Database Users

Fullscreen Today [old - please see new thread]

Guys - this has been updated here
Ladies and Gents:
I'm posting a program I've just knocked together. It's beta, I guess, and is really only for my own use, but I'd like you all to give it a go and tell me what you think. Please be nice :lol:
Theory - I use a magician, and like a nice clean basic theme:
{
"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"
}
However, it gets cramped. So, does anyone really need to use the tray at the bottom? Or the new button? Hence:
It's basically a toggle switch to hide the menu bar at the bottom (it actually shrinks it down to pretty much invisible, and pops it back when you untoggle it).
Now, it's beta: it has code for VGA screens but I can't test it, so send me an X50v and I'll love you forever.
It does work in landscape, but you must be in portrait mode first to toggle the menu bar. Once the bar has gone, it'll stay gone until you go to portrait mode and toggle it back.
Please provide feedback, nicely, and screenshots if it works for you!
Not for Windows Mobile 2005
I understand it does something on WM2005, but not what it's supposed to, so don't use it! Send me WM2005 instead
ToggleToday CAB
ToggleToday.exe version 0.8 - 15 August 2005
PLEASE NOTE:
do not put in startup folder :!:. It needs clear and easy access to your today screen, so after your PDA has loaded up nicely, just click on it once. sIf your menu bar disappears, great! Tap it again and the menu bar should come back.
USAGE
1. Install from cab or executable.
2. Click on it. It should go to Today screen and your menu bar should disappear. If it doesn't, click it again. If it still doesn't, then the prog doesn't work on your machine. Post details here.
3. If your menu bar does disappear, you should be set. If you want to somehow cause your today screen to refresh to acknowledge the new size, go to Settings > Personal > Today and just click ok. Or rotate your screen, and rotate back again.
I have a Magician. It works fine for me. It is harmless and doesn't have the capacity to hardreset your phone. But don't put it in the startup folder because programs are loaded in an unpredictable order and so it might not be able to reach the today screen. Just click on it once after everything has loaded.
Note: if your today background image looks tiled like the screenshot further down the thread, it may be that your image is not big enough to fill the screen. It should be around 294 pixels high now to fill the today screen.
Please post screenshots, good or bad, to see how it worked for you.
Vijay

that's quite useful program.
thanks man.

Very Nice!

download link broken , says it's 5k lol

It is 5k :shock:
If you have troubles, PM me your email address and I'll email it over.
V

Great little app but,
Im using an O2 Mini and it doesn't want to work. Copied the file into RAM (My Doc's), click on it...... it seem to load as it went back to the today screen (no resize). Went into setting, today and click OK and tried changing backgrounds, exited and no resize. I even placed it in the startup folder.
Any ideas?
UPDATE
The Startup Folder worked....... all good
Question can you toggle it back? if I launch your app and try to refresh the screen to doesn't return. I'm assuming I have to remove the app from the startup folder and restart.
Also can you make it even smaller, I have about 3mm at the base.
Thanks

Will look into it. It's best not to put it in the startup folder, because it needs to display the today screen to find the menu bar. If you put it in the startup, PPC might be doing other stuff and not allow today to pop up. Also, with password on it just brings up error.
See if you can post some screenshots. I'm not sure about the pixels at the bottom - today seems to resize itself when it's prompted to resize, ie a plugin changes size. I've got a plugin (NotesToday) that changes size and so triggers this. For anyone else, I suppose going into today settings screen will do the same. I'll automate this one day, but PPC doesn't like finding child windows, so is a pain, but I'll do it when i have some time.
Also, VGA testing would be useful. Someone send me a VGA PPC!
PS yes it's supposed to toggle. However, if it "looses" the menu, you'll probably have to softreset to get normal operation. Once it works, it works toggle on and off. Normally
V

bugs!! beware!!
first of all, nice idea !! but it doesnt work on my O2 mini.
Before i go a bit into what happened, here's something that might help, in case someone gets into the same issues.
Firstly, please make sure your mini can connect to PC via activesync without any issue. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, and saves me from the hassle of HARD RESET!!
Next, please backup everything!!!!!!!!!
IF your mini refuses to boot up properly during startup and seems to hang somewhere, DO NOT PANIC, connect it to your Activesync-installed PC (via USB) and see if you can access the File Folders in your PPC.
If you can, you're in luck. If not, I won't know how to help...
Now, here's what happened to me, I tried this plugin. Firstly, i placed it in a folder in my mini and then click on it.... nothing happens, no minimised bottom tray, next, i tried what ampda said, place in STARTUP folder, and reboot.. now here's where my mini hung!!! but i was lucky even though the mini seems to hang with no response to the screen, i was able to connect it to PC (via activesync) and then go into the STARTUP folder and delete away the plugin and then reboot, and now, everything is back to normal!!!!
Sorry, this is not saying that the plugin is not good, just that it doesnt work with my mini.. could be a conflict somewhere.. and I thought the method to delete the culprit might save yourself the hassle of a HARD RESET.
Anyway, hope to get a working version soon..
Thanks!!

Well I just tested the soft reset with the file in start up and it worked ok again. I checked to see if in what order the files loaded and this app is the last one so maybe its ok if its the last file to load.
I'll work on the screengrab later tonight

Heres a grab of my current screen. Notice the bottom shows about a 3mm gap. It looks like the backgroud image has "tiled" the O2 image.

