution to remove the bars, and I'm just highlighting that it can be done, by anyone. My own version will be here soonish.
V
VJ! FULL SCREEN TERMINAL SERVICES!!!! This is just too bloody awesome for words...I stopped following that thread when I figured no-one was gonna solve it. I'm off to contribute GBP10 to your WM5 fund right now - please keep my real name out of any messages.
Hangin in there for JasJar compliant:
- VJDialer (works on other wm5 devices I hear, not the JJ tho)
- ToggleStart (tho not sure it'll be any use until PhoneAlarm works on WM5 AND VGA <- I'm correct in believeing there are no VGA skins, hey?)
- This full screen TS capability!!
For others who want to see VJ working on his apps, use this paypal link to contribute to his VS2005 and WM5 device costs:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webs...ency_code=GBP&bn=PP-DonationsBF&charset=UTF-8
craigiecraigie4 - wow, thanks man! I'm getting to my WM5 device slowly, although your donation even distracted my better half from her CSI this evening!
I did the fullscreen terminal services mainly as a response to your pleading, thought you'd already seen it! Have you posted in the other thread?
Hopefully, as soon as I get a copy of Visual Studio 2005, I'll get it sorted out in beta.
Thanks again!
V

A Decent Task ( as in Programs ) Manager ? Suggestions ?

Hi all,
Used to using my old Jornada and that had an easy way of finding current programs that where running and close one or all - the Wizzrds a pain for this as you have to go to the settings screen etc rather than the main menu..... any one got any suggestions of a good today plugin or other prog ?
Thanks in advance ( sorry I'm asking so many questions - hopfully I will be up to speed soon and help others out my self )
Terran
pocketplus has one with the enhanced "x" in the corner you can hold it down to see a list of progs running and chose to end any of them.
I use Magic Button 2 which has a very convenient Today button and it is configurable to show more or less icons. Works great!
Wouter
XBAR2!!
http://xetranet.free.fr/xbar2/?lang=eng&project=xBar 2&page=Download
Only 50 KB. It will not insinuate in the OS.
It is simple yet the depth of this soft is huge.
Task switcher, task killer, launcher you can manipulate it fully from Dpad thus it is well done for one handed operations. Just give it a try.
There is also GSP Pocket Magic
http://www.pocketpcfreeware.com/en/index.php?soft=1276
Both can work together very well as they do not try to interfere with the OS.
I don't use anymore pocket plus and wisbar advance. Too big, too complex (bugs), not fully compatible WM5/Wizard, too many slow downs.
Each time i have a problem I tend to think maybe it is because of wisbar or pocket plus.
meroupow said:
XBAR2!!
http://xetranet.free.fr/xbar2/?lang=eng&project=xBar 2&page=Download
Only 50 KB. It will not insinuate in the OS.
It is simple yet the depth of this soft is huge.
Task switcher, task killer, launcher you can manipulate it fully from Dpad thus it is well done for one handed operations. Just give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love you!
That software rocks. Bought it and installed it. Works a Treat!
Thankyou so much.
SmallMenuPlus
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V
Im only intressted in freeware.
SmallMenu has a freeware version.
GS Pocket Magic ++ is a great (and similar) alternative.
V
Is there a freeware out on a great rss reader which downloads pictures from rss urls?
http://www.kasuei.com/hitchhiker/ workin under WM5?
If you want a solution for closing programmes (including hidden ones if you want) thats not main page based, Binarys smart phone explorer works on WM5 devices, and has soem cool functions.
Its freeware, the URL is
http://www.binarys.com/download_en.asp
There is a new version for Xbar:
Xbar3
http://xetranet.free.fr/xbar2/?lang=eng&project=xBar 2
Of course it is not free but it is very cheap and it has some good new features:
- it supports mapping shortcuts to any key of the Wizard and that makes a lot...
- you can launch macros that are now emulating screen clicks.
Like if like me you want to quickly access the quick call list you just make a macro like this:
\Windows\cprog.lnk
xmacro=X200,Y200,D,U,
then I associated to the green key.
Therefore when I press action I call Xbar and when I click green key it lauches the macro and i go directly to my quick call list.
2 clicks.
One hand.
Possibilities are endless.
I got another idea.
I sync my XDA over Bluetooth. But if I don't switch BT off after synchronizing the battery empties too fast.
Maybe you could write a script that starts BT every hour or so, starts and connects ActiveSync, waits for the synchronisation and closes again. That would be really helpfull

