Database Users

New Version of Pocket Informant ready to go

Have a look over at http://www.pocketinformant.com/Forums/index.php?showtopic=8904&st=0 for the latest (Release Candidate) of Pocket Informant.
Its well worth installing as it has a much smaller memory footprint (see the discusion in the forum above), and seems a lot faster to me. Also if you can find any bugs, make sure you post them into the forum.... I found one yesturday, and its been fixed already.
The guys at Web IS seem to have done a great job (and no, I'm not linked to them in any way.... its just that their product makes the PDA calendar features usable!!!)
Regards
P

Oh !£@[email protected]!&&! Installed this and now my right soft-key won't bring up the internal (default) contact program (which is so much better than the one in pocketinformant). Anyone know how to change it back? I managed it before but no amount of registry changing seems to work now

I'm not an expert on this, but one suggestion I would make is that you tap on the PI icon on the bottom of the screen (the red dot surrounded by a multicolour ring) and de-select "Make Default PIM" ... this then makes all the MSFT links work with the MSFT apps rather than PI... hope this helps
P

BudgieUK said:
I'm not an expert on this, but one suggestion I would make is that you tap on the PI icon on the bottom of the screen (the red dot surrounded by a multicolour ring) and de-select "Make Default PIM" ... this then makes all the MSFT links work with the MSFT apps rather than PI... hope this helps
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is one of the beefs I (and several others) have with PI, and AF for that matter, which seem to fall on deaf ears in their cosy cartel. Why won't they let the user choose which modules they want to use, instead of their software taking over the whole machine?
If you installed a non-MS planner on your Desktop PC, you wouldn't stand for it replacing all your other PIM apps too. So why should you on the PocketPC?

There is a page in the wiki that shows the registry settings for the soft keys, but I found this method unreliable. I managed to change the text but the app remained at the default setting.
The way I did it was to download Buzz's SoftKeyAppletEx, which goes into your control panel [you do need to register to download the file].
Code:
Description:
This is a replacement applet for the SoftKeyApplet.cpl. I called it SoftKeyAppletEx.cpl (to be original) ;)
This applet does exactly the same thing, but with more features
1. you can browse your ppc to get the desired application or link dedicated to the soft key.
2. you can change the name shown on the soft key.
3. you can place the applet icon on the settings tab you want (personal, system, connections).
4. you can specify only one soft key (left or right) or both
5. you can reset to defaults, so I think it's the phone and the calendar

That's really useful stuff - thanks!
As others have said, I want to use PI for my Diary but the built-in contacts application - which is far better for quick dialling etc.
I still have a problem though - PI seems to have replaced my /Windows/poutlook.lnk file with its own, so if I make the right soft-button point to this file it still runs PI. Can anyone send me their default contacts.lnk file (and possibly poutlook.exe too?) or tell me how to make a new link to the default contacts application (which I assume must still be in ROM?)
Thanks all. Love PI but this hijacking on my contacts is really annoying!

PReDiToR said:
The way I did it was to download Buzz's SoftKeyAppletEx, which goes into your control panel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where'd you put the file? What control panel are u taliking about? Help is appreciated.

BudgieUK said:
I'm not an expert on this, but one suggestion I would make is that you tap on the PI icon on the bottom of the screen (the red dot surrounded by a multicolour ring) and de-select "Make Default PIM" ... this then makes all the MSFT links work with the MSFT apps rather than PI... hope this helps
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this and I can report some success. I use PocketBreeze on the Today screen which is tightly linked to PI. Nothing I say here is relevant if you don't use PocketBreeze.
Now, with PI the non-default PIM, my PocketBreeze links take me to PI's calendar, tasks and contacts applications. My hardware contacts button and the contacts soft key in the phone now take me to Pocket Outlook's contacts app.
Couple of caveats: PI does seem to revert to being the default PIM after a soft reset. Also, the 'special days' feature in PB (lists upcoming birthdays and anniversaries) seems to grow duplicate entries over time, but these can be cleared with a soft reset. It's never worked properly for me anyway so could be unrelated.
I have yet to see any problems syncing. I do expect it to work OK as I believe that PO and PI run off the same database.
Hope this helps those with PB and PI.
-- TK

Lovely program, but the last few versions hae been a complete dog speed wise.

