Database Users

Folder structures - can't see files from word or excel

Does anyone have a hack that would allow me to view and save data files at a lower folder than the first level?
I.e. my folder structure is \Personal\Financial\ but excel and word can only see files stored under \Personal\ and not the next folder down. I need to be able to access this second level from within the application.
Would be a great help to me.

If you haven't installed Mad Programmer's dialog changer, you're not using your pda properly.
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17133
V

Thanks vijay555 but this is not in relation to installing apps.
There is a particular problem in WM2003 whereby if I store for example my pocket excel files in the folder:
\Financial\Spreadsheets\
I cannot access this folder from Pocket Excel but only from File Explorer. Pocket excel will only show the files existing in the folder "Financial" here. It means that when I create a new excel (or any other document) from within the application, I have to save it to the "financial" directory first, then manually move it to the next folder down.
Same applies to Pocket Word, Listpro etc files (any files in fact).
Paul

pauldcullen: although the link I gave is talking about installing cabs and stuff, Mad Programmer's dialog changer hooks into the OS and changes all of the rubbish OS dialogs (that only allow you to see My documents etc) and replaces them with the more advanced kind that let you navigate anywhere.
The link I gave is a useful one on installing the app itself, because Mad Programmer's website is generally Japanese. But hopefully, try installing the app and you should be able to navigate anywhere for saving files.
http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-Cupertino/2039
Ensure you use the right version for your OS.
V

thanks a lot I'll give it a shot - any stability problems with it?

I've never had any and used it for > 1year on both Wm2003 and Wm5.
V

vijay I've installed it and it seems to work for SAVING new files into a sub-directory which in itself is great!
However, as soon as I OPEN pocket excel etc, I cannot see these files in the subfolders, only those in the parent folder - any ideas?
Thanks for your help!
Paul

Hmm, I just noticed that...
It seens mad programmer only hooked the saving, not opening dialogs.
Not the best option I know, but I never open files using word, I use gsfinder to locate them and open directly by double clicking.
Other then that, I don't think Word was "designed" to show the subfolders as you've got them configured. PITA I know.
V

"Wrap" a Today plugin

I have a little project in mind, but would like some input from the pros to cut research time:
Is it possible to "wrap" a Today plugin dll with another, providing a "pass through" for operations (such as screen taps, etc)?
What I'm trying to accomplish is this: Add selectability and other one-handed d-pad operation to an older plugin that is not selectable.
What do you think?

it's possible but the problem is that the plugin have to keep track on what plugins it include and which handles it have to pass to them
could end up big and slow

Rudegar said:
it's possible but the problem is that the plugin have to keep track on what plugins it include and which handles it have to pass to them
could end up big and slow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is specific to a single plugin - it would only keep track of one.
Perhaps plan B would be easier - a plugin that manipulates another plugin. Such that it would "appear" the older plugin was selected, etc. I guess I'd better go study some more...

Actually its really simple.
Any plug-in DLL exports a function called InitCustomItem. In this function the plug-in does all its initialization, and creates its window. The return value is the handle to this window which you can subclass to add functionality.
as for selection, there is a value in the registry for each plug-in (HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Today\Items) which controls whether the system passes selection events to the plug-in or not.
it has three settings:
0 - non selectable, item will be skipped by the system.
1 - Automatic, the system will paint the item and handle selection on / off
2 - Manual, the system will pass the selection event to the item and the item will take care of the rest. In this mode the return value of the WM_ACTION determines whether the selection is moving on. This is good for multiline plug-ins that don't want to give up focus when arrow keys are pressed.

levenum said:
Actually its really simple.
Any plug-in DLL exports a function called InitCustomItem. In this function the plug-in does all its initialization, and creates its window. The return value is the handle to this window which you can subclass to add functionality.
as for selection, there is a value in the registry for each plug-in (HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Today\Items) which controls whether the system passes selection events to the plug-in or not.
it has three settings:
0 - non selectable, item will be skipped by the system.
1 - Automatic, the system will paint the item and handle selection on / off
2 - Manual, the system will pass the selection event to the item and the item will take care of the rest. In this mode the return value of the WM_ACTION determines whether the selection is moving on. This is good for multiline plug-ins that don't want to give up focus when arrow keys are pressed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for the response! I've set the Selectability registry item for the older plugin, and it's ignoring it - that's what started me on this little project.
I'm a software developer by trade, but not with C++, so I don't want to waste people's time here asking a lot of dumb questions. If you could point me in the right direction on a couple of things, I'll go off and learn:
1. If all I have is a dll and nothing else (no .defs, etc), can I determine all of the functions it exports (other than InitCustomItem)?
2. Process check: My custom plugin's InitCustomItem would call old-plugin's InitCustomItem, snagging old-plug's hwnd. New-plugin would then initialize it's own window - transparent(?) and pass that hwnd back to windows. Also, my custom plugin would pass all messages to old-plugin, etc. Theoretically, old-plug would look and operate like normal?
If this is already written, just sent me the code!

Well I am afraid it will be difficult to do all this without C++. As far as WM based devices are concerned you need to use something that translates in to native code to create system components like the plugins son ,no .NET languages, and embedded VB doesn't do well on anything never that WM 2003 (not even SE), plus I am not sure if you can make DLLs with it at all.
To your questions:
1) There is a tool which comes with VS 6 called Dependency Walker. It shows you what functions a given DLL exports, what it imports from other DLLs and what DLLs it is link to. Woks on EXE files as well.
If you can't get that, download a demo of IDA 5. It's the most powerful disassembler for WM devices out there.
2) Not sure, I never tried anything like that. The thing is, the system resizes the plugins, on initialization (it controls height) and when screen rotation changes so if you pass back HWND for a window other than the one visible, it might cause some problems.
I think what you should do is learn about subclassing. It's when you replace the procedure of an existing window with your own (just replace the function, not create new window). You then get all the messages for that window, you can do what you want and call the original function when you done.
By the way, if you want to learn about writing plugins there is an article with code samples on this site: www.pocketpcdn.com and a lot of other interesting stuff.
Good luck.

What plugin is it? It might be easiest just to rewrite the plugin if you've got the code.
V

levenum said:
Well I am afraid it will be difficult to do all this without C++.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have been more clear - I am using C++, I'm just have to learn how to program with it first!
vijay555 said:
What plugin is it? It might be easiest just to rewrite the plugin if you've got the code.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the old-plugin source code. My little project is to add some sort of d-pad operation to the WeatherPanel plugin, which you're probably familiar with.
Progress: I've written and deployed my first little plugin - based on the source code samples available in the internet.
Next step: In my InitializeCustomItem, I thought I'd try to call WeatherPanel's InitializeCustomItem (instead of creating my own window). Thing is, I don't yet know how to properly link the WeatherPanel dll to my project. As expected, it only exports two functions: InitializeCustomItem and CustomItemOptionsDlgProc (I used dumpbin.exe)
I'll keep plugging away - any input would be appreciated.
Thanks for your help!

