[2008-02-03] FTouchSL released! (former FTouchFlo) - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

Dear friends,
We are very happy to announce that FTouchSL (former FTouchFlo) officially released!
You can find it at the FTouchSL web-site: www.ftouchsl.com
At the moment FTouchSL available in 2 versions: trial and full. Yes, you understand right - it is not a freeware application anymore. We had to choose this way because otherwise we would need to stop development.
FTouchSL development team worked hard last few months and we believe you will like new Product available on the xDA software market.
With best regards,
FTouchSL development team.

WOW..so cool thanx alot..will try first

If anybody deserves to make money off software its efrost. What does the 'F' in FTouchFlo stand for? Ive always been curious,the possibilities are endless.....

Just ordered my copy. A note: maybe include in the website how we get it once we pay, I'm not sure if you're e-mailing it, or do I receive a key? Thanks.
Also note: I would suggest to you Efrost, maybe upload some of those videos here, that's what convinced me to buy, they look amazing.
**edit
My little review
I found the trial version very difficult to use between the popups. I was having a problem where *I think* then when I would set Up-Down to "minimize" it would freeze up and disable the "the Enable FTouchSL" checkbox and I couldn't find a way (using keyboard and hardkeys) to re-check the box (since windows touch was disabled): I think there needs to be a way to check and uncheck this using hardkeys.
with that being said:
I love the plugins. "Slide to lock" works great - You can assign Down-Up to lock, Updown to Minimize, Left-right to rotate screeen
It is a little harder to scroll a few lines at a top, you need to "chop" more, little chops with your finger otherwise teh kinetic scroll takes over and it scrolls too much, it's just a matter of getting used to it. Great product ,I recommend.

Hello!
Thank you for your order!
Please provide us (by e-mail) with your device identifier which you can find in the About box in the FTouchSL configuration utility.
You'll get your license key immediately by e-mail!
Best regards,
efrost
elgreek84 said:
Just ordered my copy. A note: maybe include in the website how we get it once we pay, I'm not sure if you're e-mailing it, or do I receive a key? Thanks.
Also note: I would suggest to you Efrost, maybe upload some of those videos here, that's what convinced me to buy, they look amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I somewhat had a feeling it will go commercial. And since it was a very good program I am not surprised. If you need help localizing it/or product webpage into Czech (just kidding ) or Slovak language, let me know.

first view, on the videos, it seems nicer than ftouchflo...is there any exclude config file for Apps you dont want FtouchSL to scroll ?

cAnArdtichAud said:
first view, on the videos, it seems nicer than ftouchflo...is there any exclude config file for Apps you dont want FtouchSL to scroll ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Please look at the "Product info" page. It is possible to configure FTouchSL for particular applications: you can completely turn off FTouchSL, disable scrolling, disable launching, disable active corners or set up different actions.
Best regards,
efrost

KarhU said:
If you need help localizing it/or product webpage into Czech (just kidding ) or Slovak language, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello! Thanks a lot!
Best regards,
efrost

Hello, guys! I need an answer! This aplication will be change the default TouchFlo app on HTC Touch, won't it?

Beaumont said:
Hello, guys! I need an answer! This aplication will be change the default TouchFlo app on HTC Touch, won't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
There are options: you can disable original TouchFLO if you want or you can disable FTouchSL scrolling function and use original TouchFLO.
Best regards,
efrost

Just downloaded the trial... Latter I´m going to install and play with it!

I never tried this before so I loaded FTouchFlo on my att 8925. Original ROM on the phone. It locks up randomly and never did that before. Does FTouchSL work differently? I disabled TouchFlo to run FTouchFlo.
By the way, props to you for this, whether or not it works on my phone.

Eric29 said:
I never tried this before so I loaded FTouchFlo on my att 8925. Original ROM on the phone. It locks up randomly and never did that before. Does FTouchSL work differently? I disabled TouchFlo to run FTouchFlo.
By the way, props to you for this, whether or not it works on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Last few months we were improving the engine and fixing bugs. I hope you'll not have locks!
Best regards,
efrost

