Database Users

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....

DBH Slide2Unlock Professional vs. A_C's S2U2

I was suprised to see the latest version of DBH's Slide2Unlock available for download the other day. Beyond that, I was pleasantly surprised by the functionality of this program. I've been using A_C's S2U2 and needless to say, tremendously happy with his latest version. Is it just me and my Mogul or does Slide2Unlock Professional require far less program memory or RAM? The point of this thread is to collect the positives and negatives of using one of these programs versus the other. Try to keep replies limited to the most recent releases of both programs. Thanks.

I didnt compare memmory consumption but what i found different was that S2U when awakened after a long period it seems that the clock was frozen and just wakes up too (eg its 1pm now, when i turn my device on i can see the clock jump from 12pm till 1pm, anyone else has this?!) DBH's Slide2Unlock does not do this.
- I also liked he fact that DBH's Slide2Unlock has continuous gif animation and not the 10sec power saving as S2U
- however S2U u can see everything on one page: despite beeing a VERY cool option, u dont have to slide to see ur missed calls, #of messages and voice messages... I prefer S2U: just looking at the screen and figure out how many calls, messages, who was the last call, the time and date... everything by just one glance.

AC is the man.The way i look at the 10 sec issue is that the program is used for the purpose of locking the screen,so youre likely to unlock your screen at least ten seconds after switching on your phone,moving pictures are a bonus.Secondly,DPAD unlocking can prove priceless at times,sort of a failsafe in case life happens. The DBH had better graphics(emphasis on 'had') but the slider was bothersome,sometimes choppy/slow. I think anybody moaning about 1MB of memory usage should manage their PDA better.

After s2u2 sits fir a while the gif file will not animate until you press the slide key. This is the one reason why I am using pro over this. Has anyone found a fix for it?

What Fix
There is no Fix, there is nothing wrong with the application. A_C has hard-coded it into the applcation, may-be in next version he will add option to leave the gif running, when on land line would stay on.

What I like about Pro is you can change your animated .gif file easily when you get sick of it. In fact I made a folder on my storage card loaded with animated .gif files. You don't have to rename them to wallpaper or wallpaperL.
Also I just love how you slide away the time to reveal the other information. Its a really cool feature.
I must commend A C for his excellent program also. I was using it until this new version of Pro came out.

jlaplaca said:
There is no Fix, there is nothing wrong with the application. A_C has hard-coded it into the applcation, may-be in next version he will add option to leave the gif running, when on land line would stay on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasnt talking about it stopping to play after a certain amount of time. I am fine with that. I was talking about your screen being off and you go to turn it on. The animation should automatically start up when you turn the power on but it does not. The animation does not start until you hit the slide. Kind of makes having a gif file pointless.

Which uses more memory?
Is memory usage between the two of these programs about the same?

s2u
DBH's Slide2Unlock use more memory than AC_s2u2 and create a file at 4mb
but DBH's Slide2Unlock is smouther
and i like AC_s2u2 with other option like DBH's Slide2Unlock

On My HTC Touch it says Unknown Caller instead of the persons name in my caller id. that is the only thing that bothers me about DBH's.

Well I've used both, they do have their pros and cons. did find DBH Slide2Unlock Pro more stable on my device then A_C's S2U2 however, I've reverted to S2U2 as I prefer the analogue clock feature and the slide action is a lot smoother as apposed to lightning quick slide action of DBH Slide2Unlock Pro (I find it to be too quick for my liking).
I think the perfect Slide2Unlock app would be a combination of these two, I guess "I want to have the cake and eat it too" I'm just greedy!! LOL

gfreek said:
Well I've used both, they do have their pros and cons. did find DBH Slide2Unlock Pro more stable on my device then A_C's S2U2 however, I've reverted to S2U2 as I prefer the analogue clock feature and the slide action is a lot smoother as apposed to lightning quick slide action of DBH Slide2Unlock Pro (I find it to be too quick for my liking).
I think the perfect Slide2Unlock app would be a combination of these two, I guess "I want to have the cake and eat it too" I'm just greedy!! LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, a combination of these two would be perfect. I'm currently using the .86 version of S2U2 due to some bugs/features that I dislike in the new version (the TALK and END buttons function when locked, the black screen that appears when you get a SMS). What I like about S2U Pro though is the Slide to Reject and also the fact that when a new SMS comes in, the notification just appears on top of the S2U wallpaper, not masking it with a black screen. The slide feature for the clock is neat, yet I'd still perfer the little bubbles that appear on the bottom right of the screen like in earlier version and in A_C's. I think if both authors came together and made one program it would be perfect.