It's real easy:
Use LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress functions to call functions in other DLLs without linking them.

levenum said:
It's real easy:
Use LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress functions to call functions in other DLLs without linking them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a coincidence! My studying led me to the same functions.
From within my plugin's InitializeCustomItem, I was able to successfully load the dll with LoadLibrayl, GepProcAddress of its InitializeCustomeItem (at ordinal 240) and call it. But it whacks the Today screen so that none of the plugins load.
Next I thought I'd try FindWindow and EnumChildWindows to find it and all it's children. Then manipulate them by sending messages...

storyr said:
What a coincidence! My studying led me to the same functions.
From within my plugin's InitializeCustomItem, I was able to successfully load the dll with LoadLibrayl, GepProcAddress of its InitializeCustomeItem (at ordinal 240) and call it. But it whacks the Today screen so that none of the plugins load.
Next I thought I'd try FindWindow and EnumChildWindows to find it and all it's children. Then manipulate them by sending messages...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: So far, so good. As it turns out, EnumChildWindows doesn't work on the PPC, so I used GetWindow to find the plugin's handle. I can successfully send messages to it and initiate various actions.
Question: I'd like to visually indicate (on the old-plugin) what's being clicked (such as drawing a box around it). Is it possible to draw things outside of my own window?

It is, but it's tricky.
You can always use the GetDC function to retrieve the DC for another window and paint on it, but the problem is that unless you subclass the window you have no way of knowing when it repaints it self and all your changes are erased.

levenum said:
It is, but it's tricky.
You can always use the GetDC function to retrieve the DC for another window and paint on it, but the problem is that unless you subclass the window you have no way of knowing when it repaints it self and all your changes are erased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that exact thing (GetDC) and drew a rectangle in it, but it didn't do anything. I realized the reason was the WM_Paint event wasn't firing on old-plugin, and when it did, my stuff was erased (just like you said).
Next idea - open my own dialog window than overlays old-plug. The entire window needs to be transparent - except for the visual indicators that I position where I want. When the user ok's, I close the window and send the click to old-plugin...
Thanks again for keeping tabs on my progress..

No offence, but with all these rather advanced programming tricks you are attempting just to "sup up" an old weather plugin it looks to me like you would be better off just writing the whole thing from scratch.
It you are familiar with WinInet and / or sockets this should be pretty easy and it will look and work much better than the hack you are attempting now.
Plus you can make it exactly the way you like.

levenum said:
No offence, but with all these rather advanced programming tricks you are attempting just to "sup up" an old weather plugin it looks to me like you would be better off just writing the whole thing from scratch.
It you are familiar with WinInet and / or sockets this should be pretty easy and it will look and work much better than the hack you are attempting now.
Plus you can make it exactly the way you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offence taken. I thought of that, but I figured this would be a good way to cut my teeth a little. Once I complete this little project, I may pursue that route...
Question: Do you have a favorite forum (or forums) besides this site that you use for your research/programming questions?

This is my favorite forum
But here are couple more sites I found very valuable:
www.pocketpcdn.com - They have tips and tricks with code examples arranged in categories like how to make MFC dialogs not full screen or the one I used in LVMTime to put the clock back on the taskbar.
www.codeproject.com - It's not specific to WM development but has tons of interesting stuff including entire sources.
You should also check out www.buzdev.net If you're not familiar with the great work of buzz_lightyear you should see some of the stuff he did for this forum like grab_it - the invisible ROM dumper.

OT
Just a quick OT question:
If I would move some of the plugin-dll's from \Windows to \Storage Card, would it be enough to change the adress within the corresponding item in the registry entry HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Today/Items ?
Of course I'm not talking about plugins like tasks a.s.o but rather third party plugins
Cheers
hrb

It won't work.
The problem is that the SD card is mounted too late so if you put the plugins on it they will not be loaded when device boots up.
You can move them to the extended ROM this way or to a folder other than windows but there is no way to move start-up stuff to SD.

Thanks for the help with this "little" project. After many hours, the product is out for beta testing. When it's released, I'll post more info...

Finished!
It's finished. The app is called WP-Pilot and it provides one-handed operation of WeatherPanel. If anyone's interested, it can be found here. Here's how it ended up:
There's a plugin (WP-PilotPlugin.dll) with an options dialog, and an executable (WP-Pilot.exe).
When the plugin gets selected, it looks for Weatherpanel. If it finds it, it fires off WP-Pilot.exe
WP-Pilot.exe opens. It does this stuff:
Look for WeatherPanel, and get it's screen coordinates.
Read the registry and determine which layout file WeatherPanel is using.
Open the layout file and read it: Record the coordinates of each "clickable" item found. This was a real PITA because of Unicode.
Sort the coordinates for left-to-right, top-to-bottom order.
Select the first coordinate and position a tiny window (10x10) at that x-y position.
Draw a "pointer" in the window (the type and color depends on what's selected in the options).
Show the window and process input:
[*]Left/right pressed - selected the next/previous coordinate and move the window to that location.
[*]Up/down pressed - close WP-Pilot and tell the plugin we're done.
[*]Center button pushed:
[*]Send a mouse click to the WeatherPanel plugin at the coordinates
[*]Close WP-Pilot and tell the plugin we're done.​
Thanks again for your help!

Itask Configuration and Answers for Mogul/XV6800/Titan Owners

I thought I'd start a thread for anyone else out there like me who thinks that rhov23's Itask application is fantastic but has yet to figure out all of his/her device's configuration. If we all collaberate, we can probably limit the repetetive questions rhov23 gets so that he can continue to focus on advancing Itask even further.
Anyway, I'll keep this updated with the latest answers and fixes. Post your own configuration questions and hopefully someone else has already found the answer and can help you out. It is also worth noting that it is usually necessary to restart iTask after making changes or modifications. Below is my modified input.txt file and descriptions of the changes I've made thus far. There is still a ton of work left to do:
***Make no mistake, all credit and donations go to rhov23, here ->>> <http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=364344> for this super piece of technology. ***