What I think about this...
Think I'm one of the few privileged 'early bird' who get to test out this greatly improved version of FTouchFlo by efrost! Most of us here at xda-developers are no stranger to FTouchFlo, as well as EfrostMinimize, two great programs which made our experience in using our PPC a much pleasant one.
For those who don't quite know about FTouchFlo, in essence, FTouchFlo allows PPC users to perform scrolling without using the default tiny scroll bar that comes with WM OS. It also allows user to append different programme (for the 4 directions - up, down left & right) which will be launched by the swiping gesture of one's finger on the PPC screen.
FTouchSL has brought the above functions to yet another level. Check their official website - www.ftouchsl.com for the details. As I was greatly 'blessed' by this application, I thought I should share with all my take of & experience in using this software. Hopefully for those who are still wondering what this is or contemplating on getting it will find my 'sharing' helpful.
Quick Start Tutorial
I find the 'Quick Start Tutorial', put together by efrost and team to guide users (especially those who are totally new) through all the functions of FTouchSL, was very well done and useful. It will launch after the installation. Try not to skip it.
Scrolling
The scrolling under FTouchSL is much better than FTouchFlo, especially with the newly added kinetic function (like the one in PocketCM and iContact), which is a nice touch to the scrolling effect, and making scrolling through long pages (e.g. Contact listing) a breeze.
In addition, you can freely roam about a big page (e.g. web page) by keeping your finger on the screen and just move around in the direction you want, horizontally, diagonally etc.
Gestures
Instead of just launching application/files, now user can also launch plug-in (e.g. Minimize, Suspend, Soft reset, etc) and send keys (feature that simulate key press of D-Pad) for the four directions!
Active Corners
This is something new, not found in FTouchFlo. Basically, one can assign applications/functions to be launched at the 4 corners, just like gesture.
Setting Panel
Setting Penal has all the features clearly listed, with nicely drawn icons which makes it clear which feature it is, at one glance. A picture does speak a thousand words!
You can really tell efrost and team put in a lot of effort to make the Setting Panel user-friendly. You can actually see the 'zone' (colored) which you can customize for gesture and active corners, and not just trying to second guess how big 40 x 40 pixels is!!
Configuration
Personally, I find the ability to configure (in depth!) the various features display how much improvements was done to FTouchSL as compared to FTouchFlo.
You can customize the delay time for scrolling, gesture and active corners i.e. how long your finger need to be in contact with the screen for 'scrolling/ gesture/active corners' function to kick in. I prefer 300 milliseconds (ms) for gesture instead of the 500ms, and a shorter 600 or 800ms for active corner, rather than 1000ms. Then again, this is really individual preference.
As mentioned earlier, you can also customize how big the 'zone' for gesture and active corners. For users with bigger fingers like me, we may want to increase from 40 pixels to say 50. Oh yes, the zone need not be symmetrical.
Exclusion
Ok, here's the most exciting bit - Exclusion. While FTouchFlo allows you to exclude applications from using FTouchFlo, FTouchSL allows more than that. You can actually customize, for those applications which may not require FTouchSL (thus you want to include them in Exclusion list), which feature to be excluded. Meaning, do you want to exclude everything, or just the scrolling, with gesture and active corners enabled, etc. Interesting right!? Wait, there is more!
You can actually choose which gesture and corner to be enabled!! And you can also customize a different set (from the main one) of actions/applications to be activated by gesture/active corners for each and every application!! So, FTouchSL can be set to launch different applications for the Down-Up swipe gesture for Inbox, ereader etc. just an example!
efrost has shared a good one - customize left and right gesture to activate send key 'left' and 'right' in tmail. When you are in your Inbox, you can switch to from SMS to MMS to Outlook, etc by just swiping left and right!
Think the possibilities are only constrained by one's imagination. Do share with us if you find some combinations to be really good!
Some Possible Enhancements
I also notice some possible enhancements (mostly cosmetic and presentation, rather than functionality) which efrost and team can consider.
1) The Setting Panel is a bit too small for my rather big finger. Making it bigger would be nice. My preference goes to something like the Config Panel for S2U2.
2) Also, the inverted triangle for the drop down list panel for customizing actions for gesture and active corner is a bit too close to the right edge for comfort use.
3) More write-up/description for each item in the Setting Panel would be helpful I think, especially for new users.
E.g. Instead of just a word 'Delay', how about a short line saying 'The time you need to press on the screen'.
4) Personally, I would like to see a 'cooler' icon for this product.
So far I have no problem using this application on my Trinity. Doesn't lock up my device nor causing it any problem after using it for days. If you're still hesitant or doubtful about how good this application is, just give it a try and I believe most of us will not regret paying a small sum for such a great improvement FTouchSL does to our experience in using our PPC!
Sian

thanks so much for developing such a good s/w for us.
going for trial fisrt!!!

Much respect for your hard work efrost! I will definitely purchase a copy.

Paid for and happy I did!
Here's my support mate!
Receipt ID: 2VG90842GH7292327
Many Thanks!

Here is my thanks to efrost for having me appreciate authors more on maintaining freeware through all stages of developement and final builds. I LOVE YOU ALL PointUI team, and especially Tene for pocketCM you are truely the support of XDA community.
Edit: BTW before any flames start, I thought I would point out that this is not to be taken in a negative view. Just awed on how they are able to maintaine thier life to something with keeping a finacial status a float?? Maybe someone can put these in better words.
Thanks.

efrost said:
Hello!
Last few months we were improving the engine and fixing bugs. I hope you'll not have locks!
Best regards,
efrost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it didn't work for my Trinity! Ftouchflo was super stable. FTouchSL freezes it every minute. Had to disable FTouchSL after 5 frustrating minutes...

Related

[NO MORE IN DEV 07/31/200] ContactManager 0.11 - Another try for "finger friendly"...