RE
Thats cool man :lol:
Is it possible to have a cab file for direct install to the PPC?
Thanks

charleslee - It shouldn't do anything that would cause a hard reset or a soft reset, but I've said, don't but it in the startup folder because it needs clear access to the today screen. What it does, and all it does:
1. Find and bring up today screen.
2. Find the menu bar.
3. If menu is visible, hide it. If menu is invisible, so return it.
5. If hiding the menu, shrink it to 0,319 to 1,1 pixel.
That's it.
However, it needs to bring up the today screen, otherwise it can't find the menu. So putting it in startup is at your own risk. Worst that can happen is that it will try to shrink some other window to 1 pixel. If that happens, I guess expalin here what happened, what you're using etc. It's not intended obviously to be used with WDA or PPX etc. Just plain vanilla Today screen.
Frankly, I wouldn't recommend anyone uses this if they're not confident in softresetting a lot! It works for me, but I can't and haven't tested it widely.
Always do backups of your phone anyway, and especially before using this.
The worst that should happen in normal use tho is that you will temorarily lose your today screen; if you do, you can still access start menu to remove the program from your start folder (DON'T put it there, just launch it once after everything has loaded up), and soft reset.
FOSA - self installing cab - does it need one? It's a single file. Just put it in your Programs Menu with gsfinder and launch if needed.
If people are having troubles, I might remove the program, don't want people foobarr-ing their systems!
ampda - I'll work on the pixel issue at some point. I use a plain white background so didn't notice this
V

ampda - a thought occurs to me. Are you sure the bitmap you're using as a backdrop is big enough? Obviously now it needs to be 320-26=294 pixels high. Can you check that?
Also, try installing some more today plugins to force a scroll bar to be displayed. Then check where the little "^" and "v" arrows on the scrollbar end - hopefully they should be aligned with the very top and bottom edge of the screen. If not, then I have to change the code. If they are aligned properly, then the issue (should) be your backdrop image size.
V

nice and cool...

RE
OK!
Tried it and it works pretty well :lol:

Hi vijay,
My previous message was not meant to discourage you from developing wonderful apps for the community!!
Do accept my apologies if you felt that way!
It's just that I've been through lots of hard-resets when i first started using a PPC (Ipaq 4150), some were necessary, some were mistakes, some were "disasters"...
and when i put your plugin in my STARUP folder and restarted my mini, tapping on the screen did nothing when it boots up, it sorts of freezes and multiple attempts to reset (soft-reset) gave the same results.
but luckily, i remembered that there was once i could access my PPC via activesync even though the screen got stuck!! so i thot users here might want to know this before they press the button(s) to HARD-RESET.
Anyway, after seeing your explanations, i decided to try your plugin again. this time, i mapped it to a hardware shortcut button with MortButtons, and it works!!!
As mentioned, the culprit might be my other plugins that are fighting for screen attention..
Also, if it helps, I also did the BigStorage hack (using the "2-byte" method) to my mini. now it's running 1.11.00WWE and i have a couple of MAJOR issues too. Most annoying thing is CallerID sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, i might want to reinstall the old callerID version to check if it helps.
so, please keep up the good work and update us if there is any new findings and developements for this plugin and your other WIPs!!
Thanks!!!!!

doesn't seem to work on MDA2 with WM5.0
The words phone and contacts disappear from the menubar but I can't use the extra space

vijay555 said:
ampda - a thought occurs to me. Are you sure the bitmap you're using as a backdrop is big enough? Obviously now it needs to be 320-26=294 pixels high. Can you check that?
Also, try installing some more today plugins to force a scroll bar to be displayed. Then check where the little "^" and "v" arrows on the scrollbar end - hopefully they should be aligned with the very top and bottom edge of the screen. If not, then I have to change the code. If they are aligned properly, then the issue (should) be your backdrop image size.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah your right it was simply the size of the backgroud image. I treid a different image and it worked, the scroll bar ran right to the bottom of the page.
Thanks again for this app.
PS (Still the only way of implementing your app for me is in the startup folder)

Guys - I can't test this on WM5. I suppose I might be able to use the emulator, but I don't have access to the device. Might get around to this one day.
The app is a standalone app, so run it once and forget about it, each time you soft reset. Sometimes you need to click it twice, if it doesn't work the first time. If it doesn't work after that, it won't work!
About feeling sensitive! I only try to warn people off from it if it's likely to screw up their system - there's nothing in it that can cause harm, only inconvenience, but don't put it in the startup folder IMHO because you don't know what will get in the way of the today screen. I use a boot password and it doesn't work at all then.
Thanks for the feedback all.
V

Hi Vijay,
just to give you confidence..
here's how my screen looks like after making your wonderful app works

ToggleStart - Omnipotent today [old - please see new thread]

