Database Users

How to change start menu colour/image on Universal?

Okay, so I've trawled the net in search of a definitive answer to this, and I know it has something to do with the tdyater image file, but I can't get mine to change.
To cover my back I decided to make the file in 3 different formats, and with 3 different names. So in my windows folder I now have:
tdywater.gif
tdywater_480_640.gif
tdywater_640_480.gif
tdywater.jpg
tdywater_480_640.jpg
tdywater_640_480.jpg
tdywater.png
tdywater_480_640.png
tdywater_640_480.png
And still the background of the start menu is just clear, with my background picture visible underneath. This isn't helpful since my background image is very busy and no font colour can make the menu clearly visible. Is there a certain size the image has to be? I'm trying to use a 640x640 image. And is there anything I need to alter in the registry to make the picture appear?
Basically I am trying to use a plain white image, so would also be happy if someone could inform me of a registry key that can change the colour of the start menu.
Thank you

Hi,
tdywater = Today screen picture
stwater = Start menu picture
My start menu picture is a darkened version of the picture I use for my today screen but you can have anything you want.
G

I have to disagree. Though that would be logical based on the file names, I have just done a little test, and my today screen background is governed by stwater_480_640.jpg (for portrait) and stwater_640_480.jpg (for landscape).
If I rename those files to tdywater, then the default windows background appears. And none of these files, be it stwater or tdywater have any effect on the start menu at all.
I sense something odd i happening with my device, since the way you said it sounds like it should be right.
But having said that, I did originally read somewhere (think it was ppcsg) that the correct filenames for portrait and landscape backgrounds were the ones I am uing, hence why I use them, and hence why they work. So basically it's just the start menu I'm struggling with.

I quote from "How to Create an Extended Theme" from Spb Pocket Plus:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/pocketplus/themetutorial.html?en
# Select your Today screen image (tdywater.gif) from the folder you created. Press Next.
# Select your Start menu image (stwater.gif) from the folder you created. Press Next.
These have been the standard filenames for the images for as long as I can remember...
G

gquipster said:
I quote from "How to Create an Extended Theme" from Spb Pocket Plus:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/pocketplus/themetutorial.html?en
# Select your Today screen image (tdywater.gif) from the folder you created. Press Next.
# Select your Start menu image (stwater.gif) from the folder you created. Press Next.
These have been the standard filenames for the images for as long as I can remember...
G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well bugger the standard. If you read my posts you will see that is not the case on my device. Suppose I'll just keep trying

Are you just copying the images onto the device or using a TSK theme file?
I could never get it to work just copying the images.
This was the program which was recommended to me for building TSK files:
http://www.codeppc.com/telechargements/themegence/themegence.htm
Or do what I did for my first theme and use a CAB editor and just change the images in an existing theme
Not doubting you that it's not working on your device, just not a lot I can do but offer you the information which I have.
Hope this helps
G

Found a way round it
1. Make the theme using the standard microsoft theme generator
2. Apply it on the device
3. delete tdywater.gif
4. Insert my own tdywater_480_640.jpg and tdywater_640_480.jpg files
5. Bingo!
Only thing is, I have to re-do most of that (from step 2 onwards) every time I soft reset, because by default my universal is showing stwater as the background image (ie: a think white bar which I have as my start menu background). It only recognises tdywater after applying a theme

Just use Wisbar!! :lol:

GaZ said:
Found a way round it
1. Make the theme using the standard microsoft theme generator
2. Apply it on the device
3. delete tdywater.gif
4. Insert my own tdywater_480_640.jpg and tdywater_640_480.jpg files
5. Bingo!
Only thing is, I have to re-do most of that (from step 2 onwards) every time I soft reset, because by default my universal is showing stwater as the background image (ie: a think white bar which I have as my start menu background). It only recognises tdywater after applying a theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