[NO MORE IN DEV 07/31/200] ContactManager 0.11 - Another try for "finger friendly"...
ContactManager is no more developped, please use the new native version. You can get more information here
ContactManager 0.11
What it does:
- "classic" finger scrolling
- tapping the contact make appear a screen with contact info (photo, name, phone, sms and mail). Selecting one option launch the default compose dialog or make the call. You can also change the contact picture from the detail directly.
- display contact photo if present (in the list and the contact detail).
What's different:
- if you press you finger on the left or right border of the screen it will allow you to select the letter you're searching for, release the finger, it will show you the contact starting with this letter. For me that's the way to go in touch interface: release should trigger the event, push should only provide visual feedback, I'd like a visual kb like this.
- the contact detail is not the standard one, you can show only the information you want (and it's animated .
- the list is animated (scrolling) and the transition between list and detail also.
Settings file:
There is an .ini file that you can create in the directory where the program reside. It contains color, font and image settings. See the setting.ini provided in the zip file.
To install, copy the unzipped file to your ppc and run it. Should be enough. Tested on WM6 only, apparently it also run on WM5. Sorry for 2003 owner, as I don't have such device, I'm unable to test.
Please inform me, before publishing this app on any other website... (a mail to qpouplard // gmail.com will be enough). I'm not against it at all, but I'd like to know it.
What's new? (0.11)
- Localization support
- Bug fixes
- Updated default theme
- Setting to adjust image position
- Multiline information are supported
- Memory optimization
How to use localization??
Copy "lang.fr.ini", adapt the file to your need, change "fr" to your PDA country ISO name. (fr for France, sp for Spain, de for Germany, etc...).
I'll provide localization soon.
What's new? (0.10)
- Gesture: you can slide you finger from right to left or right to left, it will go act like the lower left softkey.
- Bug fixes: app crashing while deleting contact
- New virtual contact: at the end of the list you have a new contact, tap on it to create a new
- New default theme inspired from the Touch
- New settings to adjust contact detail information
To download version 0.11 please go to the brand new ContactManager website: http://www.pocketcm.com.
Please always link to my website, do not provide binary yourself. I'm clearly trying to bring some traffic to my website... so I can continue to develop for free.
You like this application? I've put some time developping this application, it also take me lot of time to take all your valuable comments into account. I'm doing mostly for technical challenge and fun, but ... any donation is appreciated (even the small one) (and will motivate me to continue the development as a freeware), please use this link
Feature to come:
- Native version (who read this? )
- Sync with MyOE contact (http://myoedev.blogspot.com)
- (maybe) compose sms from the application, mainly to allow me to test with SIP method using C# and not C++.
- Setup/packaging integration on the Touch (cube, dialer, etc...).
Download ContactManager 0.11
Thanks- this is a very nice version- I like it.
One suggestion- can the A-Z letter can be another colour- ie colour RED ( or user defined) ... Well done !!!
very nice job and I had the same idea for show contacts for my new iMedia continue to work with it, it's going very nice...
btw some things to adjust :
- scroll isn't very good yet
- left index is too much on the left (
- characters are very ugly on my device
pl55, I'll think about adding some options On the other side, if one of you feel like an artist, feel free to propose something!
Guybrush, can you elaborate what's wrong about scrolling (I mean I agree with you, but on the other side, I have a smartphone for 5 days now... I don't have lot of experience about what's "good" or "bad").
You want left index to be longer? for now it's 26 pixels, maybe 30 will do the job?
Related to the ugliness or character, can you post a screenshot? I only have an HTC touch to test (and the emulator).
that's a screen as appear on my device... about left index look screenshot of my SSContact, i think it's good like that... Scrolling is slow... and not fluid... don't give me good feelings.
I've have a little problem, I can call using the Call button, but the send Sms button doing nothing ....
hi,tene
Very nice work,it looks good by adding contact photo and the idea of side contact to call or to send SMS.
The alpha.index is working but as the application is to be used by finger so it is very difficult to use this index by finger.
Second thing is the scrolling is heavy not fluid,the best i think to scroll is icontact of Larna ,it scrolls very nice.
So keep it up and we all wait for another release with fixed bugs.
thanks
pl55, do you have configured anything specific for SMS? WM5 or 6? I'm using "standard" CF function to start the compose SMS stuff.
myRIGHT: regarding performance, what PPC are you using? How many contact do you have? (I have like 100 on mine). How is the sliding to contact detail going? (it's important, if sliding is bad, I'll have to think about a totally different method).
For the alpha index, my idea was exactly to make it usable by finger: its very hard to point to the right letter, but it's rather easy to move your finger to the right position, so the idea is: tap anywhere on left (or right) part of the screen, and move your finger until you're on the right letter, then remove the finger, that's it. That's also why you get a visual feedback (ugly for now, will look better soon).
Wow this looks promising! Good work! Here are my thoughts:
Like MyRIGHT said, I feel the scrolling in larna's icontact is perfect, so if you could get that kind of feel it would be great!
For now though the biggest thing bugging me is the way it sorts the names, File As always seems the prefered way (again like in larna's icontact). If you could fix this I would definitaly use this instead of icontacts!