Guys - this has been updated here
Guys -
Before installation:
{
"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"
}
After Install:
In use:
Dual functionality:
Ok, this is still beta, but works fine on my system.
it's an extension of the ToggleToday idea, so before getting excited, go and have a read of that (although, look at the pictures first to see if you like what you see). They are not the same program, although they work nicely, and indeed best with each other.
Theory: I don't like all the junk on my today screen, so ToggleToday, my previous program, removed the menu bar from the bottom of the screen.
The new program, ToggleStart, carries this theme futher.
The start bar, ie the bar at the top of the screen on your PPC, carries a number of functions that are useful in phoneedition, ie Signal strength, GPRS status (the G we all hate) and clock and volume.
However, after ToggleToday, there was some discussion about extending the Today screen to be even more useful; hence, ToggleStart, which does just that: it toggles display of the bar at the top of the screen.
Now, this would usually be useless, and is certainly not necessary if you use somethink like WISBar. But read on:
What if we hide the Startbar, but show something more useful instead - we're going to show the Today screen. So, clicking on ToggleStart will hide the bar and show through your Today screen at the top of every window. This, again, would normally be useless.
But, look at the example PhoneAlarm skin I've used and supplied.
This is configured to mimic much of the normal Start Bar functionality, but to be more useful. You aren't restricted to using my phone alarm skin, and if you've got a more important Today screen plugin to show, stick it at the top of your Today Plugins and it'll show through. But Phonealarm for me:
So, what happens:
Your StartBar actually shrinks to 2 pixels high. So the very top 2 pixels of your screen are the start bar, and work in the same way as normal. this is important, because you won't be able to see the OK/Close button and the volume buttons etc any more. But, if you know where they are, click just above them, at the top of the screen, and you'll click them.
This is IMPORTANT - remember, to click ok/close, click just above the Signal strength indicator (ie, where the normal OK button would be, but just above it, right at the top of the screen).
This is true for all of the normal start bar functionality. It's all there, but right at the top of the screen. This takes a bit of getting used to, but works. Also, this means that you've got twice the functionality - clicking on volume on my phonealarm skin will set phonealarm profiles, but just above it will set volume etc.
This is a toggle. Click once, the magic happens. Click once again, it unhappens and everything's back to normal. It won't eat your machine or anything, but worst case, SOFT reset. Don't put it in your startup folder unless you can rescue yourself. I don't use it like this, but you might want to.
Anyway, I recommend this:
-Install phonealarm and put it at the top of your today plugins. Ensure it works.
-Unzip my PhoneAlarm skin to your \Programfiles\phonealarm directory.
-Go to phone alarm and enable my skin VJTinyToday_min.skn
Ensure it works (note - clicking on the left few pixels on my skin will enable configuration. Clicking on the OS X icon will toggle to message display (this has some bugs due to phonealarm, not me). NOTE the phone alarm skin is beta - I'm not sure if the battery and signal strength are perfect yet, I did it at 4am, but I think it works. Feedback welcome.
-Optionally (and recommended) use ToggleToday. Use this BEFORE ToggleStart if you're going to use it, otherwise your screen will go funny.
-Click on ToggleStart. Hopefully now, you should be able to use my phonealarm skin all the time. Hope it's useful.
-You may need to refresh your screen - go to another app, and then back to Today Screen to see the finished product.
It's easy to recolour the skin. I'm enclosing my CETuner color theme, but basically the blue colour is RGB 207,147,247. Recolour in paint or anything!
It's a beta version - I'm going to join this to ToggleToday to do both in one, or either/or, as desired.
I don't know if anyone finds this useful. i don't know if I do yet! But give it a go and feedback! SCREENSHOTS please.
V
CAB
EXE
PhoneAlarm Skin (note, this only has icons for Home, Work, Meeting (rename it to silent in phonealarm profiles) and Flight. Feel free to make more if you need them) Clicking on the very left edge of phonealarm will bring up the config dialog. Clicking on the OSX icon will switch to message info view (if you've received text message, it'll show you the text of it etc).
CETuner Scheme
:!: Note: read the warnings on ToggleToday on the other thread if you haven't already. Basically, don't put it in your startup folder - wait for your PDA to load up and finish, go to the Today screen, and then run it.
:!: Note 2: ToggleToday doesn't work with WinMobile 2005, and neither program works in VGA. Don't say I didn't warn you. I'll work on this at some point.
- remember, ToggleToday BEFORE ToggleStart, and OK button is still in the normal place, just right at the top of the screen (above signal strength).
V

RE
Hi vijay555,
Thanks
There is a problem though. I'm using MS voice command to activate both your programs.
When I activate the ToggleStart the top bar was hidden and my phonealarm bar moves to the top. Splendid as I've more scrfeen real estate! :lol:
When I activate the ToggleToday the bottom bar was hidden. Great! Now the problem comes in that the phonealarm bar moves downward and duplicates itself ie. I have now 2 phonealarm bar :roll:
In order to get back to original top bar I'll have to activate ToggleStart TWICE!
Can you solve this issue? I'm using O2 XDAII with WM2003se.
Thanks again.

RE
Hi vijay555,
Another problem.
If I'll to open a program how do I close it. Your last screenshot is a good example. Other program shows a 'OK' button on the top right hand corner to close that program which is missing if I'll to use ToggleStart. Try going into the Display Settings of phonealarm after you activated the ToggleStart and you'll know what I mean.
Can something be done?
Thanks

FOSA - thanks for the tip about ToggleToday before ToggleStart. I've changed the post to reflect this - use ToggleToday first, (if you want to use it, it's not needed, although is recommended).
Then run ToggleStart.
I don't know about voice command, don't use it (anymore) but so long as you follow the same warnings about ToggleToday (ie don't put it in your startup folder) you should be ok. Don't put either one in the startup folder.
Shortly I'll be joining these two progs together, and will make the ToggleToday functionality a bit more robust, right now it's a bit dopey, but works perfectly for me to do what it's supposed to do.
Regarding the OK button - when writing the looong post yesterday, i had made sure I'd written about this, but I've highlighted it above about 5 times now!
Basically: toggleStart shrinks your start bar down to the TOP 2 pixels of the screen, all the way along. So you want to click ok? Click ok - it's still there, but only 2 pixels high. So, to do this, click directly above the signal strength indicator. Obviously you can't see the ok/close button now, (and you might want to edit a theme or something to make it easier to find 'blind'), but it's still there. So, as indicated, all of the start bar functions are there, but in the top 2 pixels. So click on the left above the OS X icon to get the normal Start Menu. Click on the OS X icon to switch skins. Click on profiles to change phonealarm profile. Click above it to change the PDA's volume.
See if this works. If you have problems, back to the drawing board
V