Well....A_C just released a new version today that makes the constant running GIF debate a moot point, he has allowed users to enable a constantly running GIF.
Maybe if some of the things I am not familiar with here (slide clock, slide to reject...) were mentioned over in his thread, he would work on it for you, he is always open to ideas, and will tell you if he can't, or if he will at least think about/try it!!

syrguy1969 said:
Well....A_C just released a new version today that makes the constant running GIF debate a moot point, he has allowed users to enable a constantly running GIF.
Maybe if some of the things I am not familiar with here (slide clock, slide to reject...) were mentioned over in his thread, he would work on it for you, he is always open to ideas, and will tell you if he can't, or if he will at least think about/try it!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree that he is open for advise/suggestions. But lets be honost...we don't want 2 exact the same programms. i think

darkness_nightfall said:
agree that he is open for advise/suggestions. But lets be honost...we don't want 2 exact the same programms. i think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh...I wouldn't think that would happen, I just know if people like a lot of one app, they would stick with it, and make a suggestion of a change. I only mentioned A_C because I have followed him for a while, I am sure the other developer is just as open to suggestions. I think there would always be differences, but like anything else in life, I pick the item that has more pro's than con's as far as my expected functionability.

syrguy1969 said:
Oh...I wouldn't think that would happen, I just know if people like a lot of one app, they would stick with it, and make a suggestion of a change. I only mentioned A_C because I have followed him for a while, I am sure the other developer is just as open to suggestions. I think there would always be differences, but like anything else in life, I pick the item that has more pro's than con's as far as my expected functionability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is good to hear, because in the last post in the big thread...people only demand this and that. You must have a strong will then to continue with your own thoughts. It is easy to go with the flow under pressure.

abdelamine said:
DBH's Slide2Unlock use more memory than AC_s2u2 and create a file at 4mb
but DBH's Slide2Unlock is smouther
and i like AC_s2u2 with other option like DBH's Slide2Unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been enjoying the s2u2 v 098 for several days now, and I love the screen lock mechanism. However, I believe I am right in saying that neither DBH nor S2u2 has any security built in...ie entry password. Now I know that we could get our phones to activate the password protection...but how cool would it be to have a guitar fret-like slider that enunciates via numerals or NOTES(c,C#,b,G) or BOTH, our passwords AS we use the slider to unlock the screen,thus killing TWO birds with one...er...TUNE!
Rough draft of the slider:
0123456789 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++---Enter
Pswd 24L0
net result:
Play your little Password tune on the slider and UNLOCK the phone at the same time...does any get what I'm saying, or am I being too obtuse?
Chas

can someone post a link of AC S2U2

kpazzo6 said:
can someone post a link of AC S2U2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=353008

hesynergy said:
I've been enjoying the s2u2 v 098 for several days now, and I love the screen lock mechanism. However, I believe I am right in saying that neither DBH nor S2u2 has any security built in...ie entry password. Now I know that we could get our phones to activate the password protection...but how cool would it be to have a guitar fret-like slider that enunciates via numerals or NOTES(c,C#,b,G) or BOTH, our passwords AS we use the slider to unlock the screen,thus killing TWO birds with one...er...TUNE!
Rough draft of the slider:
0123456789 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++---Enter
Pswd 24L0
net result:
Play your little Password tune on the slider and UNLOCK the phone at the same time...does any get what I'm saying, or am I being too obtuse?
Chas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the idea! But it's definitely another kind of app. A do-re-mi would also work since it requires less space (just 8 notes would do).

[2008-02-03] FTouchSL released! (former FTouchFlo)

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...

Transparent Keyboard

Hi guys,
I just got an idea about keyboard for PPC... that will be more finger friendly, PLUS, screen friendly.
Would it be possible to build something like FULL SCREEN keyboard overlay the screen, but still able to see the running software and able to see words is inputting? Just like a transparent keyboard layout on the screen, but doesn't really eat up the screen space. Not sure if I describe well enough. What do you guys think?
I am not a programmer, so I can only hand off my idea and pass the development to any volunteer programmer who has the knowledge and ability to make it.
- andre

Sounds like a great idea
Post your suggestion on the PocketCM.com forum and maybe the keyboard over there could be adapted.
As many of the screens on WM6 are designed for the built-in kb, the dialogue boxes can get cut off if you use an opaque kb.

Thanks. I've done so. I hope to see something like this one day. =)

That is actually a very good idea. I wonder how difficult it would be to do? I know nothing about SIP programming, heh.