Good job on the abc index too, maybe you can make the "area" on the right hand side of the screen a little wider (thumb width )
Maybe you could also make the letter that shows up in the middle of the screen more obvious (coloured background or so).
I like how you can you use the virtual keyboard to jump to the first letter!
I LOVE the way the screen slides to the left when you click on a name. It's a lot faster than waiting for the "default" screen to show up too! Maybe the screen that comes in can look a little better like you said though.
The bottom buttons (search and new) don't seem to do anything, but maybe you havent gotten around to that yet. Maybe you could have the app fullscreen and have 4 buttons at the bottom which launch speed dial, call history, the keypad and new contact or so ?
It's also interesting how the d-pad always scrolls all the way to the top of the list no matter what button you press
Hope this might help you and I hope I don't come across as someone who can only complain, this is a really nice app!
tene said:
pl55, do you have configured anything specific for SMS? WM5 or 6? I'm using "standard" CF function to start the compose SMS stuff.
myRIGHT: regarding performance, what PPC are you using? How many contact do you have? (I have like 100 on mine). How is the sliding to contact detail going? (it's important, if sliding is bad, I'll have to think about a totally different method).
For the alpha index, my idea was exactly to make it usable by finger: its very hard to point to the right letter, but it's rather easy to move your finger to the right position, so the idea is: tap anywhere on left (or right) part of the screen, and move your finger until you're on the right letter, then remove the finger, that's it. That's also why you get a visual feedback (ugly for now, will look better soon).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My apologies, the SMS send button work fine, it's just take a while to load up. . With my Hermes and WM6 - I like the speed of scrolling it's just feel right - ( just like larna's icontact) .
I've to agreed with others, the A_Z index is so tiny, may be if it can be triggered wih another screen A_Z ( more like the contact detail but appear from the left side this will make finger buttom easier).
It's very very nice, but it can't be displayedcorrect om a htc universal (vga screen). If you could make a vga layout it would be perfect...
I think if the scrolling spped and a few graphics were added it would be great! i am a graphics artest, tell me the size and format of the images for things like the letters on the side and i can cook somthing up for u
Hi atomicshockwave,
For now I don't use image, only drawing text, however I'd like to have:
- A correct layout for contact detail (I can extract something from a mockup, for instance, you draw a beautiful sample for a given contact, and I'll try to integrate it).
- An image for the preview letter from the A_Z, something like a bubble pointing to the letter.
Regarding the size, the A_Z is 10*320, each contact is 220 * 32. For the contact detail, it just has to fill the screen.
Apparently it maybe great to think about VGA devices, I don't have one, but I suppose I can use the emulator (however, I fear performance would suffer).
Working on a new version... will update soon.
Hi Tene,
Great and useful App ! it run smoothly and scrolling speed is acceptable on my Hermes with WM6. Only 3 things i noticed that need enhancement:
1) contactmanager can't be minimized with the 'ok' button on Hermes, closing it tapping the 'X' works.
2) If the contact saved phone number in 'work tel', it wouldn't be displayed with your contactmanager (list and detail)
3) the 'new' and 'search' softkey is not responding ?
btw, scrolling at the border for first letter is really useful UI
> 1) contactmanager can't be minimized with the 'ok' button on Hermes, closing it tapping the 'X' works.
Is it something special to your device? (my problem, as a newbe with smartphone, I've no idea what you're talking about)
Regarding work tel, I added work tel to the list of phone number he tries to find, but I really should handle various phone number.
For the new and search, I just put them "for testing", they do nothing... but my question is: what button would be actually usefull?
tene said:
> 1) contactmanager can't be minimized with the 'ok' button on Hermes, closing it tapping the 'X' works.
Is it something special to your device? (my problem, as a newbe with smartphone, I've no idea what you're talking about)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has a 'OK' button (most PPC phone has this button) to minimise the app (running in memory but hidden from the screen) instead of closing, it would be good if contactmanager can be minimised.
maybe a Exit softkey button would be useful instead of 'search'
Now see I like the scrolling MUCH better in this than iContact. It might be able to slow down a bit slower but the speed that it maxes out at is good. In iContact, sometimes when I scroll it goes too fast or straight to the bottom of the contact list. That is pretty fast given that I have 100 contacts.
My only issue is that there is only one number shown (which you pointed out), and that the search and new buttons are not functional. This is a big pain with the iContact app... no ability to add a new one. I am on the CUSTEL Ultimate WM6 ROM. This is a great foundation for a contacts app!
how do I update my .net compact framework? Says mine sucks.. errr out of date? Im running a treo 750
fffizzz said:
how do I update my .net compact framework? Says mine sucks.. errr out of date? Im running a treo 750
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try that: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...2F-07B5-4A8C-8A44-B4E1B196D5C0&displaylang=en
But I've no idea if my app works on a Treo.
There is also some funkiness going on with the scroll wheel on the 8525. If you move it the contact goes straight to A and then the screen is unresponsive for a bit to finger scrolling.