Tastbar skinning

Does anyone know of a program that allows you to skin the Taskbar? I have tried using Wisbar, but it uses too much memory and bogs down my system.
It would be great if there was a quicker program that used less memory. And I don't care about the other features Wisbar has, I just want to skin the Taskbar and the Start menu button.
I guess not!
mattucd said:
Does anyone know of a program that allows you to skin the Taskbar? I have tried using Wisbar, but it uses too much memory and bogs down my system.
It would be great if there was a quicker program that used less memory. And I don't care about the other features Wisbar has, I just want to skin the Taskbar and the Start menu button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it is the skinning that uses the memory and slows down the device.
None of the other features of Wisbar Advance 2 are memory-intensive at all.
Any application that skins your device will be a memory hog, period.
By taskbar, you mean the top bar right?
One kinda solution that isn't cpu intensive is to use my VJToggleToday II app (in alpha release right now though) to replace the start bar.
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V
vijay555 said:
By taskbar, you mean the top bar right?
One kinda solution that isn't cpu intensive is to use my VJToggleToday II app (in alpha release right now though) to replace the start bar.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, that looks ****ing sweet; I have been waiting with great anticipation for it ever since I first heard about it!
Is it skinnable?
VJToggleToday merely shifts the Today Screen, allowing you to show your today plugins through - so I'm using my PhoneAlarm skin at the top of the screen to adjunct the start bar.
I haven't worked on VJEphemeris or VJSihaya (the more 'evolved' version of the idea) for months - I wrote them both as a proof of concept idea, but since then I've decided to put off further development until I feel competent to tackle all of the things I want to put into it. Both are evidently (overly) skinnable.
I've been working on a new app for a while, it's completely innocent, just a simple text editor, but it's a testbed for features that I'm going to be using in my new apps (ie a new skinning engine and GUI). That's (realistically) coming soon.
V
vijay555... what other apps do you use on your today screen? The bottom half looks like you havea last call and last email displaying on your today, correct?
itesla: that's an old plugin I wrote once, but it's not been released yet. It's called VJEphemeris. I'm taking a break from it while I learn some new stuff, so that I can add the new features I want to it.
It does show missed calls and previews received SMSs etc. There are many hidden popup menus etc, but as I said, that'll all change in the final version, if and when I get around to finishing it!
V
Hey Vijay, I have been using your ToggleToday program in conjunction with PhoneAlarm. I really like it, but there are a couple things that I miss: the clock, and the OK button.
I was wondering, would it be possible for me to use one of those third-party button programs like MagicButton or vBar, and then move over the signal status?
For the clock, I wasn't sure if there was any possible solution, unless PhoneAlarm has a feature that allows you to display it.
I believe PhoneAlarm has a clock feature built in now, you can certainly edit the skin to include one.
I never use the ok button in the corner, I use VJOkButt 100% of the time, and that's compatible with 3rd party task managers that use the ok button.
I don't quite understand about "move over the signal status". How do you mean?
Something to consider, which I have't tried but should work, is to use a phonealarm skin with transparency - if you leave a gap in your phone alarm skin, where the original clock is - you might be able to allow the original "start bar" to shine through the gap...
But anyway, PhoneAlarm does have a clock feature, I believe.
V