{template} TF3D HD manila PSD file

http://rapidshare.com/files/189717709/TF3D_HD_Template.zip
Here you'll find a Photoshop file with basically all screen elements of the TF3D HD manila interface present.
Unless I've missed something all icons/button/etc are present except for the weather section. I've only included the main icons there so you can put your flag on the moon..
If somebody feels like mapping out every raindrop like in this psd file, please let me know so I can update the file
The bmp files of the photo and video sub menu's are present as well.
These will go in the windows directory.
I plan to add the blackstone dialer .. but am not sure it's that much needed.
The main idea was to map out the Manila files.
I've build it from itjes Full HD cab for the X1. As far as I know it should work for all other touch HD manila setups..
import/export
I've used the mode9editor to extract all png's.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3095189&postcount=1
The mode9editor has a batch import/export function.
When you use the layer names in the PSD file you're able to batch import all icons you'll change.
Transparency
Most icons will have either a red pixel line border or at least 2 red pixels at the corners.
This way you can select the alpha channel of the layer, crop your image and have to correct dimensions for the png/qtc file.
All you then need to do is remove the red pixel before saving.
For 99.9% of the images you can do it by a color select unless your new theme will be red
Buttons
All buttons that have a press and rest stage have been linked to each other and put on top of each other. In the corresponding layer you'll notice this soon enough
Tiny pixel files
There are a few images that are 1x1 or 2x2 pixels. These are present and I've tried to make all layers in logic order to be easy to find.
Some pixels are 100% transparent and therefor red which was easier to find
Batch PSD export
There is need to find or create a photoshop action that will:
- select layer
- crop by alpha selection
- remove red pixel
- export by layer name
- repeat this process for all layers
If there's anyone out there that can help me make such an action please do. As I have limited experience in advanced photoshop actions
All suggestions and help (especially with the photoshop actions) are welcome!
With a little help this can be an easy automated template for our own redesigning fetish

Odd. I never had those red lines when extracting the .png files. I used manila editor 0.2. I guess Mode9editor messes it up.

Angelusz said:
Odd. I never had those red lines when extracting the .png files. I used manila editor 0.2. I guess Mode9editor messes it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehehe.. I put those there myself
this is the fastest way to incorporate the exact dimensions and icon location within a file

Oh I see.. that's not very convenient now then, is it?
I wouldn't know of an easy way to get rid of them. If you get it done, it's handy though, I've got 140 seperate files, sorted per folder on my PC atm xD

Angelusz said:
Oh I see.. that's not very convenient now then, is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thought behind is to get a photoshop action to select the whole layer and then 1. make selection by red color & delete selected / 2. select layer, crop, select all, extract 1 pixel, invert and delete selected.
By hand this is allot.. bij when automated it could work.
But true.. in theory it's perfect, in practice i've noticed it's not yet
Since I made a new layer to create the icon I have to find a way to automatically select the corresponding layer that will make the size fit.. but cannot do this without java scripted action.
So untill I meet someone who wants to help and is good at photshop java action it will only be a nice concept
but having the file names in the layers to copy/paste does help me for quick batching.
but I agree.. not yet the fastest methode.
although I personally prefer it over 140 different files to work from, but this is also cuz I render my icons in 3d all at 1 time.

thread ends here
and will be continued here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=477268

Windows 8 tips and Tweaks

Here is a list of 10 tweaks for Windows 8, shamelessly stolen from This Website, ill give a brief overview of them below but since I didn't find these myself I think it only fair that you visit the original site for the full story,
The funky animation one is pretty dam cool and the wee tool found on the link for it is the best way to edit those settings, I found the recommended settings adequate
1. Run Automatic Maintenance on a Schedule
By default, it runs them at 3AM, or if you're using your computer, the next time your computer becomes idle. You can change this time in the Action Center, as well as tell Windows whether you want to wake your computer up to perform these tasks.
2. Customize the Apps in the Search Bar
Bring up the Charms bar (with Win+C), click Settings, and go down to "Change PC Settings." From there, choose Search from the left sidebar, and turn off the apps you don't want taking up space in this menu.
3. Enable the Hidden "Aero Lite" Theme
You can still find it in the Themes folder on your computer.
4. Enable the Secret Start Screen Animation
When you first sign onto Windows 8, you get a very cool animation of all your tiles filling up the screen. After that, though, the Start screen has a much more toned down animation. If you want to enable the cooler animation for every launch of the Start screen, you can do so with a simple Registry tweak found Here.
5. Customize More Icons in Windows Explorer
Windows 8 now lets you customize your Library icons right from its settings. Just right-click on the Library, go to Properties, and you should see the option to change the library's icon right at the bottom
6. Create and Name App Groups on the Start Screen
You can do so by clicking the small button in the bottom-right corner of the screen and then right-clicking on the groups.
7. Take Faster Screenshots
If you press Win+Print Screen (or Win+Volume Down on a tablet), Windows will take a screenshot of your screen and automatically save it in your Pictures folder as a PNG file.
8. Tweak the Number of Rows on the Start Screen
You can tweak this number by editing the Registry, see Here for details
9. Hide Recent Files from Your Jump Lists
To access the preferences, just right-click on the Taskbar, go to Properties, and click the Jump Lists tab.
10. Get More Out of Your Multiple Monitors
If you have multiple monitors, you've probably noticed that Windows extends your taskbar across both screens. It does more than just that, though: you can press Win+PgUp to move your current app to your left monitor, and Win+PgDn to move it to the right monitor. In addition, if you go to the Desktop Background section of your Personalization settings, you can right-click on any individual wallpapers and choose which monitor you'd like it to show up on. Of course, if you like things the old way, you can also turn off the dual taskbar in Taskbar Properties
11. How to make your own Windows 8 "Metro" Shortcuts
Fairly straight forward and obvious way to make your Metro shortcuts, example Here shows you how
12. Various tips and tweaks
This site has gone to great lengths to get a list together for many tweaks, many of them focus on removing what makes Windows 8 good, ill have a look through them all in time and will repost the good ones, but for now there's all sorts to look at from changing the size of the header bar and borders (pretty handy!) to various ways of adding old style "start menus"

