Database Users

Dial PPC from Outlook

I have been searching the web for years trying to find the solution to what I would consider is a very simple requirement:
From Outlook on the PC, right click on a contact and dial to a connected Pocket PC via Activesync.
Now, either I am alone in this world, or my search capabilities are flawed. This is a function/capability I used to have with my old Sony-Ericsson & I am missing it badly - yes, I know there is a Powertool that provides you with a "window" to your PPC, but I have found that this is somewhat flakey, doesnt like Landscape mode and frequenly freezes the PPC.
Further, I have enhanced my Access application to perform the dialup via the CPROG.exe, what I am after is the same or similar functionality direct from Outlook... please help!
Is there anyone out there that can help me?

looking for the same
it seems we both live in the same world

Come on guys, are you really telling me there isn't anything out there at all?

err so remind me why one would want to do this other than to write some annoying dialer program?

OK, rather simple, really:
Working from Desktop PC, with PPC connected via ActiveSync and sitting in a cradle - by definition, this makes it a pain to access the PPC.
Current Scenario:
1. PC has Outlook open, search for a contact that you wish to converse with
2. Open Contact
3. Look at number
4. Lean over desk, usually spilling coffee, or unintentionally moving to another website
5. Try to use Stylus to dial number (or use Intellidialer to access the same contact you have in Outlook)
6. Make call
7. Hope you have put in the right number
8. Call goes to voicemail, throw phone against wall
All in all, a rather cumbersome scenario.
Preferred Scenario:
1. PC has Outlook open, search for a contact that you wish to converse with
2. Open Contact, or right click on Contact
3. Select number to dial
4. "Magical programme" sends dial request to PPC
5. Make call
6. Call answered, sale made, kids go to expensive Private School and Wife loves you forever
Makes sense now?

yep so get one of those programs to control your phone from the desktop?
sure its not what you really want to do but it will do the job

st3v3 said:
yep so get one of those programs to control your phone from the desktop?
sure its not what you really want to do but it will do the job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever read his first post?

yeah for about 4 or 5 seconds, gave pity and responded for the simple fact no one else did and thought i would show some interest.
at least some of us make an attempt eh helterskelter

Thanks for your pity, but I would prefer to know what, if anything, is out there. Obviously, I was mistaken in believing this was the font of all wisdom and exciting development in the PPC world. I truly cant believe that nobody has thought to put this together. Funnily enough, there is one that does this via Bluetooth, but as the XDA Mini wont allow multiple Bluetooth connections, I have been "forced" to find out if there is anyone clever enough to make this happen :sigh:

Hi!
I miss this funtion in windows mobile. This is the only reason why I consider to go back to my old Ericsson.
A little bit strange that it works with other software but not with Microsofts own?

Using .net you might be able to write an app (server) that listens on an open port on the PPC for coms from the active sync pc. When a certial string is sent down this port DIAL(123456789) the app calls the dial command in .net framework.
Maby its time to bite the bullet and code it.
Im having to with another app

No need for a PPC app, as you can already do this from the desktop - using:
rapistart.exe "cprog.exe -n -url tel:numbertocall"
from within any ap. I have done this from my Access program, I was looking to see if anyone had done this for Outlook as a plugin for the Desktop, or indeed some form of TSR on the PC that will take a hotkey and use the above for a highlighted number (yes, I know that I am now officially in fairyland).

mlk said:
No need for a PPC app, as you can already do this from the desktop - using:
rapistart.exe "cprog.exe -n -url tel:numbertocall"
from within any ap. I have done this from my Access program, I was looking to see if anyone had done this for Outlook as a plugin for the Desktop, or indeed some form of TSR on the PC that will take a hotkey and use the above for a highlighted number (yes, I know that I am now officially in fairyland).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope this can then be done using windows scripting host cause its the outlook that you need to automate not he PPC.
See the 3rd item on this page.
http://www.cooperstown.net/tips/outlook-address.html
It should be able to help you out just make a custom toolbar button in outlook to call this piece of code and your away laughing.
EDIT:
Where did you fiind the info on cprog. Is there any way it could help with this

Unfortunately, I cant remember where I found the information on Cprog - only thing I have is the "How to call a number".. tried for some time to find various parameters to no avail... not too sure if this will help with your problem.