New Applauncher idea

http://cre.ations.net/creation/dock
I was Digg'ing when I saw this little app. Can we do it so that it works on PPC and with any app and any launch icon (png preferably?)
The source code is in there... so this should be easy?
dferreira said:
http://cre.ations.net/creation/dock
I was Digg'ing when I saw this little app. Can we do it so that it works on PPC and with any app and any launch icon (png preferably?)
The source code is in there... so this should be easy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice !!!
Notice how fast it goes and no lagging
i wish someone can create a today plugin like this.. or a window based launcher.. i hate full screen apps..
it's possible to download it for my htc elf (wm06)
naillik said:
it's possible to download it for my htc elf (wm06)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, it won't work in any device except the iphone..
we are here to request some very good hearted and generous WM programmer to maybe find some time to create a similar application..
all other platforms are making very big leaps in terms of Menu Handling and Graphic User Interfaces.. these features makes or breaks a Platform's sales.. especially to those who are thinking of switching...
too bad Windows Mobile's base GUI is a decade behind the others..
so pleaaase.. pretty please? can someone look into making this? i may sound pathetic but if this is all i can do to make this slick launcher come to WM doorsteps and i'm willing to do more..
ytsejam_ said:
no, it won't work in any device except the iphone..
we are here to request some very good hearted and generous WM programmer to maybe find some time to create a similar application..
all other platforms are making very big leaps in terms of Menu Handling and Graphic User Interfaces.. these features makes or breaks a Platform's sales.. especially to those who are thinking of switching...
too bad Windows Mobile's base GUI is a decade behind the others..
so pleaaase.. pretty please? can someone look into making this? i may sound pathetic but if this is all i can do to make this slick launcher come to WM doorsteps and i'm willing to do more..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the other side, if it's just eyecandy, it's almost worthless.
I'm not convinced that this kind of GUI is really useful: one precise tap to move, maybe more, then on tap to launch. It appears to me that it's more efficient that one tap bring a menu, or like in PCM keyboard, one tap, 250ms later you can choose the right option.
tene said:
On the other side, if it's just eyecandy, it's almost worthless.
I'm not convinced that this kind of GUI is really useful: one precise tap to move, maybe more, then on tap to launch. It appears to me that it's more efficient that one tap bring a menu, or like in PCM keyboard, one tap, 250ms later you can choose the right option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes that's what i am aiming at.. maybe we could have a launcher icon that when you tap and hold, brings up a new set of icons, etc.. IMHO this is better that having bunch of little non-appealing tabs to click on, then click again to launch an app..
also, this GUI is more than of a today screen material for it displays a lot of shortcuts in one line, meaning more space left on today screen real estate.. so if you have a lot of shortcuts on your today screen, you don't have to fill the entire screen with icons or reduce the icon size to fit em all.. don't we all hate scroll bars on our today screen? with this, all you need to do is do a horizontal scroll (or maybe move D-pad left or right) to focus the offscreen shortcuts.. far better than tabbed launchers IMHO.. besides, finger scrolling is now easy to do and common to most new Devices due to Touch based ROMS..
Have you seen the MRU (Most Recent Apps) plugin on our WM Smartphones? this is the same concept, except that it launches specific shortcuts instead of shuffled apps, and navigation is controlled by a swipe movement..
Menu-based Launcher already exists
If you want to press a button to bring up a menu of icons, that already exists. Check out WM5NewMenu by saman-cz (this forum). It started off as a shortcut to add a new appointment or contact, but evolved into a program launcher with some really neat capability like nested menus and shortcuts for speeddial. Doesn't have icons though, just shortcut name (prob keeps the memory smaller).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=255580
I'd still be interested in a horizontal scroller for frequently used apps to replace cLaunch on the today screen if anyone can take that on...
tene said:
On the other side, if it's just eyecandy, it's almost worthless.
I'm not convinced that this kind of GUI is really useful: one precise tap to move, maybe more, then on tap to launch. It appears to me that it's more efficient that one tap bring a menu, or like in PCM keyboard, one tap, 250ms later you can choose the right option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tene I think your PocketCM is the general idea, instead of contact list and vertical scrolling you could make it shortcut list and horizontal scrolling.
Hello,
I lwould like to have an AppLauncher similar to the MacOSX bar.
in bottom U have small icons, if U are hove on one it becomes bigger and on releasing it, a Menu slides in the screen.
Im already trying to code such an app, in native C++.
But for a first Release ( just showing the GUI ) it' ll takes still a little time.
I have not so much in moment ( studying?!, moving into another house... ), also its my first Programm using the winapi....
So wish me luck....