If anyone else has any other funky tips, (if stolen please provide links to source) please pop them on a post and ill update the first post, makes sense to keep this stuff together I guess!

Maybe this:
http://www.howtogeek.com/74331/how-to-create-your-own-windows-8-shortcuts-for-shutdown-perhaps/
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

http://www.askvg.com/category/windows-8/

[Q] Smart Select - can you PASTE?

Hello guys,
I got my N4 today, very pleased.
I dont think there is a way to PASTE your smart clips. I see a way to share them and to add them to a scrapbook, but not paste.
I was sure I saw something like that in some demo?
The manual does not mention if/how that can be done,
Any success with that out there?
tx
Mark.

Select the text
Hit the T button on the selction.
Tap the Share button
Pick "Copy to Clipboard" from the Share via popup.

ATnTdude said:
Select the text
Hit the T button on the selction.
Tap the Share button
Pick "Copy to Clipboard" from the Share via popup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Thanks for the response, but there is no such option to Copy to Clipboard.

If there is no option search playstore ...there was an app that forced copy to clipboard to be an option...especially useful for YouTube.

xManMythLegend said:
If there is no option search playstore ...there was an app that forced copy to clipboard to be an option...especially useful for YouTube.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
yeah, I did that before I posted here.
The clipboard paste apps I found there are about COPYING multiple items to that clipboard, but which does not tie in with Smart Select - so you can't copy smart selected elements to those apps, only things which have the COPY contextual menu as an option, like when you select text and have a copy option.
Nothing I have found allows you to copy a "smart selection" set of items to the clipboard. In fact I don't know if this would make sense on an android system level... the "smart selection" may not use the android clipboard at all... so there may not be any solution unless Samsung makes it possible.
Mark

fredphoesh said:
Hello guys,
I got my N4 today, very pleased.
I dont think there is a way to PASTE your smart clips. I see a way to share them and to add them to a scrapbook, but not paste.
I was sure I saw something like that in some demo?
The manual does not mention if/how that can be done,
Any success with that out there?
tx
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you open a note and use the edit in s-note icon in the lower right-hand corner, you can just drag one or more items from the collection to the note.

Maris_ said:
If you open a note and use the edit in s-note icon in the lower right-hand corner, you can just drag one or more items from the collection to the note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Open a note?
What note?
I have some smart select items I want to paste into an email I am replying to.... and there is no "note" I am working on, and there is no icon anywhere to drag to that email I am replying to...
Seems this is how I would use it, and it does not work like that... you can create a new email but not add to a reply or add clips to an existing document.

fredphoesh said:
Hi
Open a note?
What note?
I have some smart select items I want to paste into an email I am replying to.... and there is no "note" I am working on, and there is no icon anywhere to drag to that email I am replying to...
Seems this is how I would use it, and it does not work like that... you can create a new email but not add to a reply or add clips to an existing document.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't want to save it to a note, but email instead, it still works the same. Save your selected item (s) to a collection using that little collections icon then open your new email message. If you have more than one item in the collection, tap on the down triangle at the bottom of the collection box, select the item you want to place in the email, and just drag it over. It will place the text in the spot you drag it to.
When you are done placing the text or image. You can drag the collection box towards the top of the screen and a trashcan appears. Drag it to the trashcan and it deletes the collection.