Input.txt (pt 1)
\\ iTask Modification File
\\Background picture
&backgroundpic=back.jpg&END
\\Clock on main screen. modern=24 hour clock, old= 12 hour-ampm
&timeformat=old&END (I'M USING THE OLD= 12 HOUR-AMPM FORMAT)
\\Analog Clock background
&clockback=analog.jpg&END
\\Change your weathercode from Yahoo Weather. Change degrees=c to f if you want fahrenheit
&degrees=f&END
&COUNTRY_ID=USIL0389&END
&COUNTRY_ID2=USMS0005&END
&COUNTRY_ID3=USCO0131&END
&COUNTRY_ID4=USAK0021&END (GO TO YAHOO WEATHER, SEARCH FOR THE CITY YOU WANT, COPY THE CODE PORTION FROM URL, LOOKS LIKE THIS->USIL0389<, PASTE AND REPLACE THE PRESET CITY CODES AND REMEMBER TO UPDATE THE WEATHER BY PRESSING BAR AT BOTTOM OF WEATHER SCREEN)
\\Main menu
\\ This is the text under the Main menu icons, do not use more than 8-9 charachters
&maintext1=Contacts&END
&maintext2=Calendar&END
&maintext3=Apps&END
&maintext4=Camera&END
&maintext5=Calc&END
&maintext6=Maps&END
&maintext7=iProgs&END
&maintext8=Weather&END
&maintext9=News&END
&maintext10=Games&END
\\These are the execute-buttons in the following order from top left. Lnk and exe files accepted.
&mainexec1=\Program%20Files\PocketCM\PocketCM.exe&END (changed to pocketcm)
&mainexec2=\windows\calendar.exe&END
&mainexec4=\windows\camera.exe&END
&mainexec6=\windows\Favorites\Google Search - Maps.url&END (able to use a favorite from internet explorer for this button. very cool)
&mainexec11=\windows\cprog.exe&END
&mainexec12=\windows\tmail.exe&END (changed to messaging)
&mainexec13=\windows\Start%20Menu\Opera.lnk&END (changed to operamini)
&mainexec14=\windows\wmplayer.exe&END (changed to windows media player)
&powerdown=\itask\keys.lnk&END
&devicelock=\Program%20Files\S2U2\s2u2.exe&END (changed device lock to S2U2)
\\Mainbutton images
&mainbutton01=main01.swf&END
&mainbutton02=main02.png&END
&mainbutton03=main03.png&END
&mainbutton04=main04.png&END
&mainbutton05=main05.png&END
&mainbutton06=main06.png&END
&mainbutton07=main07.png&END
&mainbutton08=main08.png&END
&mainbutton09=main09.png&END
&mainbutton10=main10.png&END
&mainbutton11=main11.png&END
&mainbutton12=main12.png&END
&mainbutton13=main13.png&END
&mainbutton14=main14.png&END
&mainbutton15=main15.png&END
\\Loading time for different programs.(How long the loadingimage will stay on-screen. Numbervalue is in milliseconds
&mainloadtime1=2000&END
&mainloadtime2=2000&END
&mainloadtime4=2000&END
&mainloadtime6=2000&END
&mainloadtime11=2000&END
&mainloadtime12=2000&END
&mainloadtime13=2000&END
&mainloadtime14=2000&END
\\Games menu
\\ This is the text under the Games menu icons, do not use more than 8-9 charachters
&gamestext1=1&END
&gamestext2=2&END
&gamestext3=3&END
&gamestext4=4&END
&gamestext5=5&END
&gamestext6=6&END
&gamestext7=7&END
&gamestext8=8&END
&gamestext9=9&END
&gamestext10=10&END
&gamestext11=11&END
&gamestext12=12&END
&gamestext13=13&END
&gamestext14=14&END
&gamestext15=15&END
&gamestext16=16&END
&gamestext17=17&END
&gamestext18=18&END
&gamestext19=19&END
&gamestext20=20&END
\\These are the execute-buttons in the following order from top left. Lnk and exe files accepted.
&Gamesexec1=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec2=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec3=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec4=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec5=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec6=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec7=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec8=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec9=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec10=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec11=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec12=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec13=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec14=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec15=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec16=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec17=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec18=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec19=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&Gamesexec20=\windows\calculator.exe&END
\\Gamesbutton images
&gamesbutton01=game01.png&END
&gamesbutton02=game02.png&END
&gamesbutton03=game03.png&END
&gamesbutton04=game04.png&END
&gamesbutton05=game05.png&END
&gamesbutton06=game06.png&END
&gamesbutton07=game07.png&END
&gamesbutton08=game08.png&END
&gamesbutton09=game09.png&END
&gamesbutton10=game10.png&END
&gamesbutton11=game11.png&END
&gamesbutton12=game12.png&END
&gamesbutton13=game13.png&END
&gamesbutton14=game14.png&END
&gamesbutton15=game15.png&END
&gamesbutton16=game16.png&END
&gamesbutton17=game17.png&END
&gamesbutton18=game18.png&END
&gamesbutton19=game19.png&END
&gamesbutton20=game20.png&END
\\Loading time for different programs.(How long the loadingimage will stay on-screen. Numbervalue is in milliseconds
&gamesloadtime1=2000&END
&gamesloadtime2=2000&END
&gamesloadtime3=2000&END
&gamesloadtime4=2000&END
&gamesloadtime5=2000&END
&gamesloadtime6=2000&END
&gamesloadtime7=2000&END
&gamesloadtime8=2000&END
&gamesloadtime9=2000&END
&gamesloadtime10=2000&END
&gamesloadtime11=2000&END
&gamesloadtime12=2000&END
&gamesloadtime13=2000&END
&gamesloadtime14=2000&END
&gamesloadtime15=2000&END
&gamesloadtime16=2000&END
&gamesloadtime17=2000&END
&gamesloadtime18=2000&END
&gamesloadtime19=2000&END
&gamesloadtime20=2000&END