OK Guys, I finally bit the bullet - thanks Shaun for the "hint" - and coded a Macro to perform this.
It may be a bit clunky and as a "non-developer" I don't have the requisite nous nor software to distribute this as a plugin. For this reason, I have provided this as completely open (as far as I can tell), so if anyone wants to take this further, I hope I have started you on the track and that you wont forget the initial starter!
For those of you that wish to install - you will need to access your \Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook folder and extract the zipped file. My recommendation is that you save the existing one first, just in case you have written a bunch of Macros - wouldn't want to get any nasty surprises here - remember, Outlook only has one Macro bucket and this file is it!
Once you have installed and either provided your own Digital Certificate, or have an appropriate level Security within Outlook to allow this to run, simply add the Macro "Dial2PPC.Dialit" to a toolbar both in Outlook (that comes up in Contacts preferably) and in the Contact Form itself (use "Customise" as you would in any other Office application to facilitate this).
From here, it is as simple as selecting the Contact from your contact list and clicking on the Macro button you have setup - then follow the instructions, make sure your PPC is connected & Dial away!
Please note that you will need to have installed RapiStart from the Windows Mobile Power Toys and that I make no assertions that this is bug free, so use wisely - although, I am pretty sure I have most of the bugs out.
Again, this is provided open & free, so if you make an enhancement, please share it with the rest of us!
Hope this solves the "issue" for you guys as it has done for me!

DialViaActiveSync
mlk – thanks very much for your macro. I’ve taken the liberty of rewriting quite a bit of it (everything other than the part which communicates with the device, really), and have made it available under the GPL v2.0, in order to preserve its “Free” status.
In terms of changes, as I say, I’ve rewritten most of the back-end functionality. In particular:
1.) Adding items to the listbox – this now only shows fields which have a valid phone number, so there are no empty spaces
2.) Dynamic resizing of the form
3.) Form and “Dial” button captions show the name of the contact
4.) Where a contact has no valid phone number, a dialogue to this effect is shown
5.) You need to select number from the listbox before the “Dial” button is available
6.) You can double-click on a number in the listbox to dial it
7.) General tidy-up of some of the variable names, and removed a couple of unused variables
Installing my version:
I’ve exported the relevant files from the Project, so there is no need to overwrite the existing Project file – just open Visual Basic Editor (Tools / Macro in Outlook) and select “Import” and the browse to the relevant folder.
I'm a lurker rather than a poster on here, but, any questions, please do let me know.
Cheers,
Neil
Administrator
WindowsMobile247.com
[email protected]

Neil,
Champion stuff mate - I have always said it is best to wait for Version 2! Just one question: The ".frx" file, what is that for?
Mark.

It's the binary file for the VB .frm - it's not something you manually import, but it's necessary for the display of the form.
BTW- I've changed the contents of the .zip file for download- realised that I'd left in a line (an extra ResetState call) which stopped the whole thing from working - new version uploaded (same name) should be fine.
Cheers,
Neil
Administrator
WindowsMobile247.com
[email protected]

Thanks for this, maybe should change my mantra to: Wait for V2.1?
P.S. Thanks for coming out of the lurk!

Nah- v2 was fine... if I hadn't been meddling with it...
Managed to put the reset call before the RAPI argument, which, of course, wiped out the phone number it was trying to dial... Stupid, stupid, stupid -embarrassing, but at least easy to fix.
I guess that the next step is to try and implement SMS via ActiveSync - not sure if cprog.exe handles this, though, so it could be rather more complicated...

Remote Shutdown of PC from WM5?

Does anyone know of a freeware program that can remotely shutdown the home PC from a Wifi network? I found a free Wake-On-LAN program and I can turn on my computer from anywhere in my home with it, but I don't have the means to turn it off. Thanks.

Using a VNC client on your phone and the server on your pc you could remote in and shut it down as if you were in front of it.

Hmmm, call me ignorant but I just wonder what putpose does it serve? If it is a home network and your house is not as large as CENTRAL PARK New York you should be able to actually walk to your computer and shut it down instead of sitting room next door and do it from there!
How much more lazy the human race can get?