Maris_ said:
Save your selected item (s) to a collection using that little collections icon then open your new email message. If you have more than one item in the collection, tap on the down triangle at the bottom of the collection box, select the item you want to place in the email, and just drag it over. It will place the text in the spot you drag it to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope
that does not work.
try it.
try smart copy a couple of icons off your desktop and try paste that in gmail. I copied the phone icon, the message icon and app drawer icons as one image file, and when I drag and drop that to gmail, I get "[email protected]" instead of the image of the three icons!
This only works with TEXT but not with photos. Photos result in some gobbledygook nonsense word.

It works via drag n drop with the stock email app. With Gmail you need to use the share button and pick gmail. They will in both cases be sent as attachments to the email you send.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

It doesn't work on Gmail, only if you create a new message. If it's an existing message you're responding to, there is no way to use smart select.

It works as an attachment so you have to save the images first if you want to attach them in Gmail to a reply. I just tested it. I used Share>ES Save To to save the selection as a png to the download directory. (I have ES File Explorer so that shows up in the share list) Then open your Gmail item and attach it from there.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Well adding attachments to Gmail is something any phone can do... As I am trying to point out, Smart Select cannot paste the contents to an existing gmail, you have to save it first, then attach manually from gmail... Not particularly fast, unique or convenient.
You have to add the attachments to gmail one at a time
The text "Smart Selections" are attached purely as images (no OCR)
So Smart Select is great for Evernote, Google Keep or Samsungs note taking apps, but not for existing Gmails! Saving to Drive also saves text smart selections as images instead of OCR text & images.
Mark.

Well I think Smart Select is a bit of a misnomer. It works by automating the process of saving the selections to png files so you can share them. That's just how it works.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Dumbo53 said:
Well I think Smart Select is a bit of a misnomer. It works by automating the process of saving the selections to png files so you can share them. That's just how it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the main part is multiple clipboard copying of BOTH images AND text simultaneously.
It also does OCR of text in images
SADLY with "copy to clipboard" missing as a sharing option, the inability to paste to any app that can paste images and text simultaneously, like gmail, is missing.

I've been trying to figure this out too. I have found a different way of selecting items into the clipboard. I use image clip instead of smart select. Then I hit the share button in the top right. And it automatically copies the item to the clipboard.
---------- Post added at 01:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 AM ----------
And from there, if you need it to be square there's an option to do so in the top left corner

sangvann said:
I've been trying to figure this out too. I have found a different way of selecting items into the clipboard. I use image clip instead of smart select. Then I hit the share button in the top right. And it automatically copies the item to the clipboardr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm
when I go to Share , and then choose none of the options and then go to Gmail and press to get contextual menu, there is no paste that comes up... so nothing gets copied into the clipboard. What steps did you take?
Even if it did, that would be one image at a time... which is ok, but not quite the nifty thing SmartSelect could be if it could copy all pix and text to clipboard!
Mark

The NSTG turns 10! Time for a makeover.

The impetus for my project was the purchase of a (surprise!) late production line NSTG with a flawless light-dispersing layer. And I thought...this deserves a rethink. Thanks to @Renate for help with the status bar background color and clock color. The rest is a combination of DesktopVisualizer, Simi Folder, Tasker apps (only 2), Minimalistic Text, a little judicious wallpaper design, and fooling with the framework-res.apk.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Features:
-glowlight instruction banner removed from screensaver image
-status bar background changed to white
-modernized "now reading", "back", and "menu" buttons
-date/greeting widget (updates automatically)
-weather widget (3 hr updates from data scraped at 3 am)
-"Now Reading" bookcover widget with reader "badge"
----image is automatic for non-DRM epubs, requires one button press for others
----image (whether automatic or manual) is possible to set as screensaver
----image is "smart", duplicating function of "reading now" button, and knowing which reader to open for which book (button also is now "smart")
-icons in dock are Simi folder shortcuts (except for drawer icon) and open groups of apps (stock reader, Kindle, EBookDroid, as an example)
-QuickTiles fully integrated
Edit: the current version now also supports PerfectViewer as a reader option
More screenshots below.
(YouTube insisted on muting the short segment featuring Ella Fitzgerald, if you can believe it...)
"How-to" guide begins in post #11