belfast-biker said:
Lovely program, but the last few versions hae been a complete dog speed wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Rev 4 was often very slooowww, although I had installed it in RAM. But this new version is different. The footprint is much smaller in WM5.
But although I have installed the new version entirely on the storage card, it is MUCH FASTER now!
I found some other improvements too, like the timeline now shows you total hours for your different projects, and there is a real fullscreen option now.
Didn't find any bugs so far, but I just downloaded it two days ago.
Cheers and thanks to this great forum! I have benefitted a lot already from the tips and tricks posted here
itoma

iDeas for touch orientated applications

I would like to start by saying that I am no longer a Coder.
I am really impressed by Tene for his Contact Manager. Such a simple and effective design is to be admired.
So I wondered what else could be done by clever coders?
Here are just some ideas...perhaps others will flesh them out, mock them, or better them:
Calendar viewer
using the same interface it could be possible to flick through our calendar entries...the a-z menu perhaps replaced by days of the week. Instead of favourites maybe that screen could be a new appointment creation screen.
Task Manager
similar to calendar manager but for tasks...
Picture Viewer
Again same basic interface but now using thumbnails instead of names...
Music Player/Manager
Perhaps even mp3s could be served up in the same manner...flicking through playlists selecting one and then going into the right hand detail screen to flick through the tracks...
I am struggling to find an easy program that allows me to quickly create an ordered playlist from disparate albums.
File Manager
Imagine flicking through the directory structure and manipulating files by fingers...
I just thought it would be good to start a thread of ideas for members to make touch orientated program suggestions.
not the least to Tene...
All the best,
Sam

Just thought I would raise the post again in case anyone was interested in adding ideas...
All the best,
Sam

"Finger Friendly" Apps--Requests and Rundown

Despite the recent "Touch" fad, many of us have been trying to reduce our reliance on the stylus for quite a while. I'd like to use this thread to compile a list of all "finger-friendly" apps, or log requests for apps to help spur their development. Don't forget to include hints if you have to configure an app a certain way to make it finger friendly. Many of these are in development already in this forum, so I thought it a good place to host this thread...
Here's what I use/know about:
PocketCM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=320544) extremely useful for managing contacts. Active developer frequently makes updates. Good work tene!
PocketCM Keyboard (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=321712) separate app from one above just for keyboard entry. Looks promising.
cLaunch--freeware today plug-in for launching apps. Hasn't been in development for a while, but still useful and free! Many options to configure the layout as big as you want.
phoneAlarm (www.pocketmax.net)--a today plug-in to handle notifications. Active skinning community keeps the look changing all the time. With certain skins this can be finger friendly.
WM5NewMenu (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=255580) configurable menu application that does a whole lot more than just start new contacts/notes. With liberal use of the "separator" item to spread out your entries, this can be very useful. Excellent app by Saman-cz.
Total Commander--file explorer replacement. Still requires the stylus for all functions, but when the mode is set to Show > Large Icons you can navigate folders pretty well with your digits.
Slide2Unlock (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=314703) basically a device lock. Some find this annoying, but its a quality implementation by A_C.
TouchNav (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=327102&highlight=touchnav) for finger-friendly folder navigating. Looking forward to more development!
Unnamed app for quickly adding appointment or reviewing calendar (It was just a matter of time).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=326891

FreeStyl: A flash-based interface for WM5 and WM6 devices that is inspired by the iphone interface. Formerly known as whoneedsaniphone and can be found at http://www.whoneedsaniphone.com

I really find that with the Touch, I hardly ever use a stylus anymore. It really has to do with the flush screen.
This is why even if you put the ToucFLO onto a different HTC phone, you still don't get the hard and flush screen. I used the TouchFLO on a Hermes and it just wasn't the same.

mortbuttons

HButton you can map 6 apps on 1 one button

thnks
i like this, i've been trying to get a good iphone interface on my ppc for some time now, this helps! thnks alot..

SPB just re-did PocketPlus, incorporating a lot of touch-flow capabilities to explorer, PIE, contacts (I prefer PockerCM), and other apps. Costs, but looks interesting!!!!

That's right, Hbutton is a pretty powerful app, I only have Pocket Breeze on my main screen (I use WAD), cause I can launch 90% of the apps I need through the Hardware buttons.
I just installed FTouchFlo, and I like it a lot, it lets me scroll using my finger instead of the scrollbars.
Soooooo Cooool!