Junner2003 said:
Hmmm, call me ignorant but I just wonder what putpose does it serve? If it is a home network and your house is not as large as CENTRAL PARK New York you should be able to actually walk to your computer and shut it down instead of sitting room next door and do it from there!
How much more lazy the human race can get?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
note that he mentioned swhithing a pc on using wake on lan - thats why he mentioned his house - lan limitation. the real purpose of what he looks for would be turning your pc off while being away.
Curious D: i didn't hear of any app written especially for this, but for example emule can do it. if you use emule on your home pc - try checkin out it's mobile client - mobiemule - a java applet that lets you manage your downloads as well as turning your pc off. if it's not suiteble for you, i would suggest setting up apache server with a special php code on it, execing an app to close windows and then using your phone browser to access this php code. a bit of a workaround but in my opinion the easiest. (i used to controll winamp this way

This might be a solution! I did not digg in to it because of such tasks are not interesting to me but I am sure you can do what you need to do with it:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bridgman_02june10.mspx

it's another option, yes it is possible but not very handy. i know setting up apache or any other web server is not very handy task neither. i would just code a simple app for desktop pc that would listen on telnet port and after receiving specified command would shut windows down. maybe even code a simple version of "web server" so it would be accessed using web browser? huh, i'll try in my spare time ;]
:update:
i could wrap up an application that would sit launched at your pc and listen for a connection. you would have to open a web browser (not only at your phone, it could be anything computer like and browse for an adress like:
http://your.ip.address:some_port/specific_command
to force my application to perform any action. it could be shutting down your windows or anything else.
note - it requires you to have a public ip address, and you would have to forward some_ports for it in your lan - just like any other serverlike application. would you be interested? it is quite easy so i can do it for you. cheers

Thanks for all the replies.
Raceit: I thought about VNC, but my VNC program incorporates an RC4 encryption which isn't supported for the WM5 platform at this time (at least I couldn't find any. This would be the ideal situation since then I can control my computer from my phone to do some simple operations. (I can do this already with my laptop, but it takes a long time to start up whereas the phone is fairly immediate)
Banannq: No no...Junner2003 is right. I AM lazy. I'm actually looking for it because there have been some nights that I remembered I forgot to shut down the computer and when you are in bed, you don't really want to go across the house to shut something off. I'm a light sleeper and when I wake up, I think about stuff. The idea that you had is over my head. Thanks for the offer for setup, but it seems I would have to open my firewall which I would rather not do. Again, thanks.
Junner2003: Thanks. I'll look into that link from Microsoft.

Curious D: too late mate, i already did the base of program ;]
now i can only finish it ;] it receives a message from a www browser and all i need to do now is to make it respond with an action, which is quite easy job - i'll add a procedure of shutting windows down and i'll upload it somewhere this evening. if you want it, you can get it, if you prefer not - no problem. for me it was a good oportunity to code something new ;]
forget evening. it's done. remember it is very simple...
so you need to launch included exe file on your windows machine. i tested it on xp, it should also work on older OS's, but i cannot be sure.
as i said - if you have lan at your home (and probably you have if you use your phone to connect to wifi) you need to access your router menu to allow connections to the pc my app is running on. depending on manufacturer it is done a bit different but still quite simple. you need to find a function called "port forwarding" and set up a new rule. You allow traffic to "your pc ip number" on "99" port (thats my app specification). you basicly need to allow traffic via tcp, but can be also tcp+udp
when it's done thats it.
providing that the programm is running, you can first try opening you pc's browser and type a specified url in your browser:
http://localhost:99/hello_world
you should see "/hello_world" message in return.
you can then try
http://ip_address:99/some_message
your ip can be checked by typing "ipconfig" in command line (windows_start>run>cmd) on your pc.
then you can do the same on your phone : http://your.pc.ip.address:99/message
if it works it means that everything is ready to go. then go:
http://your.pc.ip.address:99/shutdown
and that should do the magic.
i hope it's quite clear for you, if not - please ask. i'll try to help you if you think my program would be worth it ;]
i hope you like it

Wow. That's really cool. Thanks. I'll look into it more on my next day off. (Schedule's a little wacky, but it brings food to the table) Thanks again. Out of curiosity (not asking for more because you have already been very generous with your time and effort), can something be set up without port forwarding? If it is within a home network, can something be setup like VNC (without the remote desktop) simply to shutdown a computer within my own Wifi network?