RE
Hi vijay555,
Thanks.
Finally, I found what you were explaining about closing screen, however, the duplicate phonealarm bars problem still exists.
ToggleToday and ToggleStart programs are put in the Program Files folder
OK, here's how the problem appear. Without using MS Voice Command,
a) activated TodayToggle - bottom bar hidden
b) activated TodayStart - top bar hidden (phonealarm bar moves up)
c) activated TodayToggle again - bottom bar appears and now I have duplicate phonealarm bar
So, there's no problem with MS Voice Command and its not related to where I put the files ToggleToday and ToggleStart in my case
Can you check? Thanks

So from a fresh today screen:
To load:
1. Load toggle today - bottom bar disappears.
2. Load ToggleStart - top bar disappears and becomes slightly messy. (now change away to any other window, and come back, and it should look correct).
Finished!
To unload:
1. Load togglestart FIRST.
2. Then load toggletoday.
It should all work nicely then.
The order is important; later versions will do both jobs in one.
Glad you worked out where the buttons where! I managed to get home to do the screenshot.
V

is it just me but why has nobody asked you for that really smart phone alarm skin,
anychance i can get a copy?

fuzzysb - obviously I'm doing something wrong:
there's a link already posted to about 500pages :!: down my first post.
It's a skin I knocked together. It works very nicely with this hack (it's designed to align with the normal start functions, so you can use both at the same time - eg click phonealarm profile=set profile. Click above it=set volume), but perfectly fine on it's own.
I spoke to Bruce, the guy that made phonealarm, and soon-ish he'll be putting a clock onto phonealarm, so the skin will be even more useful.
I'm working on a new version of this hack. Clearly no one's interested in using it so far! It works great on my system tho
V
PS you weren't the first to ask

yeah i have just seen it, you are not doing something wrong it is just that i am a thick t**t

vijay555 said:
I'm working on a new version of this hack. Clearly no one's interested in using it so far! It works great on my system tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am interested... saw you post on the phoneAlarm skin page..
Looks like a great program, just waiting til I get some time to run a backup before installing ;-)
Is it possible to run something like SPB Plus in the background? and phoneAlarm in the middle?

sphinx88 - you have my assurance you don't need a backup
It doesn't do anything other than graphical, so worst case, soft reset will get you back on your feet. But, the basic advice:
Code:
-don't put ToggleToday in your startup folder
-Run Toggletoday first.
-Then run ToggleStart
To Unload:
-Run ToggleStart
-Run ToggleToady
Simple eh?
I think i've made it sound a hell of a lot more confusing than it needs to be!
Each program is distinct and optional from the other, depending on the effect you want - no top bar, no bottom bar, or no either bar!
How do you mean about SPBPlus?
ToggleStart actually just shrinks the start bar to the top 2 pixels of your PDA. Then in the gap left behind, you can see your Todayscreen. So you can stick anything you want in the remaining 24 pixels, I use my phonealarm skin, but you can put SPB Plus there. It'd be quite a good idea, but you can't see a lot in 24 pixels high! Phonealarm is perfect, maybe a launcher app, anything really, (eg your scheduler?), just remember you've only got 24 pixels to play with.
If you use it, please post screenshots. I'm interested to see how people play with this!
v

OK We are loaded and Working Well!
This also give me some great ideas for skins... Your is perfect for working on the PDA with a stylus, but when I am driving, I like the big buttons. WOuld you mind if I modified your skin with a Large and Small version?
Tested a couple of skins they all preform well. Great LITTLE LITTLE program!
I think Phone Alarm lets you execute programs, I may use something that is triggered by differnet modes.
FYI - Running and XV6600 Verizon.. No problems seems stable.

Of course - good idea. Don't know if it's really practical that small though - it's just a "shortcut" to the today screen really.
Use phonealarm's change skin on profile, and make a nice chunky skin.
I'd suggest you make one that works so that you can always see the basics at the top, and when you switch to the today screen, you reveal the rest of the skin as a nice chunky affair?
Please post screenshots!
V

Found Little Bug..
I use PocketBreeze... When ever I recieve a phone call or make a phone call, the Settings pops up through what every applciation I am on.
I will try and post a screen shot later..

this is great! I love it!
running ToggleStart & PhoneAlarm on wm2005...
thanx
buzz
ps: I guess i'll buy the PhoneAlarm....

buzz_lightyear :shock:
You use your WM2005 right? My other program, toggletoday, wouldn't be useful for you. It gives a nice fullscreen Today on < WM2005
Re: PocketBreeze don't have it. Try to post screenshots. Will have a look at it shortly.
V

RE
Hi vijay555
The icons for the ToggleStart and ToggleToday are the same color and design. This pose a problem when I put them side-by-side in a launcher bar.
Do you think you can either change the color or the design for one of them?
Thanks

FOSA - icons have been changed.
Uninstall the old version (probably not necessary if you haven't moved them) and redownload the cab from the link above as before.
Reinstall, and you may have to soft reset to get the system to pick up the new icons.
V

RE
Thanks. Got it!