Can someone develop this? - Finger friendly EZTask application

Firstly, I am not sure if this is the correct place to post this request, if not, please move this to another section.
I use the standard WM Task program a lot. I keep track of what I want to buy, eg. my weekly groceries as well as things to do. I know I can use ThumbCal to do this but they are all 'date' related.
All I want is just a simple Task program which works like the standard Windows Mobile version but the standard one is not finger friendly. I hate using the stylus when I am pushing my shopping cart.
I do not hv experience in PPC programming, can anyone help to develop something like this? I am sure it will be useful for others who is in the same situation like I do.
The characteristic of the program works similarly like iContact. It has kenetic scroll, can easily add a new task, a huge button to press on when it is completed (light-greyish wording when done). The screen is just a simple example of what I have in mind.
Thanks.

Have you tried any of these??
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=16939&associateid=9
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=15206&associateid=9
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=6075&associateid=9
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=2040&associateid=9
They are all freeware as well.
BTW gogle is your friend. I did a quick search and came up with TONS of related freeware that does this already.

Wow... thanks! Honestly, I tried googling before but I can't find anything. Will check out what you've suggested.
Look thru quickly, only the first one is finger friendly but the rest needed stylus-access. Will test out then.

Tasks software

Hello!
Anybody know any good tasks software out there? I searched and searched and couldn't find anything that suits me. Either too many useless additional features, or they simply look bad.
I'm looking for something like the old Memento on the even older Nokia 3310, if anybody remembers it, but more customizable. And maybe with a today plugin too.
My dream would be an additional Tasks tab in touchflo3d, but I'm guessing that will remain in it's dream state.
Any ideas? Thanks!
Take care!

gordonfr said:
Hello!
Anybody know any good tasks software out there? I searched and searched and couldn't find anything that suits me. Either too many useless additional features, or they simply look bad.
I'm looking for something like the old Memento on the even older Nokia 3310, if anybody remembers it, but more customizable. And maybe with a today plugin too.
My dream would be an additional Tasks tab in touchflo3d, but I'm guessing that will remain in it's dream state.
Any ideas? Thanks!
Take care!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
I have got 2 questions for you:
1) Do you mean a TaskManager to quit running programs or do you mean an application for tasks like Outlook tasks?
2) I don't know the programs you have written about. Do you need a kind of "Touch Task" app?

no, not task manager, tasks as in "to do" list. simple, plain task list. organizer style. like the built-in tasks application in winmobile, but more (MORE) user friendly. that one just doesn't do the trick for me.

gordonfr said:
Hello!
Anybody know any good tasks software out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using Pocket Informant and Agenda Fusion, but according to your question - too complicated with no convenient "touch interface". Now I'm using http://www.sbsh.net/products/windows_mobile_pocket_pc/calendar_touch
I'm interesting in other suggestions...

gordonfr said:
My dream would be an additional Tasks tab in touchflo3d, but I'm guessing that will remain in it's dream state.
Take care!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately - yes, it is

Hi,
I've been searching for the same thing but haven't really found one.
I really like the Task2Gather https://task2gather.com/site/windows-mobile-task-management.html
But since they don't support offline mode it's pretty much useless...
They are working on an offline version but when I emailed them they are only planning for the Iphone version... Maybe if more people email them about the Windows version they will put more effort in it.

thanks, i tried calendar touch, but it still is too complex... nevertheless, it's not bad. and that task 2 gather... why only online? i don't see the point. shopping lists, ok, and what else?i'm not looking for a tool designed for bussiness agents or corporations, i'm just looking for a simple tasks list.
don't get me wrong, i'm not mad at you. thanks, anyway.

What's wrong with the standard tasks program?
I'm pretty happy with SPB Diary, which is a today plugin rather than a stand-alone application. It acts as a front-end for pocket outlook & tasks and is nicely customisable. It integrates nicely with SPB Weather and works best when combined with Pocket Plus.

Personally I've tried a lot of task organizers, I feel better with tasks shown in tree structure so I found an excelent freeware application for Pc "To-do List" (http://abstractspoon.pbworks.com/) that I synchronise with "my life organized" on my PPC (http://www.mylifeorganized.net/)
I hope will help...

task
Hello,
I am using that one : http://www.mabware.com/
Very simple, but very flexible;
i like it!

I've tried lots of calendars out over time and do you know I find thumbcal the best. The new version is fast and simple to use and looks nice and clean.The task page of it is a must have for me

thanks a lot for your feed-back. i can't believe that, even though i searched for something like those apps, i didn't find them. i think i'm going with my life organized. even though it's a bit more complex than i need, it has a lot of functionality. thanks again!