WHOA !!! Seriously ?
hahahahahaha ... LOVE IT !!!
What is this ? ... a concept yet to be realised or an actual working 'Neu Home' for our awesome little NSTG's ?

aiamuzz said:
WHOA !!! Seriously ?
hahahahahaha ... LOVE IT !!!
What is this ? ... a concept yet to be realised or an actual working 'Neu Home' for our awesome little NSTG's ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a real thing. I've been using it for a few weeks, tracking down small issues. Think I've got them all. But...it's just ADW launcher dressed up with some nice features. The underlying B&N system remains.

nmyshkin said:
It's a real thing. I've been using it for a few weeks, tracking down small issues. Think I've got them all. But...it's just ADW launcher dressed up with some nice features. The underlying B&N system remains.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent ... where is my Nook Manager SD Card !!!
When are you planning to release it for the public with the instructions set ? ... Look forward to it.
An NSTG specific ADW launcher ... Fantastic !!!

aiamuzz said:
When are you planning to release it for the public with the instructions set ? ... Look forward to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm....not sure. I actually have not tried applying this to a second device. I'm sure I can do it, but there are a lot of moving parts. I need to try and simplify the process. I didn't actually think anyone else would be interested!
Probably some kind of of gradually increasing functions, like just the status bar change (easy). That's just an update of the framework-res.apk using CWM. Then add in the smart "reading now" button (without the bookcover widget). That's just a pair of apps in which I can disable all the widget stuff.
That, I think, would be doable by anyone. The rest really is window dressing. It suits me, but not all the elements may suit others. I need to look at the portability of the widgets. If that were possible it would simplify things a lot.
Edit: Well, some good news for a change. The widgets can be "exported" in a file and then read into a different device. So for people who want to duplicate any of the widgets they see on my screen (or use them as starting points), the path is smoother.
Anyway, that's my next "job".

Really good stuff. Wish I had another NST to experiment on, it's crazy what you can still do with them.

nmyshkin said:
The impetus for my project was the purchase of a (surprise!) late production line NSTG with a flawless light-dispersing layer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey ... is there anyway to know if my NSTG is from a late production line ?

jun127 said:
Really good stuff. Wish I had another NST to experiment on, it's crazy what you can still do with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now i am getting impatient ... hope you are able to toss in a easy tutorial for us to try this !!!

aiamuzz said:
Hey ... is there anyway to know if my NSTG is from a late production line ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to my knowledge. I've only ever read about the change in background color and beefing up of the dispersing layer in one place. They could have made it up, but there is no doubt about background "white" when I line up an NST, my new NSTG, and my older NSTG. There's a clear progression to a darker background.
Now there could simply be something wrong with my old NSTG that makes the background so dingy, but I don't think so.

aiamuzz said:
now i am getting impatient ... hope you are able to toss in a easy tutorial for us to try this !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't guarantee "easy", but it will be my usual "overly detailed"