Input.txt (pt 2)
\\ This is the text under the Apps menu icons, do not use more than 8-9 charachters
&appstext1=MemM&END (MemMaid)
&appstext2=Explore&END
&appstext3=Sling&END (Mobile Slingbox Player)
&appstext4=Media&END
&appstext5=TomTom&END
&appstext6=Word&END (Word .exe)
&appstext7=Ppoint&END
&appstext8=Excel&END
&appstext9=Reader&END
&appstext10=Mail&END
&appstext11=Photos&END
&appstext12=Paint&END
&appstext13=Music&END
&appstext14=Radio&END (using streamcenter radio streams as mobile favorite for this button)
&appstext15=Record&END
&appstext16=Messenger&END
&appstext17=QuickGPS&END
&appstext18=Registry&END
&appstext19=Manager&END
&appstext20=SkTools&END
&appstext21=None&END
&appstext22=None&END
&appstext23=None&END
&appstext24=None&END
&appstext25=None&END
&appstext26=None&END
&appstext27=None&END
&appstext28=None&END
&appstext29=None&END
&appstext30=None&END
&appstext31=None&END
&appstext32=None&END
&appstext33=None&END
&appstext34=None&END
&appstext35=None&END
&appstext36=None&END
&appstext37=None&END
&appstext38=None&END
&appstext39=None&END
&appstext40=None&END
\\These are the execute-buttons in the following order from top left. Lnk and exe files accepted.
&appsexec1=\Program%20Files\MemMaid\MemMaid.exe&END (changed to MemMaid)
&appsexec2=\windows\fexplore.exe&END
&appsexec3=\Program%20Files\Sling%20Media\SlingPlayer%20Mobile\SlingPlayer.exe&END (changed to Mobile Slingbox Player)
&appsexec4=\windows\wmplayer.exe&END
&appsexec5=\Programfiler\Navigator\TomTom%20Navigator.exe&END
&appsexec6=\Windows\pword.exe&END (Word .exe)
&appsexec7=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\PowerPoint%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec8=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\Excel%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec9=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Adobe%20Reader%20LE%20.lnk&END
&appsexec10=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Meldingsfunksjoner.lnk&END
&appsexec11=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Kameraalbum.lnk&END
&appsexec12=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&appsexec13=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Lydbehandling.lnk&END
&appsexec14=\Windows\Favorites\Radio.url&END (using streamcenter radio streams from internet explorer favorites)
&appsexec15=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Taleopptak.lnk&END
&appsexec16=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Messenger.lnk&END
&appsexec17=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\HurtigGPS.lnk&END
&appsexec18=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Resco%20Registry.lnk&END
&appsexec19=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Comm%20Manager.lnk&END
&appsexec20=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\SKTools.lnk&END
&appsexec21=\Programfiler\Resco%20Explorer\Explorer.exe&END
&appsexec22=\windows\fexplore.exe&END
&appsexec23=\Programfiler\CorePlayer\player.exe&END
&appsexec24=\windows\wmplayer.exe&END
&appsexec25=\Programfiler\Navigator\TomTom%20Navigator.exe&END
&appsexec26=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\Word%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec27=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\PowerPoint%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec28=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\Excel%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec29=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Adobe%20Reader%20LE%20.lnk&END
&appsexec30=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Meldingsfunksjoner.lnk&END
&appsexec31=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Kameraalbum.lnk&END
&appsexec32=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&appsexec33=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Lydbehandling.lnk&END
&appsexec34=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\FM-radio.lnk&END
&appsexec35=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Taleopptak.lnk&END
&appsexec36=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Messenger.lnk&END
&appsexec37=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\HurtigGPS.lnk&END
&appsexec38=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Resco%20Registry.lnk&END
&appsexec39=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Comm%20Manager.lnk&END
&appsexec40=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\SKTools.lnk&END
\\Appsbutton images
&appsbutton01=app01.png&END
&appsbutton02=app02.png&END
&appsbutton03=app03.png&END
&appsbutton04=app04.png&END
&appsbutton05=app05.png&END
&appsbutton06=app06.png&END
&appsbutton07=app07.png&END
&appsbutton08=app08.png&END
&appsbutton09=app09.png&END
&appsbutton10=app10.png&END
&appsbutton11=app11.png&END
&appsbutton12=app12.png&END
&appsbutton13=app13.png&END
&appsbutton14=app14.png&END
&appsbutton15=app15.png&END
&appsbutton16=app16.png&END
&appsbutton17=app17.png&END
&appsbutton18=app18.png&END
&appsbutton19=app19.png&END
&appsbutton20=app20.png&END
&appsbutton21=app21.png&END
&appsbutton22=app22.png&END
&appsbutton23=app23.png&END
&appsbutton24=app24.png&END
&appsbutton25=app25.png&END
&appsbutton26=app26.png&END
&appsbutton27=app27.png&END
&appsbutton28=app28.png&END
&appsbutton29=app29.png&END
&appsbutton30=app30.png&END
&appsbutton31=app31.png&END
&appsbutton32=app32.png&END
&appsbutton33=app33.png&END
&appsbutton34=app34.png&END
&appsbutton35=app35.png&END
&appsbutton36=app36.png&END
&appsbutton37=app37.png&END
&appsbutton38=app38.png&END
&appsbutton39=app39.png&END
&appsbutton40=app40.png&END
\\Loading time for different programs.(How long the loadingimage will stay on-screen. Numbervalue is in milliseconds
&appsloadtime1=4000&END
&appsloadtime2=3000&END
&appsloadtime3=7400&END
&appsloadtime4=3000&END
&appsloadtime5=3000&END
&appsloadtime6=3000&END
&appsloadtime7=3000&END
&appsloadtime8=3000&END
&appsloadtime9=3000&END
&appsloadtime10=3000&END
&appsloadtime11=3000&END
&appsloadtime12=3000&END
&appsloadtime13=3000&END
&appsloadtime14=3000&END
&appsloadtime15=3000&END
&appsloadtime16=3000&END
&appsloadtime17=3000&END
&appsloadtime18=3000&END
&appsloadtime19=3000&END
&appsloadtime20=3000&END
&appsloadtime21=4000&END
&appsloadtime22=3000&END
&appsloadtime23=7400&END
&appsloadtime24=3000&END
&appsloadtime25=3000&END
&appsloadtime26=3000&END
&appsloadtime27=3000&END
&appsloadtime28=3000&END
&appsloadtime29=3000&END
&appsloadtime30=3000&END
&appsloadtime31=3000&END
&appsloadtime32=3000&END
&appsloadtime33=3000&END
&appsloadtime34=3000&END
&appsloadtime35=3000&END
&appsloadtime36=3000&END
&appsloadtime37=3000&END
&appsloadtime38=3000&END
&appsloadtime39=3000&END
&appsloadtime40=3000&END

Input.txt (pt 3)
\\Settings menu
\\ This is the text under the Settings menu icons
&settingstext1=Memory&END
&settingstext2=Light&END (IF ANYONE HAS THIS ONE FIGURED OUT, PLEASE SHARE)
&settingstext3=Network&END
&settingstext4=Power&END
&settingstext5=Screen&END
&settingstext6=Today&END
&settingstext7=Remove&END
&settingstext8=Clock&END
&settingstext9=Buttons&END
&settingstext10=Input&END
&settingshead=Settings2&END
\\These are the execute-buttons in the following order from top left. Lnk and exe files accepted.
&settingsexec1=\itask\Memory.lnk&END
&settingsexec2=\itask\Backlight.lnk&END (IF ANYONE HAS THIS ONE FIGURED OUT, PLEASE SHARE)
&settingsexec3=\itask\Connections.lnk&END
&settingsexec4=\itask\Power.lnk&END
&settingsexec5=\itask\Screen.lnk&END
&settingsexec6=\itask\Today.lnk&END
&settingsexec7=\itask\Remove Programs.lnk&END
&settingsexec8=\itask\Clock.lnk&END
&settingsexec9=\itask\Buttons.lnk&END
&settingsexec10=\itask\Input.lnk&END
\\Settingsbutton images
&settingsbutton01=settings01.png&END
&settingsbutton02=settings02.png&END
&settingsbutton03=settings03.png&END
&settingsbutton04=settings04.png&END
&settingsbutton05=settings05.png&END
&settingsbutton06=settings06.png&END
&settingsbutton07=settings07.png&END
&settingsbutton08=settings08.png&END
&settingsbutton09=settings09.png&END
&settingsbutton10=settings10.png&END
\\Loading time for different programs.(How long the loadingimage will stay on-screen. Numbervalue is in milliseconds
&settingsloadtime1=2000&END
&settingsloadtime2=2000&END
&settingsloadtime3=2000&END
&settingsloadtime4=2000&END
&settingsloadtime5=2000&END
&settingsloadtime6=2000&END
&settingsloadtime7=2000&END
&settingsloadtime8=2000&END
&settingsloadtime9=2000&END
&settingsloadtime10=2000&END
\\This is the text under the Internal apps menu icons
&iprogtext1=Write&END
&iprogtext2=iSat&END
&iprogtext3=Timer&END
&iprogtext4=MiniCal&END
&iprogtext5=Draw&END
&iprogtext6=Tetris&END
&iprogtext7=Snake&END
&iprogtext8=PingPong&END
&iprogtext9=Puzzle&END
&iprogtext10=Breaker&END
&iprogtext11=Steveball&END
&iprogtext12=Solitaire&END
&iprogtext13=&END
&iprogtext14=&END
&iprogtext15=&END
&iprogtext16=&END
&iprogtext17=&END
&iprogtext18=&END
&iprogtext19=&END
&iprogtext20=Credits&END
\\iProgsbutton images
&iprogsbutton01=iprog01.png&END
&iprogsbutton02=iprog02.png&END
&iprogsbutton03=iprog03.png&END
&iprogsbutton04=iprog04.png&END
&iprogsbutton05=iprog05.png&END
&iprogsbutton06=iprog06.png&END
&iprogsbutton07=iprog07.png&END
&iprogsbutton08=iprog08.png&END
&iprogsbutton09=iprog09.png&END
&iprogsbutton10=iprog10.png&END
&iprogsbutton11=iprog11.png&END
&iprogsbutton12=iprog12.png&END
&iprogsbutton13=iprog13.png&END
&iprogsbutton14=iprog14.png&END
&iprogsbutton15=iprog15.png&END
&iprogsbutton16=iprog16.png&END
&iprogsbutton17=iprog17.png&END
&iprogsbutton18=iprog18.png&END
&iprogsbutton19=iprog19.png&END
&iprogsbutton20=iprog20.png&END
\\This is the update button on weather
&updateweatherbtn=updateweather.png&END
\\This is the background of news
&newsbackground=newsback.png&END
\\This is the background of settings
&settingsbackground=settingsback.png&END
\\This is the name of the Games apps menu that slides from right
&Gameshead=Games&END
\\This is the name of the internal apps menu that slides from right
&iprogshead=iProgs&END
\\This is the name of the Apps apps menu that slides from right
&Appshead=Apps&END
\\Parameter for retrieving unread sms and unanswered calls, operator
&unreadlaunch=\itask\unread.exe&END
&operatorlaunch=\itask\operator.exe&END
&settingslaunch=\itask\settings.exe&END