(
yeah, phoneAlarm is running on wm2005, but not counting msgs....
toggleStart runs cool. and it's useful to have it assigned to hw button...
thanx
buzz

New-ish! VJToggleToday 16% bigger Today screen :)

30 June 2006:
Please note:
ToggleNew, ToggleStart and ToggleToday are WM2003 apps ONLY.
VJToggleToday II alpha is WM5 only. You can download the alpha release here. But please read the thread from the end, backwards, to find out its limitations.
Remember that you can launch it with the command line
Code:
-config
to show the settings.
_________________________________________________
23 Oct 2005 Guys, this is a newer beta version. Read second page of thread for info
Guys:
This is hopefully the new and slightly improved version of my today screen hacks seen here and here.
This version is hopefully startup folder safe - I drop it into my startup folder and it does the business quite safely.
- This has been only tested on PPC2003; it should work fine on all PPCs.
- I'm not sure what it will do on WM2005 - Buzz, anyone? It should be fine at removing the Start Bar on WM2005 - but you don't have the equivalent New bar to remove to begin with.
- ToggleStart should work fine on VGA, but ToggleNew will not.
Try it - tell me if it crashes out. Don't put it in your start folder until you know it works. If it works, great!
I don't think this is Wisbar compatible, read page 3 of the thread!
So recall: this program or suite of programs can remove the New bar at the bottom of the today screen. It can also remove the start bar at the top of the screen, shrinking it down to 2 pixels for use in the following manner with PhoneAlarm or your weapon of choice:
After Installation of ToggleNew:
{
"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"
}
After Installation of ToggleStart:
ToggleStart in use:
Dual functionality - tiny start bar at the top of the screen, alongside PhoneAlarm:
Please uninstall the old version of VJToggleStuff before installing the new version.
CAB version
Individual .exe if required:
ToggleNew
ToggleStart
TodayToggle
Ok - so the cab should install 3 files into \program files\VJSoft\
it should also make some shortcuts in your Programs Menu.
We have 3 files:
BEGINNERS guide:
ToggleNew.exe will Toggle on and off the "New" bar at the bottom of your today screen.
ToggleStart.exe will Toggle on and off the Start bar at the TOP of your today screen. PLEASE ensure you know how to use the shrunken Start bar - it's still there, but tiny and along the top edge. OK button is still where it should be, top right corner of the screen (see the screenshots above). Please read the old threads to get the idea, or just try it! Soft reset if you get stuck.
Beginners can ignore TodayToggle.exe.
ADVANCED USERS:
TodayToggle.exe The three files are actually the same program - but some people will like to assign them to a hardware key to toggle things on and off on a whim so I've made ToggleNew and ToggleStart toggle the single item. However, TodayToggle will, by default, toggle BOTH the New bar and the Start bar at the same time - if that's what you want and know how to use the shrunken start bar.
However, the programs take a command line option if you are secure with creating shortcuts:
Code:
TodayToggle.exe menu
will toggle the New menu bar ONLY
Code:
TodayToggle.exe start
will toggle the Start bar ONLY
Code:
TodayToggle.exe both
or
Code:
TodayToggle.exe
will toggle both at the same time
If you're confident in creating shortcuts, you can get rid of ToggleNew.exe and ToggleStart.exe, and just use TodayToggle.exe with command lines.
Note that TodayToggle.exe also contains three icons, so using something like claunch or a shortcut you can assign the Min, Max and UpDown icons as appropriate.
/end of advanced user guide
All:
I hope you find these useful. Read the old threads to get the hang of what you can do with it.
You can get my phonealarm skin from here. Please read this thread to read how to use it with ToggleStart.
I consider this software beta until you guys report back and say it's ok or worst case, it turned your PDA into a Nokia.
Don't forget - after installing these hacks you'll need a bigger wallpaper to fill the extra space! If you don't, the wallpaper tiles itself.s
Also - if you use something like SPB battery monitor at the top of the screen, you won't be able to use a shrunken Start Bar (ie ToggleStart) correctly. Disable it or read this thread
Please post screenshots if you do anything nice with this stuff.
Vijay
August 31 2005:
- SIP keyboard panel issue [Grumble's post]. It will hide itself in normal use

Nice work Vijay but (you knew it was coming didnt ya) the function I wanted this app for was the Hide New. When I run it, 'new' disappears as expected but leaves a white line in its place. Also if I exit an app it leaves the input button showing (see screenshot).
Is this something to do with the size of the bitmaps created for themes ?
Oh well a nice app anyway and Im sure I can get used to the white line

Yep Grumble, this issue is posted on the old threads - I'll update the first post to remind users - you now need a bigger wallpaper to fill the screen :wink:
The white line was actually on your wallpaper to begin with! The PPC tiles the wallpaper if it's not big enough - so it's actually repeating your wallpaper, white line and all. The white line is actually hidden behind the start bar at the top of your screen normally. Try running togglestart to see!
I've noticed the keyboard input thing - it seems to disappear in normal usage.
V

The case here is that your wallpaper ain't big enough. PLease remember when the people made their TSK, they did not put into consideration that the bottom bar could be knocked off. I have the same problem but I just made a way to cover it up. As for the keyboard being there, I noticed this problem comes when you have MortPlayer installed and when you hit the red phone button to take it off your screen. Basically it leaves the keyboard item there.