How-to
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything odd you do to your NST/G. Make a backup.
"My habits protect my life, but they would assassinate you."--Mark Twain
For this reason my original instructions were very incremental and complex. I now think that was a bad idea.
I recently discovered a way to create CWM flashable zips of installed and configured apps. I thought this might vastly simplify recreating the "new UI" look. I think I was right. I also decided that it was better to install everything at first and then subtract (uninstall) stuff that you don't want, seeing as how there are so many moving pieces and lots of dependencies. You can decide if I was right.
STAGING
Note: you need a good file manager app on your device and may also need some kind of working gallery app (like QuickPic), depending on whether the activity picker recognizes your file manager app fully. I was able to get along with ES File Explorer.
1. Make a CWM card (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...od-based-recovery-fixed-backup-issue.1360994/), using either of the two SD card versions.
2. Download framework_newUI_CWM.zip and NST_newUI_CWM.zip. Copy these files onto the CWM card you have made.
Spoiler: What's in the zips?
framework_newUI_CWM.zip
/system/framework/framework-res.apk
/system/framework/services.jar
/system/framework/com.google.android.maps.jar
/system/etc/permissions/com.google.android.maps.xml
/data/local/fb2png
Changes to the framework-res.apk were needed to change the status bar to white and update the icons. This version also includes a few minor changes to address problems with invisible text in some apps. An update to services.jar was needed to change the clock to black text. This version of services.jar contains the patches needed for NookTouch ModManager. If you don't run NTMM, the patches are ignored. The two small "maps" files are dependencies for Tasker and any apps created with Tasker (such as NST UI, SetCover, NSTWeather and QuickTiles). These files don't do anything but if you ever want to install any of the other apps I have created with Tasker, their presence will save you a step.
The small binary file fb2png is a replacement for the malfunctioning /system/bin/screenshot. It converts the contents of the frame buffer into a graphics file with png format.
NST_newUI_CWM.zip
ADW Launcher (configured)
DesktopVisualizer
SimiFolder (sample folder configured)
Wallpaper Chooser
NST UI (dependency on MinimalisticText)
MinimalisticText (widgets pre-configured)
RotationLocker
QuickTiles (dependency on RotationLocker)
NSTWeather Widget (dependency on MinimalisticText)
So, it's pretty complicated and that's why I think this CWM method is best. In particular, MinimalisticText is difficult to install properly on the NST/G. Even following my own instructions it's hit-or-miss. This way you have a working version install with no effort. You can eventually uninstall things you are not going to use. Look for those tips in the instructions.
3. Download folders.zip. Inside the zip are two folders, media and sdcard. Copy the contents of the "media" folder to /media on your NST/G. If there is not already a "screensavers" folder in /media, create one and inside that create the folder "CurrentBookCover".
Next, copy the contents of the "sdcard" folder to /sdcard on your NST/G. If there is not already a "Pictures" folder in /sdcard, create one and inside that create the folder "Screenshots".
You now have everything you need to reproduce the UI shown in the first post.
INSTALLATION
1. Make a backup of your NST/G. Everything you are going to do is reversible, but it would be so much easier to just restore a backup if you decide you don't like the result.
2. Power down, remove your regular sdcard and replace it with the CWM card. Power up. Wait for CWM to pass the splash screen and display the first menu.
If you're not familiar with CWM, movement in the menu and item selection are controlled by hardware buttons:
upper left: previous menu, upper right: up, lower right: down, "n" button: select.
a. move down the menu to "install zip from sdcard". Press "n"
b. press "n" again ("choose zip from sdcard")
c. move to framework_newUI_CWM.zip and press "n"
d. move either up or down to confirm the file you want to flash and press "n"
Spoiler: I only want the updated Status Bar!!!
skip e,f,g and after the reboot is complete, delete all the "folder" content from both /media and /sdcard
e. again, select "choose zip from sdcard" (press "n")
f. move to NST_newUI_CWM.zip and press "n"
g. move either up or down to confirm the file you want to flash and press "n"
The screen gets a little mushed up with the menu after two flashes, but all you need is to get back to the beginning.
h. go back (upper left button) until the first item in the menu is "reboot system now"
i. remove the CWM sdcard and replace it with your usual sdcard, then press "n"
Chug, chug, chug... Boot may take a little longer because of replacing the framework-res.apk, but be patient.
THE DETAILS
1. Change Wallpaper (may have to do it twice for it to take effect). Tap on the Wallpaper Chooser app and navigate through the tiny print to /media/Wallpaper. There are three files. You want "NST UI Background_p.png". The other two files are for a smoother transition to landscape mode (handled by QuickTiles). If you never use your device in landscape mode you can design your own wallpaper to suit without making a version for landscape. The Wallpaper Changer app is sort of funky, but it gets the job done. If you have my Nook Settings app, there is a wallpaper setting under "Display", so you could delete Wallpaper Changer in that case.