do i just copy and paste

Tried to change, need current ver.

jak3n3al said:
do i just copy and paste
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an example of how some of the configuration should look. What exactly are you trying to set up?

well first of all im just now starting to understand this and i feel like a super genius
but my problem is most of the programs dont open it just shows a screenshot what do i do

rde34 said:
\\ This is the text under the Apps menu icons, do not use more than 8-9 charachters
\\These are the execute-buttons in the following order from top left. Lnk and exe files accepted.
&appsexec1=\Program%20Files\MemMaid\MemMaid.exe&END (changed to MemMaid)
&appsexec2=\windows\fexplore.exe&END
&appsexec3=\Program%20Files\Sling%20Media\SlingPlayer%20Mobile\SlingPlayer.exe&END (changed to Mobile Slingbox Player)
&appsexec4=\windows\wmplayer.exe&END
&appsexec5=\Programfiler\Navigator\TomTom%20Navigator.exe&END
&appsexec6=\Windows\pword.exe&END (Word .exe)
&appsexec7=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\PowerPoint%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec8=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\Excel%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec9=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Adobe%20Reader%20LE%20.lnk&END
&appsexec10=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Meldingsfunksjoner.lnk&END
&appsexec11=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Kameraalbum.lnk&END
&appsexec12=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&appsexec13=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Lydbehandling.lnk&END
&appsexec14=\Windows\Favorites\Radio.url&END (using streamcenter radio streams from internet explorer favorites)
&appsexec15=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Taleopptak.lnk&END
&appsexec16=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Messenger.lnk&END
&appsexec17=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\HurtigGPS.lnk&END
&appsexec18=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Resco%20Registry.lnk&END
&appsexec19=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Comm%20Manager.lnk&END
&appsexec20=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\SKTools.lnk&END
&appsexec21=\Programfiler\Resco%20Explorer\Explorer.exe&END
&appsexec22=\windows\fexplore.exe&END
&appsexec23=\Programfiler\CorePlayer\player.exe&END
&appsexec24=\windows\wmplayer.exe&END
&appsexec25=\Programfiler\Navigator\TomTom%20Navigator.exe&END
&appsexec26=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\Word%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec27=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\PowerPoint%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec28=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Office%20Mobile\Excel%20Mobile.lnk&END
&appsexec29=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Adobe%20Reader%20LE%20.lnk&END
&appsexec30=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Meldingsfunksjoner.lnk&END
&appsexec31=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Kameraalbum.lnk&END
&appsexec32=\windows\calculator.exe&END
&appsexec33=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Lydbehandling.lnk&END
&appsexec34=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\FM-radio.lnk&END
&appsexec35=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Taleopptak.lnk&END
&appsexec36=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Messenger.lnk&END
&appsexec37=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\HurtigGPS.lnk&END
&appsexec38=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Resco%20Registry.lnk&END
&appsexec39=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\Comm%20Manager.lnk&END
&appsexec40=\Windows\Startmeny\Programmer\SKTools.lnk&END
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does anyone know what the english version of these paths are?

woodicw said:
does anyone know what the english version of these paths are?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For example, &appsexec4=\windows\wmplayer.exe&END refers to my windows media player. If you either look through the folders of your device from your computer or look through your file explorer on your device you can find the path to just about every program and link it correctly to the proper button. So, you insert the proper path aft this part, &appsexec4=

helppp dude i love this program i just need some help

jak3n3al said:
helppp dude i love this program i just need some help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to copy the input.txt file from the iTask folder on your phone and paste that copy somewhere on your computer to begin modifying.

Don't know why??
Don't know why, but this would not work for me:
\\These are the execute-buttons in the following order from top left. Lnk and exe files accepted.
&settingsexec1=\itask\Memory.lnk&END
&settingsexec2=\itask\Backlight.lnk&END
&settingsexec3=\itask\Connections.lnk&END
&settingsexec4=\itask\Power.lnk&END
&settingsexec5=\itask\Screen.lnk&END
&settingsexec6=\itask\Today.lnk&END
&settingsexec7=\itask\Remove Programs.lnk&END
&settingsexec8=\itask\Clock.lnk&END
&settingsexec9=\itask\Buttons.lnk&END
&settingsexec10=\itask\Input.lnk&END
But this does:
\\These are the execute-buttons in the following order from top left. Lnk and exe files accepted.
&settingsexec1=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Memory.lnk&END
&settingsexec2=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Backlight.lnk&END
&settingsexec3=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Connections.lnk&END
&settingsexec4=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Power.lnk&END
&settingsexec5=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Screen.lnk&END
&settingsexec6=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Today.lnk&END
&settingsexec7=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Remove%20Programs.lnk&END
&settingsexec8=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Clock.lnk&END
&settingsexec9=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Buttons.lnk&END
&settingsexec10=\windows\start%20menu\programs\links\Input.lnk&END

The first set starting with \itask work for me. The only one that doesn't is the link to backlight setting. The ones that work for you from the \windows\start%20menu don't work at all. Thanks for your input though.

rde34 said:
The first set starting with \itask work for me. The only one that doesn't is the link to backlight setting. The ones that work for you from the \windows\start%20menu don't work at all. Thanks for your input though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you able to update the weather and news without being connected via active sync?

okay who here has itask completely working i have questions for them

rde first of all do you have an instant messanger name so you could help me figure this out quicker?
if not here are my issues i downloaded itask the other day and only a few programs worked the rest were screen shots how do i change it so it goes directly to the program?
i tried changing some things in input and saved but no changes occured

Some Help
This is a great application, which once you get used to is straight forward, if a little time consuming to set up. Half the fun for me is working out things that I don't really understand. I have the original input text file open alongside the one that I'm configuring. You just have to find the section in the input text relating to the icon your trying to link, and after the = add the path for the application you want that icon to open. The path can be found in Explorer (or better still Resco Explorer) on your device. Most applications are found in Windows, Start Menu, Programs. This is what you type into the input text file in itask, remembering a space has to be replaced by %20 and that the text has to be exactly the same as on your device.
So, if you want to assign a program (say File Explorer) on your device to the first icon on the Apps page of itask (ie when you launch itask, click the 3rd icon along which says Apps, the first button is in the top left of the new screen and has a smiley face on it) alter the text in the input.txt file of itask after &appstext1="\Windows\Start%20Menu\Programs\File%20Explorer.Ink&END" Don't use the " " I've included them to show what you should type. When you close input.txt and restart itask, the smiley face button in Apps will open File Explorer. And so on until you've linked an icon to each program you want to open.