Yes, should be possible either if you use STATIC IP ADDRESSES (which is always a problem if you have a linksys router) or just via computer name in the network: " \\MyComputerName " (you will have to turn file sharing in for that!)

Cool. I'll try it soon. Thanks again.

Curious D said:
Does anyone know of a freeware program that can remotely shutdown the home PC from a Wifi network? I found a free Wake-On-LAN program and I can turn on my computer from anywhere in my home with it, but I don't have the means to turn it off. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please post the free Wake-On-LAN app that you have??

sorry guys, i didn't have time to post anything sooner - had a terrible day with my wizard - 4 hard resets and finally rom upgrade :/ huh, looks good now...
anyway - i didn't code anything that would communicate through windows network neighbourhood - it sounds like an interesting idea, but i dont think i could be able to accomplish any success here very soon ;] sorry.

freeyayo50 said:
Can you please post the free Wake-On-LAN app that you have??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go...
http://www.modaco.com/index.php?showtopic=240773&mode=threaded

(Win32/PPC) Note taking app (Linux/Web soon)

Hey everyone,
I developed this app as a part of my final year project. Initially I had big plans for it (I still feel that PPC lacks strong apps in this area.. OneNote doesn't cut it for me), but got busy with work/studies and forgot all about it.
I have also created a web version for it (sync your data with a web url), but thats too alpha at the moment. If anyone wants to beta test it, please let me know.
I'm uploading the last versions I made of this app to gather some bug reports, problems, crashes, new features etc which people might be interested in.
Keep in mind, I want this app to be so good that people can finally leave their paper notebooks home
I know some things aren't working well or at all, for e.g. synchronization.
Play around with the buttons (the tooltips etc should tell you what they're for)
Features:
arrange data in notebooks and pages. (basically you create a notebook and then insert a page into it..)
There are two modes.. view/edit.. edit mode gives you basic text input where you can format text using the following wiki syntax (effect of formatting is only visible in view mode):
*text* - bold
\text\ - italic
_text_ - underline
+ (add more pluses upto 6) gives you heading (e.g. ++My heading)
~color:green~ any text after this will be green. you can use this for most named colors
[link to another page] link between pages (linking will automatically happen if you use CamelCase/wiki syntax.. you can enforce linking by putting [Notebook/Page name] <-- in square brackets as such. Links can be renamed as well [[renamed link][Notebook/ActualPage]]
[image:image name]
You can insert images using the button/menu options. these images are imported into the notebooks directory.
Search notes
tag notes
bookmark notes (you can even bookmark searches, the stored search will be re-run every time, so for e.g. if you bookmark a search with dates later than last week, then it'll give you new results every time)
Maintain clipboard history and auto insert copied stuff into current page. (keyboard is polled every second)
Most important feature:- You can just copy over your notebooks/bookmarks directory (or sync it using any sync tool), and the same notebooks/pages/bookmarks will be available on both PPC and Win32.
Download:
http://ace.xhaven.net/DN-Win32-PPC.zip
Installation:
- Just unzip the win32 and PPC directories to your desktop and PDA.. click on the exe to run program. Should work on wm2003/wm5/wm6
Known bugs/issues:
- clipboard isn't working on PPC
- PPC version is slower, doesn't have softkey support yet
- PPC Icons look wierd
- .... add more?
Disclaimer:
I make no claims that this will work properly, or even execute on your desktop/PPC. I dont owe you anything. Please try this at your own risk.

no one tried it yet?

Nice Idea
Thanks,
This is great idea, i tested the note book, it is good.
But quite difficult to use on mobile, can u change the interface to make it easy to understand and write.