(found) Cascaded programs-only menu

(edit) Quickmenu in english is out !
Hola amigos, since I don't use wisbar anymore I'd love to find such a launcher.
I want cascaded, direct access to the (initially submenu) programs list
I don't need to have recent apps or settings (builtin start menu already does the job quite well).
Cubes are useless to me (too slow, uncomplete lists, don't use the contacts fav. page)
Do you know something like that, or is it still to develop ?
Would you like it as well ?
And at last, does someone know how to make a shortcut that launch builtin start menu ?
Thanks for reading !
SmallMenu seems to be the perfect candidate for you. the start menu that SmallMenu uses is customizable, so you can take out the Recent Programs and Settings as you wish, as well as adding other items such as Running Tasks or Task Management Tools, among other things.
or WisBar Lite.
Thanks for your answers, I just tried both of them:
Wisbar lite is too slow at scrolling application list and can't directly display programs (one need to open the programs submenu).
SmallMenu is really cool. It's uglish, but it does its job well.
I may write another launcher to fit exactly what I need with a better look.
Meanwhile, thank you for the hint !
So, what you want is a pretty SmallMenu? How pretty you want it to be? I mean.. er.. care for a photoshopped of what you are having in mind?
Ok, I just played a bit more with SmallMenu & it's almost perfect.
Actually, I'm member of the Ban-The-Stylus association
Above all I want bigger buttons (I should have mentionned it before), for easy thumb operation.
Also a better look would be nice.
So I need a bigger font (that looks better), separators between each row and a gradient background for each row as well.
The ability to have running tasks displayed in a submenu is also great, and so would be the closing icon if it was, once more, bigger.
Or much better, if we could close the application with tap 'n hold !
I'd be glad to purchase if that wishlist is fulfilled, the problem is, I can't even find a Contact link on their homepage, while the development seems active. Weird.
Do you have an idea how to contact them ?
Small menu is great and all. But isnt there any program out there that can cascade the start menu and dosent give you all the extra stuff thats in small menu and wisebar lite?
I just want a program that cascades the start menu. no task manger, no soft reset, no battery meter and so on....
KidGixxer said:
Small menu is great and all. But isnt there any program out there that can cascade the start menu and dosent give you all the extra stuff thats in small menu ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable them. I don't think your concern is about 20/30kb storage space ?
I've been using SmallMenuPlus for a few months and find it too useful to be without. Organize your programs into like directories and it's too easy.
With it being an execute file you can link it to a hard button, cube, shortcut or even a FTouchFlo launch swipe
Now I have no use for the default WM Start bar except to get into Settings (SmallMenu seems to forget where this is on every S/R).
I have no problem navigating and selecting with my thumb, although slightly larger icons wouldn't be rejected.
Taping the small icon in the top left corner can be hit-and-miss sometimes so I made my own larger one and select it with the 'Use external skin for start button' option. This way I can't miss it but still leave a little room to get the default Start bar if I need to. Make your icon 25 high and any width, mine is 42x25.
No one is aware how to contact Small Menu authors ?
Do we get an email address to contact them when we register ?
I'd like to see if they can do something about my requests before I register.... but no forum, no contact form, no email, too bad
alternatively you could try psw indibar 2.7.0 for cascading menus, (have tried the lot and to me, this one's the keeper), and it tops up by giving ram and or battery meters on the top bar, or anywhere you want.
Customization is a pain in the beginning, but once done you;ll be happy
www.apoxsoft.com
lastnikita said:
No one is aware how to contact Small Menu authors ?
Do we get an email address to contact them when we register ?
I'd like to see if they can do something about my requests before I register.... but no forum, no contact form, no email, too bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try [email protected]
how about "quick menu"... a totally free cascading menu supporting today themes without handicaping the original today menu....the only problem is...only simplified chinese version is available....
http://www.yonsm.net/read.php?358&page=6
note: the latest version is 2.7 which was released on 22/10
by the way, this is his email address: [email protected] egg on him to release an english version if you like quick menu as i do^^
Thanks a lot for both suggestion and contact link, I'll give them a try later tonight !
I have sent a mail to that guy. His other software is in english so I think we have a chance.
iiiox said:
how about "quick menu"... a totally free cascading menu supporting today themes without handicaping the original today menu....the only problem is...only simplified chinese version is available....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm giving up on trying it, too lazy ^^
Does it support font customization (size) ?
Lastnikita,
This is something I am very interested in, if that gives you any motivation.
I too used to use Wisbar but it was far too hit and miss for my liking. Sometimes it would load in, sometimes not. It all depended on teh theme in use at the time as it was sensitive to some, not sensitive to others. In the end I pulled it.
Will keep a watching brief on this thread to see how you get on.
Cheers
WB
iiiox said:
how about "quick menu"... a totally free cascading menu supporting today themes without handicaping the original today menu....the only problem is...only simplified chinese version is available....
http://www.yonsm.net/read.php?358&page=6
note: the latest version is 2.7 which was released on 22/10
by the way, this is his email address: [email protected] egg on him to release an english version if you like quick menu as i do^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yea this program rocks. I searched around for QuickMenu 2.6. from what i found out, he is working on an english version but having problems.
wacky.banana said:
I too used to use Wisbar but it was far too hit and miss for my liking. Sometimes it would load in, sometimes not. It all depended on teh theme in use at the time as it was sensitive to some, not sensitive to others. In the end I pulled it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to sound like a commercial but if plain old vanilla cascading start menu is what you want then why not use WA3 with the default theme which looks pretty much like the WM6 default and disable all the bells and whistles?
I've never heard of a case where the default theme wouldn't load -- it was usually the fancy aftermarket themes that added all of the extra graphics and sounds that caused the loading problems.
can't you just use wm5newmenu?