Hello
If I start a program always comes shortly after another top ;-( (
How can I change that?
Orbit 2 (HTC) WM 6

max-es said:
Hello
If I start a program always comes shortly after another top ;-( (
How can I change that?
Orbit 2 (HTC) WM 6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "another top" program you see is nothing but a screenshot, you can replace it by changing *loadpic*.jpg to any other picture you want, or if you want your application to open immediately, change your *loadtime configuration in input.txt to 0.

Open Source Today Screen Widgets app

There are a lot of clock area today screen apps out there, from the simple such as PDClock, through mid-level stuff like HTC home, up to the fully customizable rlToday.
Few of these seem to be a good all-round solution though, except maybe rlToday, but I am having issues with the rlToday / Sys-to-Reg / Mortscript combo, both in terms of features (ie no support for "on" or "off" images), stability, and ease-of install (S2R seems a bugger to set up right, especially for the less technically inclined user), and the whole rlToday / S2R / Mortscript combo is hardly a turnkey one-install solution.
So to that end, I decided to try my hand at crafting a solution more appropriate to my needs.
Now, until this point I have never coded for C++ or windows mobile. I am not even a professional coder, far from it, but I do have a knack for designing good solutions, so I thought I would start teaching myself native C++ and see what I could come up with. Ultimately, my goal is to release as open source, I am hoping to maybe start a sourceforge project at some point...
I am making this post because I am now starting to get past the proof-of-concept stage and am coming up with some working code. I am tackling the various hurdles one by one and learning as I go, but it is starting to look promising.
This thread is to serve two purposes:
1) Gather my thoughts on how things are going to work so potential users can chime in on possible tweaks or changes to the features and how they should work.
2) Serve as a rallying call for any (preferably more experienced) coders who wish to get involved. I will post up any problems that I am having surmounting various issues, please feel free to help out on those. If an experienced coder liked the project that much and wanted to take the lead, I have no issues with that, as long as it remained open source.
So, with that out the way, here is what I am thinking so far:
Overall idea is pretty similar to rlToday - a script (ie a .INI or .XML file) which lists Widgets is processed and the result is drawn on the screen.
For example, here is an example INI file for a background (say transparent) PNG with a clock overlaid in the middle of the PNG, that has different layouts / images for portrait and landscape mode on a qVGA device.
Code:
;ini profile for qVGA (240 width and 320 width)
;PORTRAIT
[PortBG]
width=240
widget=image
clickable=0;
image="bgport.png"
x=0
y=0
[PortClock]
width=240
widget=text
subwidget=clock
clickable=1
clicktype=exe
clickstring="<exe to launch calendar>"
dateformat = "dddd MMMM d"
x=120
y=25
origin="cc"
;LANDSCAPE
[LandBG]
width=320
widget=image
clickable=0
image="bgland.png"
x=0
y=0
[LandClock]
width=320
widget=text
subwidget=clock
clickable=1
clicktype=exe
clickstring="<exe to launch calendar>"
dateformat = "dddd MMMM d"
x=160
y=25
origin="cc"
The [Name] of each section actually does nothing, but it will be useful in debugging / error messages ("Image for [PortBG] not found!").
Widget = choses which kind of widget it is (eg Image, Text)
subwidget = choses the subtype of widget (eg clock is a subtype of text)
The Width= entry is an idea I came up with to handle multiple screen orientations and resolutions within one profile. Basically, as this is not intended to be a full-screen app, the only relevant dimension is the screen width. Each widget therefore has an associated width. When the screen is rendered, it will check what the current width is and only render widgets that match that width. Furthermore, if a script has entries for resolutions not supported by your device, these will be ignored. Profiles are likely to be a directory with one .INI file and assorted images. Images can be in subdirectories, say grouped by width (ie a "240" dir and a "320" dir for qVGA) - that way you could release a skin as one zipped dir that supported all devices and resolutions, and you would not need to upload the "480" and "640" dirs to a qVGA device, thus saving storage space.
Each widget also has x/y coords, which usually refer to the top left, but the origin entry can change that (eg cc would be centre horizontally and vertically)
Each widget will also be able to be specified as clickable, with options as to what to do when it is clicked.
With this system it should be possible to create most things, however, here is what I am currently NOT planning on doing:
I am not aiming at offering tabbed pages of widgets, or an easy way to change widgets without writing a new script. This is aimed at a companion to something like UltimateLaunch for handling the top of the screen - a Clock, SMS / Missed Calls / VM messages, BT / WiFi status and toggles etc.
I am currently using VS2005 and the WM5 SDK, but the app is still so simple that this could probably be changed. I would like to support as much as possible, but am not overly worried about providing backwards compatibility beyond WM5. I am using Native Win32 - I want to avoid as much bloat as I can.

Planned features:
Per-pixel Alpha PNGs - IMPLIMENTED
Widgets parsed from INI - IMPLIMENTED
Parse only items from INI that match screen caps - IMPLIMENTED
Display only items that match current screen width - IMPLIMENTED (Effectively switch profile on screen orientation change)
Options screen to set current profile
Widgets
======
Text Type: - IMPLIMENTED
Source: String in INI - IMPLIMENTED
Source: String in Registry
Source: Date from format string - IMPLIMENTED
Image type: - IMPLIMENTED
Plain image - IMPLIMENTED
Status Image - Registry value
Toggles - BlueTooth / WiFi / Phone etc
Other features
===========
Multiple screen resolutions supported per INI - IMPLIMENTED
Detect Power but no Activesync - Allow enabling of BlueTooth for automatic pairing with in-car BT handsfree.

Current questions and stumbling blocks:
Having issues finding a lightweight way of displaying per-pixel alpha PNGs. Current thinking is that AlphaBlend is perfectly capable of doing the blending, it is just SHLoadImageFile that is stripping the alpha info.
See threads here and here
Not sure how I am going to handle toggling of BT / WiFi. Could use VJ's tool, but I would rather do it in my code. Any pointers on how to do it and maintain maximum WM5 / WM6 compatibility would be appreciated - VJ's tool will not toggle WiFi on my Kaiser anyway...
Could do with decent chop and chomp routines (split by char and remove leading / trailing whitespace) - does anyone know an easy way to do this in native code?
Need to work out how to find the size of a text string in pixels *before* it gets drawn to the screen with ExtTextOut
Need to impliment a date format string to text string converter that can handle date and time objects in the same string
Currently I use a bit of code to look at the string and pass it to either GetDateFormat or GetTimeFormat, but not split the string and pass relevant bits to relevant routine, then reassemble.
Need to make whole thing a today item, but delaying doing this as it seems that debugging will be harder? I also guess this would be quite easy, so I am planning on leaving this until near the end. Any advice on this subject would be appreciated.