You're right, the PPC version is not that easy to use. Hopefully I'll get some time on this weeked to fix that up, as well as allowing common actions to be performed using hard/soft keys.

ammarr said:
You're right, the PPC version is not that easy to use. Hopefully I'll get some time on this weeked to fix that up, as well as allowing common actions to be performed using hard/soft keys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that would be cool, waiting for your new version.

Explorer=)

I HAVE tested a nice tool . you can get in Windows store :
search for:
Pocket File Manager
it is a real file Manager.... some less fuctions are missing but it is very very nice.. and all they have told me it is impossible.... it is possible how you can see it
it works fine and great .... it can follow: send every file by Bluetooth... you can open every file it is legal docx, rar, zip txt . jpeg, mp3 , mp4 ... realy legal ... it opens what is on the device! !!! and you see a great file structure and you can use skydrive........ everyone who says it is impossible im think that they doesn't try whats possible ...
I have find somtehing interessting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2290261
maybeee it should us help to get a Explorer to wp8

Have you looked at the description? It is limited in exactlly the same way as described around here all the time.
Limitation (Please read it!):
Windows phone has some limitations which prevent third party applications from accessing parts of files system. You cannot access video files, music files, Document folder. So, until Microsoft open it, please do not ask us to implement this feature. It is impossible right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can access SkyDrive, FTP servers and it's own private storage. You CAN NOT access the phones Documents Folder and other Folders. You can launch an Office Document and edit it but it will then be saved to the Office Hub and the Explorer Application will still retain the old version prior to editing.
So while this does look like it works around it a file explorer in the way that people are demanding is still not possible.

StevieBallz said:
Have you looked at the description? It is limited in exactlly the same way as described around here all the time.
It can access SkyDrive, FTP servers and it's own private storage. You CAN NOT access the phones Documents Folder and other Folders. You can launch an Office Document and edit it but it will then be saved to the Office Hub and the Explorer Application will still retain the old version prior to editing.
So while this does look like it works around it a file explorer in the way that people are demanding is still not possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have tested the tool ! and it works .... it reads out some lokal files and the complete Photo and Video library!! it is a tool for lokal the link in the link it is development of it that will be release in future
but that what im testing it works everything what im saying.. and it is a file Explorer for local and for skydrive!!!! as i tested some other tool too ... it is a pdf Reader... not the Microsoft one! another one ... it can be read out the pdf files of sdcard and on local phone ... .. so im think it is possible to do a great file Explorer but we have to try it..

http://www.1800pocketpc.com/file-explorer/

Oh boy
I wish it were trued, but it aint.
Second, what Stevie said.

presumption
im think we can use one trick ... srry im not a guy who can much develop
but the idea is maybee great?
if i can Open a file of the Folder of the pocket Explorer so maybee Folder Pocket Explorer\docs\Alice in wonderland.docx in word mobile 365 /15 opend it ... but the Office hub can't find the file if im opened...... but in the functionality it opend................ im think the "lock" isn't realy a lock....... im think it is something like a key in the Windows regestry of wp8 ...that disable the Show of other Folders... but every tool can be Access all the Folders that are on the phone...... if it was a real access lock it isn't be possible to open a docx file in word from a Folder outside it is registered in Office hub ... in the tool it is added the photo hub ...
im think a clever developer shouldbe can solve the Problem without to Bypass the "lock" of MS ... Note ... In Real Windows 8 it has security informations .... but if the locked for some users you can't see the files and you can't opend it.... but im think in wp 8 there isn't this the Problem ... the Problem is it disabled in the regestry to Show something that can be accsess all the Tools

No the developers can't bypass this, as far as I am aware. It isn't just the registry key (you may be right about that one), but the runtime itself does not allow these kind of things. I have been looking for way to break the file associations, and there seems to be none, other than jailbreaking and hacking into system settings.

Yep tested this one today on my new Lumia 520 and it even does not show the music folder -_- ... Stupid limitation from MS.