Unless I am mistaken, it's impossible to do that as WM6 does not support transparency or graphical layers

Ufufu said:
Unless I am mistaken, it's impossible to do that as WM6 does not support transparency or graphical layers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How the S2U2 volume is working? It's transparent if you wish

romualdrichard said:
How the S2U2 volume is working? It's transparent if you wish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it is... All programs that appear transparent (and there are many, throttlelock, mortbuttons, s2u2 volume etc etc) just take a screenshot of the background and draw over that. Which means that they just appear to be transparent - if things change beneath, you cannot see them, what you see is the screen like it was when you launched the program.
I hope someone corrects me on that, but I am pretty sure it works like that

Ufufu said:
I don't think it is... All programs that appear transparent (and there are many, throttlelock, mortbuttons, s2u2 volume etc etc) just take a screenshot of the background and draw over that. Which means that they just appear to be transparent - if things change beneath, you cannot see them, what you see is the screen like it was when you launched the program.
I hope someone corrects me on that, but I am pretty sure it works like that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So make it take a screenshot every second or so...?(Dynamo 3 does that, not for transparency but for thumbnails, but it does that)

I don't know if it's doable. It's easy to get the current screen (what WM is currently painting), but not that easy to get a screenshot of a background program, or the desktop. Programs that do that (eg, CapSure) switch to the program you want to take a screenshot of first, so even if you could switch to the program, take a screenie, and get back to where you were in 1 second, the screen would "flicker" all the time.
About Dynamo, I didn't check the latest versions of Dynamo3, but maybe it takes screenshots of the running (front) program? And I don't think it takes screens every second!
Even if I am wrong (very probable), and it's doable, I don't think it would be very practical! For locking programs, this would totally ruin baterry life. For a "transparent" keyboard, 1 per sec would not be enough, and it would probably ruin responsiveness.
Then again, I never tried to play with screenshots and fake transparency for a WM program, so who knows! Maybe! O_O

I've tried to do that for ThrottleLock. My first choice was using the WM_PRINT window message, but it's not supported for windows mobile ... other choice was to send the WM_PAINT message or a refresh and trying to get the DC associated with the window to use BitBlt to copy it to a target Bitmap... Not luck as the window will not be painted while it's not visible... As far as I know it's not possible... If anyone figures out another way to get it please let me know

todaylife can do that all. fully transparent pngs over a changing background.look at my screenshots of my skins, everything is working in background. dont know how dazzlingdazz made it but its true.

In TodayLife, it's the app itself that's painting the background... So it's easy to paint other stuff on top and still show the main screen underneath. Unfortunately not the same thing we want other applications & wm interface to show beneath the transparency.
Android supports multi-layer drawing for applications, let's hope wm7 has it too.

Some 'marshall wait cursors' are transparent. But I don't know anything how they're working.
I had this idea myself about a year ago, but thought that it is impossible to make a transparent sip, because it is not displayed over a program. It's under it. I don't know how to say in English, but I thought the sip reduce the fullscreen-size.
But maybe someone can write a program that is no real sip but transparent over other programs.
I mean like the phone pad, it is no real sip but used as an input method.
Sorry for my bad english, I hope you can guess what I mean.

ReinerK said:
Some 'marshall wait cursors' are transparent. But I don't know anything how they're working.
I had this idea myself about a year ago, but thought that it is impossible to make a transparent sip, because it is not displayed over a program. It's under it. I don't know how to say in English, but I thought the sip reduce the fullscreen-size.
But maybe someone can write a program that is no real sip but transparent over other programs.
I mean like the phone pad, it is no real sip but used as an input method.
Sorry for my bad english, I hope you can guess what I mean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Marshall waitcursors work with screenshots too.
The SIP doesn't reduce the screen size, some programs however can detect it and re-draw itself, making it seem like the screen size is reduced - but not all, it doesn't work like that I think
There are already fullscreen keyboards over other programs, that's not the problem, the problem is the transparency

excellent idea.

transparency is supported.
Look at RetroPPC clock. the only thing that I had to do to make my clock transparent, was to use PNG-24 format.
so the clock just revolved on top of the background even when it had to shift for the scroll bars.
in any case, the effect can be achived. what about a flash based keyboard?