2. Initialize NST UI by tapping on the icon. You are taken back to the home screen and get an SU permission prompt.
3. Use NTMM to assign NST UI to the status bar "reading now" button.
Spoiler: I only use the stock reader!!
In that case you do not need to assign the NST UI app to the "reading now" button. Everything else will function fine.
Also assign ADW Launcher to the "n" button.
Note: if you are not familiar with ADW Launcher, the three dots at the upper right corner of the app drawer screen are your friend. The first option allows you to hide apps from the drawer, the second to create additional tabs if you want to group apps. And it's a convenient place to access the App Manager.
4. Add BookCover widget (DesktopVisualizer), scale and position.
a. Long press on the home screen somewhere blank. You will see a dialog. Tap as needed to get to "Widgets."
b. Select a 4x4 Desktop Visualizer widget.
c. A place-holder for the widget appears somewhere on the home screen. Long-press until you can drag the image down to below "Now Reading". Then tap on it.
d. Tap on "Select Icon" (this will be the book cover image). Tap on "Image File". You'll see a selection of possible apps that might open such a file. In my case that was ES File Explorer. If nothing shows up that will allow you to navigate to /media/NowReading/NSTcover.png or select from a variety of images (with a gallery app like QuickPic) you will need to install something.
e. Tap on "Select Action". You will see options. We want to launch an app.
Note: if you would rather not have the book cover image repeat the function of the "reading now" button, select "None". In that case tapping on the book cover image will have no effect.
Select NST UI. This makes the widget active as a "button" which will open the "Now Reading" book.
f. To complete the setup of the widget, trash the Label and select "None" for the Touch Effect color. Then tap on OK.
g. You are now back on the home screen:
Long-press on the widget until you see the dialog open and select "Resize":
The best option for me was to move the bottom handle down a little. This gave an image that seemed to fit in the space and had the right aspect ratio. Compare with the screenshot in the first post. Of course you can position and size the image any way you want if you are developing your own design. When you select a book to read this temporary image will be replaced.
5. Getting a custom version of the SetCover app.
Spoiler: Why does this have to be so complicated????
I've really tried everything to simplify this but I've come up with nothing. The issue is with the appWidgetID and the manager hidden somewhere on the device. In order to manipulate the book cover widget via Tasker the widget ID# is required. This is no problem but there is no way to use a variable to carry this information. And...Desktop Visualizer seems to almost pick a random number for its widgets so there is no dependable way to know what your individual widget ID# for the book cover image will be until you create the widget. Desktop Visualizer has the "ability" to clear the widget from memory if you delete it (from the App Manager) but it only resets the ID# back to the value it started with (whatever it was) and that not 100% of the time (a reboot helps).
What this means is that each version of SetCover has to be custom made for your particular widget ID#. This is not a difficult thing for me to do--just a few changes in the code for your ID#--and I am happy to do it. But it does mean that if you accidentally delete the book cover widget, you may not be able to make a new one with the same ID# and thus will need a new version of the app.
a. Use a file manager to navigate to /data/data/jp.co.bii.androi.app.dskvzr/files.
Inside that folder there should be one file representing the book cover widget. The file name will be something like "conf_1.dat". Your widget ID# is the numeric part of the file name (so, "1", in the example shown). PM me with your widget ID# and I will send you a custom version of SetCover.
b. Install the app and initialize it by tapping on the icon. You are returned to the home screen and an SU permission prompt is generated. It also takes a screenshot (think of it as a test drive...).
c. Use NTMM to assign SetCover to the hardware button of your choice (for manual cover capture). Remember, automatic cover images are only generated for non-DRM epub files. Everything else requires one button press when the cover is displayed on the screen.
5. Create additional SimiFolders and arrange dock icons
Spoiler: I do not want SimiFolders. I am going to use single app icons!!!
Uninstall the SimiFolder app. If the sample SimiFolder icon (the "books") does not disappear from the dock area of the home screen, double-tap on it until the dialog appears and choose "Remove". Remember that ADW Launcher allows you to use custom icons on the home screen, so even if you use single app icons you can still customize for an overall uniform effect if you want. To change the icon, double-tap on an app icon and choose "edit" from the dialog that appears.
I've provided one sample SimiFolder (the "books") so that setup of additional folders is simplified (if you like my choices...). Here's how to make additional ones.
a. Tap on the SimiFolder icon in the app drawer. Just a useful tidbit before we go on: the "Applications" section lists your apps, as you might guess. But there is an option in there for changing the app icon. I did this with the stock Library app in the sample "Reader" folder. So, tap on "Folder" and then "Add Folder". Give the folder a name and select the type of folder ("Combined").