Slide2Gesture?

Maybe this has been discussed before but no one tried to develop the idea.
well instead of S2U, i prefer to have a gesture that i choose to unlock the device... so no one can unlock it other than I... if im dont have these programming skills
anyone is able to do it?! it can be a modified version of A_C's S2U2...
karim099 said:
Maybe this has been discussed before but no one tried to develop the idea.
well instead of S2U, i prefer to have a gesture that i choose to unlock the device... so no one can unlock it other than I... if im dont have these programming skills
anyone is able to do it?! it can be a modified version of A_C's S2U2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha! Shouldn't that been called Gesture2Unlock?
johanromijn said:
Hahaha! Shouldn't that been called Gesture2Unlock?
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Click to collapse
whatever G2U ...
I like the idea of this
Cool thinkin...
No passworded needed, just a gesture.
Someone needs to copy the Microsoft Origami thingy where you unlock by tapping a certain sequence on a picture of your choice, with more security gained by moving to a smaller grid size.
ell, honestly, if you delete the images from your S2U2 directory, that should accomplish the same thing. You would just have to remember where to slide from. Or use your DPAD.
lawmangrant, i think you're missing a handy side-effect of having G2U: you can still view the today screen. I imagine that you can view the today screen, but not be able to do anything until you gesture. If anyone uses PointUI, it's kinda like the builtin lock. You see the main screen until you tap, upon which the lock screen comes up. It's pretty nice (personally use s2u2 instead) but G2U has potential uses.
It's a good idea, especially if you don't have the instructions right on the screen, it's a good locker to keep people out of your phone.
It should be Gesture2Unlock (or G2U for short) and it was discussed in the Kaiser forum here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=362231&highlight=gesture
A_C, the author or S2U2 was contacted, but he didn't think he could do it, as you can see from the thread...
I still like the idea.
I have a program in mind that does exactly what you want...
hm.. not exactly...
you have to tap to 4 or 5 different points on your touchscreen to unlock your phone...
but I don´t know the name at the moment....
I´ll try to find it....
This is a great idea.......
strange !!! walking down the street today i had this exact thought
may be some day!!!!
This was good, but doesnt work anymore...
http://softava.com/archive/pp/otp_features.html#
interesting. Would be very similair to taking a biometric of a persons signature. presumably tho one wouldn't want the signature to be drawn as you gesture2unlock, but instead "draw" onto an invisible notepad.
its no easy process (have researched biometrics) as the important part if the learning/recognition algorythm which will probably involve some neural network coding (ouch but fun).
What you need is something like this!!!
http://bip.golana.pub.ro/~mmihai/sign/index.html.
I've emailed Mihail about this (the author), pointing him to this post. I will post his reply as soon as it arrives.
Here's my email:
Dear Mihail,
I came across your website whilst looking for clues as to how we might implement a fellow forum contributor’s idea on xda-developers.com (here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=370632&page=2)
His idea was to unlock a pda using a gesture on the touch screen. To my mind that mean signature which lead me to search for some algorithms on the net. Your implementation was particularly interesting as it seems quick to operate, has low memory footprint and could work on a low spec machine (such are many pda’s).
I was wondering if you implemented such a system, or if the algorithm you have developed has been release for others to use, commercially or non-profit.
Your input into the discussion would be highly valuable.
Best wishes
Sean
lawmangrant said:
ell, honestly, if you delete the images from your S2U2 directory, that should accomplish the same thing. You would just have to remember where to slide from. Or use your DPAD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Azimuth21 said:
lawmangrant, i think you're missing a handy side-effect of having G2U: you can still view the today screen. I imagine that you can view the today screen, but not be able to do anything until you gesture. If anyone uses PointUI, it's kinda like the builtin lock. You see the main screen until you tap, upon which the lock screen comes up. It's pretty nice (personally use s2u2 instead) but G2U has potential uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see pluses and minuses to this approach as opposed to using s2u2 with the deleted slide graphics.
If you want true privacy when someone picks up your phone, you wouldn't really want them to see your today screen especially if it contains appointment and tasks info, etc. That's where I think using a modified s2u2 would be better.
If you don't have appointment info on your screen or nothing that is "dynamic" or constantly changing except the clock, then you could skin s2u2 to "match" your today screen and place the clock exactly where it is on your today screen. For example if you have HTC home as your today screen, you can skin s2u2 clock to match the position and font as HTC home and then take a screenshot and modify it to a wallpaper, cutting out the clock par. The tricky part is the missed call and sms counter. S2u2 has the potential to disply that info but to replicate that look of htc home would require major changes, probably requiring A_C's help?
Of course if our devices had the horsepower, we could modify s2u2 to just take the screenshot of the today screen and load it as a wallpaper everytime it starts up, maybe a mortscript, but it would probably would be too slow realistically.
Im glad that u liked the idea... A_C said that he doesnt have the skills to do it.. but im sure he can help...
i don't mind if the appointments info appears on the screen, but i prefer no one can access all other applications... typing a password takes time... especially when activated side by side with S2U2...
Why a signature recognition? How about a gesture system like the one found in firefox plugins:
https://addons.mozilla.org/pl/firefox/addon/39
https://addons.mozilla.org/pl/firefox/addon/12
They're based on eight directions - four sideways and four diagonal.
Directions are defined as:
U - up
D - down
L - left
R - right
7 - up/left
9 - up/right
1 - down/left
3 - down/right
So to program a gesture you just need to input the directions of strokes it consists of.
For example URDL would mean drawing a rectangle starting from bottom left, and then going up, right, down, left. You can also describe more complicated gestures that way - R2D1L7U9R would mean drawing a circle starting from its top point and moving right.
In my opinion biometric algorithms don't make much sense, since they would need a styluys to work - try to draw your signature using a finger
Simplified gestures should work with finger as well as stylus, and should still provide more than enough security.
Great minds think alike.
What I wanted was a way to use touch to unlock the device very easily without it being easy to copy. I also wanted data to be safe should the device be reset.
I thought of using the standard S2U and just using a skin which didn't make it clear how to unlock so as to deter casual snoops.
There must be a way to do this! If no-one comes up with something soon then I'll dust off my programming books and give it a try.
the new Ftouch Flo a.k.a FtouchSL has some new gesturing features ( like corners )..maybe this would be useful