[PRJ][21.09.2008]The Manila Interface of your dream PnP (pen-and-paper) ;)

Hello guys!
I think many of us came to the thinking that, though TouchFLO 3D is great UI, we should make something alternate, something that better fits our needs. And now, i think i'm ready to create one, but first we should decide how should it look like and how should it operate.
So, i propose a kind of "brainstorming contest" where you decide about the look of a new UI. But to avoid this turning into an annoying feature request list ("more tasks on today! please! please! please!" ), here are the rules:
- NO text-only suggestions - every post s/b illustrated with pen-and-paper drawing
- NO screenshots or photoshop cooks - only hand-drawings or something that look like em (yes, you can use digitizer tablet )
- drawings are NOT required to be professional - just something to illustrate you thoughts
- you are NOT required to develop the complete UI - you may just post suggestions about UI parts, but preferred things are unique navigation idea (try to forget about tabs), apps\tabs convergence, brand new useful apps/tabs
- best contributors ideas (possible with Manila API) will be implemented and their names will be listed in "About..." screen
Posts that violate rules (even best of them), will be ignored.
That's it.

maybe this is too open ended.. do you haev some ideas of your own that you might want to put forward?

omniwolf said:
maybe this is too open ended.. do you haev some ideas of your own that you might want to put forward?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm already implementing ideas of my own
I just wanted to know what do folks think/dream about

show us whatcha go then!

I think D-MAN666 doesn't want to influence people, this is a brainstorming If he starts with his idea, it is probable that nobody will post a completely different concept...

This might be a useful start for interface design:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=397220
One thing I would love to see is a radial menu:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pie_menu
Similar to tap-and-hold for a context menu, but instead of a list popping up, a radial menu appears. You could fit 8-12 options around the circle, which would cover TF3d's pages.
So in usage, tap for the popup radial menu, then:
- swipe up for Contacts
- swipe right for Music
- swipe down for Home
- etc
IMO, it's much easier to be accurate in swiping at different angles/directions than it is to be precise with the default TF3d slider tabs, so you could really speed your way through the interface. The same could apply elsewhere: tap and hold a contact, then swipe up to call, left to SMS, right to email, etc.
For other thoughts, here's a read on interface optimization (for the technically inclined):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitts's_law
And maybe later if I'm bored I'll draw some mockups

http://microsoft.blognewschannel.co...bile-7-to-focus-on-touch-and-motion-gestures/
sorry for breaking the rules, but everyone else is lol...thats a link to the WM7 concept design...along with theoretical gestures...i really digg the battery bar on the bottom and the reception bar...

Ill be the first then...
A quick drawing i knocked up... manila stays very much the same but basicaly show page navigation on the manila both horizontal and vertical..
I hope its clear enough

2 ideas here
I am going to break the rules since I'ma t work and can't really be seen drawing lol.
Here they are:
- Make use of the touch capacitative ability of the the buttons panel. It's made up of three touch panels. Maybe a swipe from left to right to unlock and right to left to lock.
- Display applications within tabs. Ex: Being able to display Icontact when sliding to the contact tab.
And for UI inspiration, I would look here:
http://www.throttlelauncher.com/portal/setupsaskins/45-091setups/69-new-minimal-flow-theme

Ok, here's my concept
The general idea is to keep most of manilla look'n feel, just remove useless animations/transitions, and change the home screen.
Changes : on the right side of the screen, a scrollbar similar to the "contacts" one appears. It controls the content of the box under the clock.
On the left, a button to maximize (take the place of the clock) the box, and a fast vibrator/ring permutation button.
So, by scrolling the bar, the content of the box changes, could be call log, contacts, fast program launcher, music player, and so on.
The idea is to keep complex functionalities (camera, tv, etc) needing full screen accessible by the manilla bar, and quick&fast features such as logs, sms, player accessible on the main screen.

Nice idea, man

Hi there,
just a thought on a possible gui for the UI, instead of tabs, layers (don't know if that's possible, but it would be very cool imho)
you could have multiple layers, and have the layers in the backgound fade out and become smaller (perspective) and use a swipe up or down to navigate

Anything happening on here?
Just wondering

SinnerNL said:
Hi there,
just a thought on a possible gui for the UI, instead of tabs, layers (don't know if that's possible, but it would be very cool imho)
you could have multiple layers, and have the layers in the backgound fade out and become smaller (perspective) and use a swipe up or down to navigate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great idea!
like the game u can get on Playstation 3... where u 'swim' around collecting stuff and going thru lvls....

I'm thinking that the Ximoon idea is quite good but one thing that should be included is landscape option and I'm not talking about TP version but one with the same functions like the portrait one

I like the idea of the circular menus...

well first of all thanks to you guys you are doing awsome work and its always funn spendin my free time in your forums
now to my idea
does anybody know the film : the lawnmower man? theres one scene almost at the end of the film where he tries to escape to the internet i think the idea is quite amazing movn in a bowl and havin litle windows to select.
what do ya think
this is the link to the movie scene just skip it forward to about 5 minutes
Edit: sry forgot the link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doAnB5_eDnw&feature=related