Mvmajorem - did you try the new version?
I had to rewrite the thing from scratch in Visual Studio 2005. I'm not sure if I screwed anything up on the way.
V

I've tried the new plugin and it does leave the keyboard behind ruining what you wanted to achieve in the first place.
Still thanks for the release, the icon you used now is better, that is all i can say.

BTW, is there a way to make the Start Bar transparent or even change the Start button icon without the use of 3rd party software.

Guys, if the keyboard icon comes up, try pressing the green call button and then going back. It should be gone. I might look into this issue if it's a big problem.
Transparent start bar - kinda possible, but not without some 3rd party software as far as I know. I might look into knocking something together, but I'm working on a couple of other hacks and something that might make ToggleToday even more useful I hope. It's more important right now
V

Vijay,
I've gone back to the older version. I like it much better without the keyboard sticking out.
I love the program!
BTW: Where can I learn to make these kinds of software?

offtopic
vijay555 sorry but...
[Graphic1.png]
BTW...in wm5
[1.png]
tnx,
jojo

xda2jojo - what's wrong with Imelda?
I'm using an old screenshot so it's always the same quote!
I've got 500 of them altogether
The WM2005 version - works ok?
Mvmajorem - I'll look into the keyboard issue. I don't think it happens with the old version right? If not, it should be easy to fix.
V

vijay555 said:
xda2jojo - what's wrong with Imelda?
I'm using an old screenshot so it's always the same quote!
I've got 500 of them altogether
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nothin' wrong but she mess-up our country with huge debt...and she is still free!
vijay555 said:
The WM2005 version - works ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup! i notice that its freezes my today receiving sms...nevertheless...
tnx,
jojo

Vijay
This is great. The two combined and on one hardware button.
This is my screen ;
Kill Bob, Mick, Harry - any of them, I just don't care !!!

Rick GM - lovely!
I've got a couple more refinements to make... will try and keep you posted.
Rick - did you notice the problem with the SIP (keyboard icon) with the previous version? I'm not really doing anything different with this version, but the SIP icon pops up occassionally. I can force it to hide, but it would require reworking the program into something that will eat CPU. I don't want that - if you find the problem, just press the green key (call button) and go back and it should be gone.
I've had to enlarge my NotesToday as well because there's so much more room now!
It seems like no one is interested in my new program which goes nicely with a fresh Today screen - it causes the today to pop up on hardware keypress, but only stay onscreen for as long as you hold the button. So eg you're in Contacts, but want to check NotesToday, you can pop into Today and back again to Contacts with no clicks.
Keep posting screenshots and/or problems! :wink:
V

Vijay
The keyboard icon does stay after you close an application but I just press my Toggle hardware button twice (diasble/enable) and it's gone.
Haven't tried the new app yet but am more than happy with the functionalityof what you've already done!

Does anybody know - where to get this plugin?
[/img]

Is it normal that after a soft reset,the files are gone?!!!

vijay555
Could you please pack your skin in cab file, i don't understand how to install it. Thank you in advance!

Vijay,
Anyway you can address the keyboard issue ? That did not exist with your previous version.
BTW, this works awesome is start up. Had not had issue with it at all.

Please! Solve the SIP issue, it s really annoying. It s good app!

Feedback? AutoHiding StartBar/NewBar/Reminders

Guys,
Do any of you use my Today Toggle software in full screen mode?
I've developed an "auto-hiding" start bar and new menu bar (the one at the bottom of the today screen) to go in conjunction with my full screen today screen.
Theory - use my TodayToggle to have a fullscreen today. But that hides away your start bar to a small line (usable but small). For some that can be disconcerting, and you also lose some minor functionality (the clock!).
So, here's what I've invented. But I don't think any of you guys use it!
My basic today screen (new bar is hidden, but start bar is shown):
{
"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"
}
Note the tiny dots in the top left corner? That's my new program, HideStart.
Ok: clicking on the dots hides the start bar and shows my PhoneAlarm skin instead
Click and holding the dots brings up a menu, with the time, and an option to toggle the New Menu bar:
And toggling the new menu bar shows it, in a more convenient place!
Would any of you guys ever have use for this?
V

RE
Hi vijay555,
Post your new HideStart here and let us have a try
Thanks

If this could be set to simply toggle the start and new bar at the top (without using a popup menu), I'd find it very useful. I don't use PhoneAlarm hence only needing to switch between the two. It would also need to be compatible with TillanoSoft's SmallMenuPlus.
It might be useful to allow the dots to be left or right by user option too.
Like FOSA says, post it here and let us have a play.

mtbsoft - I use SmallMenuPlus so it's certainly compatible with it.
It needs a couple of tweaks, so I'll release it shortly... but I think I'm the only one that uses the Fullscreen phonealarm hack, so there's not much point muddying waters by releasing it in that form.
Your idea for a Startmenu/NewBar toggle is probably better for most users. I'll see if I can knock that up.
V

Fantastic, I look forward to it.