I am interested in this. I don't know C++, but I have experience coding with other computer languages. I'll definitely be following this thread and watching for updates.

iContact source contains some pretty lightweight INI library. It isn't written by me, and it's called SimpleIni. Everything is contained in one .h file and it's very easy to use.
good luck,
larna

larna said:
iContact source contains some pretty lightweight INI library. It isn't written by me, and it's called SimpleIni. Everything is contained in one .h file and it's very easy to use.
good luck,
larna
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one, thanks

I got simpleini in and working - you were right larna, it was really easy and pain-free. Thanks!

Update:
I have a working prototype.
All basic functionality coded - text and image widget types, orientation switching, ini parsing...
Currently still not a today item, and there is loads to do in terms of error checking and freeing up memory etc, but it parses INI files OK
Once I have done some tidying up, I will release some source and maybe a demo EXE.

Hey!!
I'm already developing an application which load and extends rlToday Themes!
sources will be released soon!
The app is XIAMultitheme:
Done:
- fully working rltoday themes on a HWND
- done today plugin
- loading external dll
- all widgets are external dll
To do:
- avoid image loading via ImageFactory due to memory leak on wm6x
- port to CxImage to load PNG
- use AAROT to free rotate images (analog clock)
- today plugin does not load the engine yet
http://www.xiaprojects.com/?section=All&project=XIAMultiTheme
what do you think? mail me on priv (stefano) on xiaprojects.com

stefanux said:
Hey!!
I'm already developing an application which load and extends rlToday Themes!
sources will be released soon!
The app is XIAMultitheme:
Done:
- fully working rltoday themes on a HWND
- done today plugin
- loading external dll
- all widgets are external dll
To do:
- avoid image loading via ImageFactory due to memory leak on wm6x
- port to CxImage to load PNG
- use AAROT to free rotate images (analog clock)
- today plugin does not load the engine yet
http://www.xiaprojects.com/?section=All&project=XIAMultiTheme
what do you think? mail me on priv (stefano) on xiaprojects.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi stefano
i see nothing on your web site , nor screenshots nothing in download binaries
Why ???

evilc said:
Update:
I have a working prototype.
All basic functionality coded - text and image widget types, orientation switching, ini parsing...
Currently still not a today item, and there is loads to do in terms of error checking and freeing up memory etc, but it parses INI files OK
Once I have done some tidying up, I will release some source and maybe a demo EXE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you upload here the demo program ?

Sounds pretty neat!
I don't understand some of the terminology you use, but I think you may be talking about a feature I had an idea for:
profiles (XML files) can be associated with a today plugin such that you can make a profile appear in the today plugins list for each skin (XML file) you have installed - thus making each XML profile behave like it was a today plugin in it's own right.
Is that what you are talking about?

brunoisa10 said:
can you upload here the demo program ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Demo uploaded to first post. Unzip it to \Storage Card\shared on your device and run.
BE AWARE, there is very little error checking when parsing the INI.
If you omit a horizres line for any widget, for example, the program will crash.

Well I checked out XIAMultiTheme and it looks promising.
I was not aware that there was a memory leak bug in IImagefactory, I wasn't planning on using it in the final version anyway, so no biggie.
If XIAMultiTheme is capable of doing what I had envisaged for openClock, I will probably stop development, as you obviously know what you are doing much more than I do
However, a couple of points:
1) Size.
XIAMultiTheme seems to be a lot bigger and requires .NET - This seems to mainly be to do with the CxImage library - just PNG support seems to add more size than my entire app is! I am flabberghasted that supporting per-pixel Alpha PNGs takes this much, an alphablend routine can be done in a K or two, hundreds seems overkill. Apart from the requirement for rotation (for analogue clocks) I do not see why a full image lib is needed. Just a load and alpha blit.
2) Orientation awareness.
As in I don't see any in XIAMultiTheme. I am really happy with the way I have handled this in openClock - each item in the INI (XML in your case) has a "horizres" value associated with it. At render time, current screen width is compared to each item's horizres and if it matches, the item is drawn, if it doesn't then it isn't shown.
This provides a nice way to combine portrait, landscape and multi-res capabilities into one theme. And as long as you allow relative paths in the theme(eg 320\320bg.png, 240\240bg.png, common\common.png) then you can have a theme which supports all resolutions and orientations, and allow the user to store what they want on their PPC (eg if their device is qVGA, they know they do not need to put the 640 and 480 dirs on their PPC for a given theme, as they won't be used)
3) Stateful buttons.
Items like a voicemail button / wifi button etc should probably have two images associated with them - one for "no messages", one for "have messages". I was planning on putting something in openClock along the lines of specifying a reg key, an operator and an image.
eg:
regkey=HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\...
on=thisimage.png, gt, 0
off=thatimage.png
To set to thisimage if the key is of value greater than (gt) 0 or thatimage.png if not.
Good luck!

evilc said:
just PNG support seems to add more size than my entire app is!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Same goes for MortButtons... (and MortPlayer, but there, the player itself is bigger in relation...)
I am flabberghasted that supporting per-pixel Alpha PNGs takes this much, an alphablend routine can be done in a K or two, hundreds seems overkill.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The alphablend routine is in the Draw method, and even in source code not much more than 1kB.
The trouble is to load the PNG without losing the alpha information. With Windows' API, you can't do it - there's only the crippled SHLoadImage. So you need the entire code to decode PNGs, i.e. libpng, which in return requires zlib - over 200kB only to load PNG! The remaining kBs are spend to load/decode JPEG (quite some kBs, too), GIF (if enabled), BMP, ... and some basic image processing (resample, rotate, ...).
btw, you might want to check MortImg.dll and MortImage.lib, which is a (quite) simple wrapper. If only one image library is used, at least some memory on the device is saved (and if MortButtons or MortPlayer since b72 is used, also main memory).
Check out http://mort.svnrepository.com/svn/mort/MortTools/trunk with any SVN client (e.g. Tortoise), use "guest" for login and password.

evilc said:
Well I checked out XIAMultiTheme and it looks promising.
I was not aware that there was a memory leak bug in IImagefactory, I wasn't planning on using it in the final version anyway, so no biggie.
If XIAMultiTheme is capable of doing what I had envisaged for openClock, I will probably stop development, as you obviously know what you are doing much more than I do
However, a couple of points:
1) Size.
XIAMultiTheme seems to be a lot bigger and requires .NET - This seems to mainly be to do with the CxImage library - just PNG support seems to add more size than my entire app is! I am flabberghasted that supporting per-pixel Alpha PNGs takes this much, an alphablend routine can be done in a K or two, hundreds seems overkill. Apart from the requirement for rotation (for analogue clocks) I do not see why a full image lib is needed. Just a load and alpha blit.
2) Orientation awareness.
As in I don't see any in XIAMultiTheme. I am really happy with the way I have handled this in openClock - each item in the INI (XML in your case) has a "horizres" value associated with it. At render time, current screen width is compared to each item's horizres and if it matches, the item is drawn, if it doesn't then it isn't shown.
This provides a nice way to combine portrait, landscape and multi-res capabilities into one theme. And as long as you allow relative paths in the theme(eg 320\320bg.png, 240\240bg.png, common\common.png) then you can have a theme which supports all resolutions and orientations, and allow the user to store what they want on their PPC (eg if their device is qVGA, they know they do not need to put the 640 and 480 dirs on their PPC for a given theme, as they won't be used)
3) Stateful buttons.
Items like a voicemail button / wifi button etc should probably have two images associated with them - one for "no messages", one for "have messages". I was planning on putting something in openClock along the lines of specifying a reg key, an operator and an image.
eg:
regkey=HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\...
on=thisimage.png, gt, 0
off=thatimage.png
To set to thisimage if the key is of value greater than (gt) 0 or thatimage.png if not.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks you for your good words
1) beta version will be lighter ... (need to known what image loader use)
2) will be done on Page component (tab themes are already working)
3) will be done on sensor dll with "regex" (maybe)
XIAMultiTheme is in alpha development...
I would like to "merge" code with you or may be DLL collaboration.
XIAMultiTheme does NOT need .NET it's low level GDI "C" source
When XIAMultiTheme go on Beta status the dll will be around 10kb
Configurator is .net
Thanks you