Completely removing the System Tray

Howdy -
I am having difficultly *completely* removing my system tray. I get close by
"Removing the system tray just delete the init_tray.lnk from the windows\startup folder on your device and soft reset."
But I have one application, Intellisync Mobile Suite, that installs itself onto the system tray.
Stuck!
Searching the forums has left me high and dry.
Anyone figure out how to completely remove the system tray yet?
Try DciNoBar. A search of the forums will lead you to the thread with the download cab file
newbie2: Are you sure that works?
I tried it about one month ago for a similar problem (emoze), and it did not do the job. The active program icon for emoze forced the tray no matter what (not including Wisbar).
EDIT: I'll try DciNoBar again tomorrow and report back.
Yeah, I tried that, and vjtoggletodayiialpha.exe They didn't take care of the task tray....
I removed the init_tray from the Windows\Startup directory. (I actually cut and pasted it to the storage card for future use). Then, I installed DciNoBar to the Windows\Startup directory. This is what I got (see screenshot)
Yeah, but I have an app, Intellisync, that puts a icon on the task tray despite these programs/procuedures.
I can get close, but still end up with one icon.
I'm poking around the intellisync app and registry settings hoping I can find a way to turn that off...
VJToggleToday doesn't touch the tray. I ran out of time before finishing the app.
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I've got a few things to finish before looking at this app again. DciNoBar is the standard recommendation.
V
Thanks, V.
Looks like I'm out of luck.
It would be a great feature to build right into PhoneAlarm, actually.
I wonder if it's even possible, seeing as applications seem to be able to spawn a system tray icon all by themselves.
kayakpete: that's not quite the same concept. That's like saying that because I can eat sausages, surely I should be able to conjure the stuff of raw life with my bare hands.
Making tray icons is easy, standard API.
Removing the tray is not a standard OS supported feature, it requires some work in overriding the OS's expected functionality. Not particularly difficult work, but not standard nor associated in any way with the creation of those icons.
Or sausuages. I'm hungry, it's dinner time
V
PS I hope that Bruce doesn't add this feature to PhoneAlarm. PhoneAlarm is going the way of WisBar, bloat land. It's a beautiful app but hasn't worked well for me for some time. Bruce does a lot of great apps, so if he does it, better he makes it a free add-on, not part of the base code.
Mmmm... sausage....
Well, I'm not sure I follow your sausage-life analogy, but I'll go with it!
I was thinking that tray removal may night be a straight forward API/OS thing, and you have confirmed that.
And I totally agree with you. It would be a shame to see phonealarm suffer from bloat. There are several applications I simply won't run due to that very reason!
So I think the best idea is to pursue the possibility of getting my Intellisync application to NOT place a icon in the task tray.
Thanks again!
I long for a solution to this too... even changing the keys for KEEP and "reloadclient" to 0 does nothing... goes right back to one on the soft reboot. I'm ready to give up on this app altogether and find a replacement to manage my pim stuff wirelessly. That one icon takes up an obscene amount of my real estate.
Are you saying this is a specific problem with this app?
V

Any way to set background image for top/bottom bar w/o Wisbar or other apps?

Like the title says - is there any way or some small utility to apply background image for top and/or bottom bars? (I know You can't make them simply transparent).
I have tried Wisbar, rlToday etc, they are all either doing too much on the side, consuming way too much memory or just buggy. I've also searched this forum but as the bars have too many names (top bar, taskbar, menu bar, start bar etc.) I've come up with nothing really...
What I would like to achieve is something like this (image from ultimatelaunch.de):
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"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
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"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Please help.
i asked that before
it is another tool by the ultimate launch author called skinmobile:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1916467&postcount=28
OK, thanks!!!
I'll look into it later (or tomorrow) as I don't have my device with me atm. But it sure seems what I am looking for considering what I have seen and that it's small
you can also use vijay555's todayToggle to remove either or both of them, and just show the background image.
who really needs the bottom bar anyway, if someone can't remember what the two (big number) launches are, what are they doing playing around with ppcs?
it's a tiny exe (9.5kb) that you can leave in your windows\startup folder.
Then edit the registry to choose the size, the exe basically shrinks the bars to 2pixels but you can choose any size you want
Okay, thanks for the tip!!!
By the way - I've seen screenshots of taskbars with icons representing running applications just like in normal desktop PC. Besides MagicButton and WKTask and maybe Wisbar (not sure), are there any other apps (small) or registry hacks that do this? It seems that all these applications address a multiple changes in the system, I am trying to locate utilities that do just that one little thing - show running application icons on taskbar (next to start button).
i use wktask and set it to do absolutely nothing except show the running tasks.
it does'nt seem to me that it slows down or causes any problems
OK, thanks for the tip! Gone try it that way.
By the way Skinmobile is buggy on my WM6, so that app kind of sucks...
yes its a bit buggy but you can edit the ini file and graphics and try a bit around. i had it running without any problems on wm6.1
Naah, I'll just leave it to that and wait for better apps. The "see-thru" effect isn't worth it, if its buggy. For me at least. The buggyness seems to appear when I click on any of the taskbar icons. Although I didn't do a soft reset after running the prog. Should have I done it? Would it change anything?

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