Finally, to keep things simple for now, you can skip all the tedious configuration by choosing to "Copy settings from Folder". In this case, the sample "Readers" folder I provided. Save before going on.
b. To add apps to the new folder, tap on it and then on "Add".
This takes you to a screen with all your apps. Check the ones you want. You can choose to order the apps manually or let the app arrange them ("Sorting", back on the previous screen).
c. To get the new SimiFolder to appear on the home screen (in the dock) you need to use DesktopVisualizer. Long-press on an empty area of the home screen to bring up the ADW dialog:
Use the dialog options that follow to navigate to /media/Icons and select the icon of your choice (you can add/design your own, of course).
You would choose your own folder, of course. Then you are back to the home screen and you can drag your new SimiFolder shortcut down to the dock and arrange as you like.
6. Add Greeting widget (MinimalisticText)
Spoiler: I do not want the Greeting widget!!!
This requires a special version of the NST UI app with the widget control parts removed. Uninstall the existing NST UI app and install NST UI_no_widget. Initialize the app by tapping on the icon and grant SuperUser permission. If you also do not want the Weather widget, you can uninstall MinimalisticText and delete /sdcard/Fonts as well as /sdcard/MinimalisticTextPreferences
a. Long-press on the home screen somewhere and add a Widget. You want MinimalisticText 5x1 Horizontal. This takes you to the app itself where you enter the name for the widget. Use the name as shown.
b. Scroll to the very end of Settings until you see Save/Restore. Choose "Restore" and select "Greeting". This reads in the widget as I have created it so you don't have to go through all the setup.
c. DO NOT USE either the back arrow or back button at this point!! You'll have to start all over again. Instead, scroll back through Settings to find "Custom Layout". You can now see the "innards" of the widget. You want the last item which will allow you to type in your name.
d. NOW use the back button (status bar) twice to dismiss the keyboard and close the editing screen. To save any changes to a widget of any kind, ALWAYS use the menu button (status bar) followed by a tap on "OK" at the bottom. MinimalisticText closes and you are back at the home screen.
e. Resize and position as before with the book cover image (see post #1). For me, pulling down on the bottom a little put the widget in the correct vertical position.
7. Add Weather widget (MinimalisticText)
Spoiler: I do not want the Weather widget!!!
Uninstall the NST Weather app. Delete the NSTWeather folder from your sdcard. From /sdcard/Fonts folder, delete weathericons.ttf
If you want to have the Weather widget, you will need to get a free API from Open Weather Maps. For more information, see the original app post. You don't need to go through the whole widget-building process. Once you have the API and your geocoordinates, tap on the app icon and fill in the Settings information. The rest is more or less automatic. You will receive a notification when the data has been processed and the app is "widget-ready". Then you follow the procedure for the Greeting widget (the size is Horizontal 4x2), but name it "Weather" and read in the configuration for that widget. There's nothing else to do but position the widget properly on the home screen. If your location is not showing up correctly for some reason, you can go into the widget settings (Layout>CustomLayout) and replace the Location variable with static text. Message me for additional help.
8. Configure QuickTiles
Spoiler: I do not want QuickTiles!!!
Be aware that if you ever use your device in landscape mode the static elements of the home screen wallpaper provided will be improperly positioned. This special version of QuickTiles (2.3) contains sufficient code to swap wallpapers during screen orientation changes. If that's not an issue for you, uninstall the QuickTiles app and delete /sdcard/Qtiles. If you never use your device in landscape (or always change from within an app like EBookDroid or PerfectViewer) you can also uninstall RotationLocker.
Tap on the app icon to initialize. By default, only the WiFi tile is set. You should read more about how the app works and how to set up additional tiles in the original app post. Some functions may require the presence of additional apps. RotationLocker is a dependency so whether you actually use that particular tile, the app must remain installed if you want to run QuickTiles.
Just in case...
If you have deleted some apps and later change your mind, it would be a shame to have to go back to the CWM zip and flash all over again. For that reason I've posted copies (or links to copies) of the main "optional" apps. Note that MinimalisticText comes as a CWM-flashable zip because it is so difficult to get a working install by just installing the app.
Desktop Visualizer
Minimalistic Text
Simi Folder
QuickTiles 2.3 (custom for this UI)

@nmyshkin ... thanks for the instruction set ...
nmyshkin said:
I can't guarantee "easy", but it will be my usual "overly detailed"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed ... your instruction sets are comprehensive and detailed !!!
quite a bit of understanding and tinkering needed ... will try and get back i i like it ... currently my NSTG is an a state of ZEN ... thanks to your masterpiece of the RN button with my custom menu ... Its like i've already achived nirvana ... my mind is ONE with this current version(only cos of your RN Menu app) !!!