Hi Vijay,
Can you like switch the start menu on the bottom and put the new menu on the top? it will be a cool feature... thanks in advance
::adit

adit - I could do that, but are you sure you would want it?
An idea would be to move the start bar to the bottom of the screen like the old WinCe, and shift the whole screen up to fill the gap.
I'll try it out at home to see if it's usable. But some things are hard coded to find the start bar at the top, eg notification balloons (and new bar menus are hardcoded to appear at the bottom). So although I could do it, it'd be more for "advanced users" - ie geeks like me!
V

Guys - a new hack:
Don't you hate it when your reminders pop up - you want to remember them, but you can't be bothered to Snooze them for 5 mins each?
I've managed to add a new mod to send reminders to the back, ie push them out of the way, but still keep them all intact.
Let me demonstrate:
A normal reminder, demonstrating my NewBar hack at the top of the screen. Note the little reminder icon on the left of the tray?
My hack "ghosts" the alarm, so that it is still visible but sent can now be pushed aside, ie you can operate your PPC normally, but view the reminder screen anytime
You call up the reminders again using the little alarm icon in the tray.
The reminders can then be activated, dismissed etc as normal.
Not for release yet - just a work in progress
V

RE
Hi vijay555,
Can you make that tray icon blink to red color so that its more visible?
Thanks

vijay555 said:
Don't you hate it when your reminders pop up - you want to remember them, but you can't be bothered to Snooze them for 5 mins each?
I've managed to add a new mod to send reminders to the back, ie push them out of the way, but still keep them all intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stunning idea, dammit but you must be psychic! I was just thinking no more that an hour ago what a pain the current implementation of reminders is.
I agree with FOSA on the colour and blinking would be even better.
What happens about the sound though when the alarm is pushed to the back? Is it muted or does it continue (and what if it is via a third party product like SuperAlert or Pocket Plus?)?
Edit:
Now here's a challenge for you. Can you actually modify the reminders window that appears? I would love just three big buttons (like my old Psion)...
Snooze - for 5 minutes, multiple presses add 5 minutes, wraps round at 60;
silence - leaves the dialog (perhaps behind using your hack) but silences any sound;
dismiss - clears the reminder;
all easily navigable using just the d-pad.
Can it be done!?!?

Guys - the alarm icon in the tray isn't actually implemented by me, it's part of the OS, curiously (I don't understand why it's there, since it can never be accessed when reminders are on screen), but it's there. I could probably make it flash, but it would require timers and things that would eat system resources. I'll think about it, but I don't like chewing up resources on the system.
Reminders continue to behave in exactly the same fashion as normal - all I've done is prevented them from hogging the screen, so they can be viewed and acted upon at will rather than demanding immediate attention.
This idea is more of a "thought experiment" right now. I'm not quite sure how to implement it into a usable tool. It works nicely right now, if a reminder pops up you can still (and always) access my little dots, choose "Reminder" from the menu (not shown in the screenshots) and it'll neuter the reminder dialog.
I thought about remodelling the dialog myself actually, to make it more thumb friendly. I'm afraid I can't change the nature of the snooze dropdown combo (ie each click adds five minutes), but I can certainly change the size and position of the buttons to be more accessible. I think that's quite essential
I've got a couple of more ideas to put into this tool, and one idea for a very cool hack that I don't think has been done before to bring a bit of WM2005 to WM2003 :wink: However, I'm on holiday from Saturday for 2 weeks, so it may have to wait.
Damn you topless beach!
V

Hi vijay,
sorry for the late reply i was busy with my work. anyway yes, i would love that feature switch everything like winCE. for the notification, can't we just like use "fake-but-working" icons like u did on the reminder alarm icon? we can add icons afaik thru editing the registry and make it clickable to show those notifications, that way it won't look odd? but i don't know, do u think its possible? thanks in advance.
::adit

Guys, updated here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=27722&highlight=
V

[new release] VJBigPhone VGA Phone Dialler Fix (beta)