Thanks for that mort!
However, if my entire app is (currently) 61K and it supports per-pixel alpha PNGs (Via the apparently bugged IImagefactory), then surely it is more than possible in less than 100K.
It seems like libpng must be grotesquely bloated for our needs. In an ideal world, someone would re-code SHLoadImage to not lose the alpha channel for PNGs. Maybe a workaround would be to convert the PNG into a 32bit per-pixel BMP with alpha before it is passed to SHLoadImage, as SHLoadImage deals with alpha BMPs just fine and AlphaBlend works just fine with AC_SRC_ALPHA data.

stefanux said:
thanks you for your good words
1) beta version will be lighter ... (need to known what image loader use)
2) will be done on Page component (tab themes are already working)
3) will be done on sensor dll with "regex" (maybe)
XIAMultiTheme is in alpha development...
I would like to "merge" code with you or may be DLL collaboration.
XIAMultiTheme does NOT need .NET it's low level GDI "C" source
When XIAMultiTheme go on Beta status the dll will be around 10kb
Configurator is .net
Thanks you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi stef,
I am more than happy to help out on your project with design ideas, testing and proofreading of english translations.
I have plenty of ideas on what the ultimate today screen widget app should feature, I just had to set my sights lower due to my (lack of) coding abilities.
Do you have a forum or something on your site? I don't see one.
I am slightly concerned about point (3) and your regex example. I would maybe try and keep it simpler, XML is already a little complicated for non-technical users to understand, throwing regexs into the mix may be the straw that broke the camel's back. That's why I went with INI files - simpler to use for lusers

evilc said:
Thanks for that mort!
... it supports per-pixel alpha PNGs (Via the apparently bugged IImagefactory), ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please try to do this test:
load 20 png's with imgfact. and start drawing all of them like a simple animation for 10 fps... image[]->Draw() after 5 minutes my application will blow up my pda (wm61) I thinks it's a "COM" bug because it happend only calling "Draw"

stefanux said:
Please try to do this test:
load 20 png's with imgfact. and start drawing all of them like a simple animation for 10 fps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you kidding??? 10FPS? I have a kaiser!
Seriously though, if we can get a code snippet that proves this, surely we can get MS to issue a patch?

GSlide 0.3 - Now with MortSupport :)

Hi Everyone
Try my new GSlide version which has built in MortScript plugin support
http://81.93.138.210/GSlide
I bet you can make some cool things with this
Also please try to make some skins. Still have some bugs in the skinning support but it works pretty well
Give me comments!
Ciao,
Lars

hallo, just found this. a smooth and fast fingerfriendly file explorer. very good.
but here are my problems:
- can´t open a txt-file file or xml file, but need a text editor, is it possible to link these files to totalcommander ?
- the app crashes (unexpected error)when i try to open the "windows" folder and "own videos"-folder ?
- what are these functions/apps at the right bottom ?
thanks for help. if you want i can do a skin for it.

bluemetalaxe said:
hallo, just found this. a smooth and fast fingerfriendly file explorer. very good.
but here are my problems:
- can´t open a txt-file file or xml file, but need a text editor, is it possible to link these files to totalcommander ?
- the app crashes (unexpected error)when i try to open the "windows" folder and "own videos"-folder ?
- what are these functions/apps at the right bottom ?
thanks for help. if you want i can do a skin for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It actually used Word Mobile by default when i tried openning a text file.
it runs very very smoothly. nice interface. very simple and straightforward.
obviously just a beginning as there's no copy, paste, cut... advanced config and other options. maybe a small kinetic toolbar throttlelauncher like with the most important actions on it?... just throwing stuff in the air.
very very cool.

nice start...
implement what already been stated + maybe some smoother transitions.

I love your program. It'll probably be a free alternative for Resco Explorer in the future. Keep developing and listen to user feedback.
One feaute request: I'd like to have the option of row height. This program will mainly be used with thumbs and not everyone has the same thumb size.

@nir: i know i can open txt-file with word but i rewrite xmls and txt-files for programming.
anyone elso has a crash when opening windows folder ?

Hi
Thanks for your feedback!
First of all, replace the old installation with the new 0.3 version.
Regarding opening files:
By default GSlide uses shell execute, which is to say the default windows association for the file type.
By adding the MortSupport feature i have made it possible for you to add custom actions by writing or modifying scripts in the actions folder. Read more on the site
GSlide has problems with large folders such as the windows folder. The memory runs out. This can be handled by paging the directory (splitting it up into several pages).
Regarding errors for the context shortcuts, its mostly due to different file paths in the operating system. In the swedish version for example My Documents is called Mina Dokument... Go to the /GSlide/actions/ folder and edit the "GSlidePath.mscr.inc" file which is the place where all system paths are stored. There you can change the paths according to your config.
Regarding skins:
Lot of updates have been made such as,
- row height
- background color
- font
- font weight
- etc...
I will keep updating GSlide with many cool things Help me to write cool script actions! Post to web maybe?
Dont forget to use the latest version!
Ciao,
Lars

New API script for all GSliders
I made a new, more logical API include to make developing of actions easier.
I have also added a "copy file" and "delete file" action as proof-of-concept.
the GSlideAPI script is pretty nifty if I might say so it implements a Object-Oriented looking code style to MortScript. check it out
Ciao

Just tried it and it seems to run pretty smooth. I am sure this is just the beginning for this app. With time this could be something very useful and great. Good job so far

Some suggestions for new versions:
- possibility to show the taskbar
- scrolling looks good, BUT it is a little bit difficult to stop the list and click on the right file - perhaps you could build in a gesture to stop (e.g. short tap on screen => stop)
- of course such basic things like "rename", "send" etc. (file size...)
BUT GREAT WORK! GSlide is a tool which fills another gap for a fingerfriendly Windows Mobile
Thx
Melkor

edit: Nevermind

Updated version coming shortly
hi
New GSlide on the way soon. I have been focusing on getting friendly with MortScript for the last couple of days
I will make a new actions menu with improved usability and make it possible for an action to span several steps (such as copying or moving files to other directories). the pure UI bling and skinning related stuff will have to wait a bit
Please give me feedback concerning the MortScript API.
Ciao