Slide function replacing original MS scroll bar?

Is there a hack to replace native WinCE behavior on scrolling down with an iPhone like one?
Yes. I am aware there are lots of frontend applications like iContact etc. enabling iPhone look and feel. It is not what I really want. All the applications is a patchwork. It is heavy on resources, slow and basically disintegrated. Many applications are in development and lack of vital functions.
I am happy with the application set I currently have. It is stable, familiar and a-finger-operated. The only thing I miss is scrolling down like iPhone provides. One has to get stylus to scroll a scroll bar down/up.
Is there an option to replace the MS OS native library responsible for scrolling by a hacked one, which tracks the sliding finger behavior? (I am now with WM5)
if you use any ROM with TouchFlow, you'll propably forget about the scroll bars in most of the applications...
there is another programs, like FTouchFlo, which replicate the behavior of TouchFlow, with some add ons of course... you might want to check as well...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=338143
another thing you can do to get rid of the scroll bar (well most of it) is to change it's size to 1 pixel in width... so if you find your self in a situation where you really need the scoll bar, you just get the styus out and drag it on the edge of your screen....
I hope this will help....
duke911 said:
FTouchFlo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tested FTouchSL2.5. It works with limited success. For example it doesn't support MT Software TodayAgenda. Also the application side launch works bad. The function seems to be heavy on computation power and competes with today or requires a hard push and doesn't work with gentle gestures.
Is there aby option to post-update ROM with TouchFlow? How reliable the TouchFlow is?
kot_as_kot said:
I've tested FTouchSL2.5. It works with limited success. For example it doesn't support MT Software TodayAgenda. Also the application side launch works bad. The function seems to be heavy on computation power and competes with today or requires a hard push and doesn't work with gentle gestures.
Is there aby option to post-update ROM with TouchFlow? How reliable the TouchFlow is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Did you include some of those programmes to the exclusion list? Cos' some application comes with slide function on its own which may not work well with FTouchSL activated for it.
Also, you can configure the delay time for a gesture to work. If you like to use just a 'gentle' touch / slide to generate a quick response, try to set the delay to smaller value, e.g. 200 ms. etc.
I've no problem using FTouchSL and it's a must have for my phone.
Sian said:
include hose programmes to the exclusion list
set the delay to smaller value
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
smaller delay value did help to be more responsive. down-up slide launch works better now. all others launches don't. It seems the today interfere with the FTtouchSL. It is pity to say, but I didn't managed to exclude it. I couldn't find it as a program.
you can always use Spb PocketPlus 4, which has "smart scrolling" with a number of other features you might like. There is a fee for it though, but like I always say, if theres a will theres a way
You CAN exclude the desktop, you have to add it as a "window exception". Just manually type in either "Start" or "Desktop", I forgot which one
Azimuth21 said:
exclude the desktop as a "window exception"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this one was a good move. down-up gesture works like a charm now. (do not forget to enable gestures while except window) I am sure now, the program competed with desktop for resources to process the touchscreen control.
All other gesture movements don't work. It seems TodayAgenda still compete with FTouch
settings
what did you have for the Enable FtouchSL timeout:
how about the Gestures timeout:
i excluded the desktop. Click on Exceptions then add window title. in the window title, typed in desktop
is that right?

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