[GUIDE] how to install Linux for newbs

Hi all--
As the posting suggests I am going to write a tutorial on how to install Linux on your OPO
I scoured the internet and (albeit my scouring sucks) could find very little in regards to installing Linux on the OPO (though multirom may have support for it some day, it currently does not). I got this from reading several how to linux pages which didn't work for me until I fiddled around with it.
I am taking a networking class for my CCNA and needed a cisco emulator, but there are none available for android, and I stubbornly refuse to buy a new laptop because I think a phone with a 2.8Ghz quadcore hooked up to my keyboard and miracast should suffice for ALL computing needs.
Benefits of linux/ubuntu:
have many more resources available (most software has a Windows/Mac/Linux build but not always an android desktop environment (or even an app for some software).
some things that I use it for:
GIMP
GNS3 (a cisco router emulator)
Requirements:
Internet, ~4GB+ of space, ROOT!
Apps:
Linux Deploy
androidVNC
Steps:
1.
Install apps
2.
open Linux Deploy
DO NOT CLICK START YET
open the settings (either the funny download button, or by opening menu to settings)
choose your distro (I used debian wheezy, and also ubuntu trusty successfully)
I don't change any of the default directories here (I had trouble when I did, though installing various .img files worked ok)
scroll down to the startup section and about midway down is "GUI settings"
Open it and change anything you want: I swap the width and height, because I use my phone in landscape mode on my external monitor/miracast
DPI-- if you set it to 480 (stock) the font is good, but everything else is too small for some reason (like windows scroll down further than the bottom of the screen), so I usually leave it around 200-
also near the bottom of the startup section is "custom mounts" this is really useful if you want to edit things on your phone's storage (like in gimp). Clicking this will make a mount "0" [default] available inside the gui which [by default] is your sdcard. (open file explorer: /mnt/0)
When you're finished with your settings, go back to the top and click install
this should make supersu ask for permission; click yes, of course!
now it goes through a big spiel of creating an img and install Linux which can take a while depending on your internet speed, my not so good internet took about 10 minutes.
Next click Start, then yes I really meant start...
Now, you should see the last few lines here and look for VNC: ####
Usually, it's 5900-- remember this number
Look in the top left of your screen for an IP address.
It usually reads 192.168.###.###
remember that number as well
Sometimes it helps to write it down ^_^
3.
now go to androidVNC
click never bother me again
fill out the form [brackets are suggestions] "quotes are exact!"
nickname: [whatever you want]
password: "changeme"
address: [the "192.168.###.###" from linuxdeploy]
port: [the "####" from linux deploy... I don't know if I changed it on accident and didn't notice but I feel like androidVNC changes this sometimes, should be 5900]
then click connect and you should be officially in the linux gui! The graphics suck, but no one uses linux for games anyway!
if you just realized what I meant by "use in landscape mode" or just want to change some settings:
close androidVNC
go back to linuxdeploy
press stop
go to settings, gui settings as before and change whatever you want
scroll back up and click reconfigure (not reinstall, because that would take forever)
it does some stuff
you get bored waiting a little
you click start again
reconnect
if you disconnected from your network, you may have to change your IP address (displayed top left of linuxdeploy)
4.
Installing something in linux
I'm a newb, and so I didn't know this: (in the linux environment inside androidVNC)
open start (bottom left)
accessories
lxterminal
this brings a command prompt into view
the magic command is:
"sudo apt-get install [the thing you want]"
everything else is magic >_>
example:
"sudo apt-get install gimp"
would install gimp for you
once it is done (which may take forever depending on your caffeine level), you can open it up and do all kinds of stuff
Hope this helps someone. If it does, consider clicking thanks (I'm not sure what it does yet either).
for 1337 linux users and grammarians: this guide is for us newbs who care more about getting to what we want than grammar correctness or being smart (because unfortunately, not every gets to be). ^_^ so please don't correct my grammar, I'll just ignore you (because).

Great guide, I might give it a go sometime to put Linux Mint on my phone. Just a suggestion, maybe provide links for Linux Deploy and AndroidVNC to make it easier for people to get them.
Transmitted via Bacon

VNCing into a Linux chroot doesn't count and is generally an awful experience.
There's really no point to do it anymore when the Freedreno driver will give you native graphic acceleration.

what freedreno? I'll check it out >_>

Freedreno is a GPU driver for running Linux on Adreno type GPUs.
Using that for graphic output could be a bit troublesome though if you need to use Android and the Linux desktop distro at the same time.