New readers, please skip this part, read the rest of this post, and then come back here:
[edit 29 November 2005 02:32]
Guys, I've updated to version 0.5; download the cab here
I've left the original cab link on my website in case v0.5 screws up.
I've only updated VJBigPhoneRes in cab v0.5, not the standalone.
Note that in order to install the new cab, you will have to run the original
VJBigPhoneRes before the installation in order to close it down.
Then install the new cab.
Additionally, download this cab to fix the button text (it puts text in the middle) and this file to fix the backdrop painting issue by putting a new backdrop in your \windows\ folder, thanks to Azhad!
The new version also fixes the wireless manager (see below), and hopefully moves all buttons. I can't test this without your help, so give it a go and post here if there are problems.
I haven't fixed the see through backdrop, I explain why below.
VJBigPhoneRes cannot fix the caller progress dialog the first time the phone is run (eg after a soft reset), because until you've made a call or shown the dialog, the caller progress doesn't exist. However, after you've loaded the phone, it should fix it all times in the future.
Rotation and fixing the phone won't force the phone on top now. It should all be done in the background.
If this version works, it's one step away from a translatable version for Hebrew etc. So please test.
Once we've got the dialler buttons working, I'll work on fixing the paint problem.]
Original post
Guys,
I'm sure all you Universal guys have applied the VGA hack and have since discovered how it foobars your phonedialler.
Until some one gets around to making a dynamic resolution changer, I'm presenting VJBigPhone to permit you to use the phone dialler in VGA mode.
It is hot off the press. Let me say, this took many hours of finicky work, and I'd appreciate a donation if you use it, because I did this for you guys. I don't use my Universal as a phone, so this is purely for me to give to the Community </end guilt trip>
Ok. first
it's for the English edition of WM5 only
I will get around to making it translatable, but right now my behind and my head both hurt from too much coding
The cab will install two files in your
start menu > vijay555 > vjbigphone
The file VJBigPhone can be launched each time you want to fix the phone. You will have to do this on startup and each time you change screen orientation.
The file VJBigPhoneRes is resident version. That means it will stay in memory and fix the phone every time you change orientation automatically. To unload the resident version, just launch it a second time. It will give you a message to show it's been closed.
Choose which version you require (but use only one at a time).
For most purposes VJBigPhoneRes should be best, and can be placed in your startup folder to fix the phone automatically.
This should work at any DPI, although I don't know if the button images are always available.
Example use:
before VJBigPhone
{
"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"
}
After VJBigPhone
And landscape:
After VJBigPhone
Call Progress
Wireless Manager:
before:
after:
(note Wireless Manager will only be fixed after you've loaded it once. If you don't load it once, it won't fix it. So load wireless manager before VJBigPhoneRes, or force it to be fixed by changing rotation AFTER you've loaded it)
Issues:
- The buttons look pretty good, although the text seems to be a bit offline. I can't fix that, it seems to be coded internally.
- The dialler skins built in don't seem big enough to cover the bottom of the window; the background shows through a little. I can't fix that.
[edit:
I've figured out why the dialler background looks funny.
This screenshot shows a composite of a QVGA screen and a VGA screen resized to match.
The OS accounts 26 pixels for the start bar and the soft menu buttons. However, going from QVGA to VGA, you can see that those bars are only half of the size the OS expects at QVGA. So, we have a number of pixels unaccounted for, and they don't get painted.
This can be partially corrected, but I will only try to fix this after the dialler buttons are working correctly)
Composite:
Cab is available above.
Please leave feedback here or on my forum
Don't forget the donation!
If you can't make a donation, at least check out my ads on my webpage.
V
v0.2: Hopefully fixed the bug with the video call buttons
v0.3: Now supports resident version (fixes the phone 0.5 seconds after you rotate, to allow for any slowdown caused by other software).
v0.5: Fixes updates in the background so phone doesn't pop up on rotation, fixes wireless manager and hopefully corrects all buttons.

I will try now, YOU ARE A LEGEND, AND IF IT WORKS,Donations on the way to you bank account. Have a bloody wonderful life and remember you are a legend.........

[updated at 2320 11 November 2005]
Seal and anyone else: you might want to redownload the cab if you downloaded it in the last 30 mins.
I've just removed the bit that changed the titlebar text to say my name. As much as I love egotism, it might intefere with other programs including one I'm writing myself
No functional difference so if you like my name, keep it there!
V

Just trying it, vijay.
I thought you'd been quiet lately. Didn't realise you were doing your inventing...
I can't get this to work. I opened the CAB and it installed. Nothing in the phone changed. I did a soft reset just in case.
I tap the icon Programs -> vijay555 -> VJBigPhone -> VJBigPhone and I see the phone dialler screen with a dialog over the top saying 'Already fixed the Phone!'
I tap OK on the dialog and nothing changes.
Where did I go wrong? :?:
I'm in landscape mode and have been since I installed it.
Great to hear we might have this solution though. Good work! :cheers:
Edit: When I flipped to portrait mode and then ran the app again it worked.

SiliconS: it should work in any orientation.
Install the app.
On launching VJBigPhone it will find the phone app. If it's not loaded, it'll load it.
Then, it'll fix the keys and make a note that it's fixed the keys.
Then if you try to run it again you'll get the dialog that it's already fixed em.
However, if you change orientation, the phone app positions all the keys, so you have to run VJBigPhone again.
I wonder why it didn't work the first time you ran it?
How is it now?
Post screenshots if they're helpful or interesting!
V
PS Quiet? I got the fullscreen terminal services hack out this week, feeling the wrath of my better half for my efforts! A bunch of other stuff releaed over the last week or so (smaller things I think) and been working on my website.
I'll be trying to launch a blog very shortly to post my musings on what needs hacking. Left Handed scrollbars have my name all over them...

OK: some quick 'n dirty first feedback.
Would be nice if the text on the buttons were larger. Not a big deal though.
Is there some way of hooking into the screen rotate event in the OS to capture the need to re-run the app? Maybe cos it's not memory-resident it doesn't know what's going on.
Great step forward though.
and lmao @ "send me a small donation via paypal. It will [help] me to keep giving you stuff free!" (I'm assuming that's a deliberately ironic statement! )

tis supposed to be ironic, although the sentiment is that the software is all free. However, if you like it and it makes you feel all tingly inside, send a donation! But you don't have to. But I might start killing puppies if you don't :wink:
Text on the buttons is nothing to do with me, I can't fix that. They're fixed by the dialler, unforunately.
I could hook the rotation event, but hooking is very cpu intensive (because you're pretty much hooking every event, and then filtering the ones you don't want. As such, it's wasteful. As is polling every few seconds). I generally don't hook or poll :shock: but if there's an overwhelming need, I will. But, I don't change orientation that often, so it's not too bad.
V

Another thought: This could be handy in the car, combined with PocketZenPhone: Switch to car profile in PZP which runs VJBigPhone to make sure that the dialler is full size ready for calls on the move. Hmm. I can see that being useful... We'll see
Other than that I think I'd need to map it to a button somehow so that I could fix the phone instantly if I needed the dialler.
Edit: amended cos my original post sounded negative...

The video phone button is stuffed up, it is still in the old position, you can still see it in landscape view.
I noticed that in all your pictures the video call button is missing.

Hmmm, I don't have a video call button.
I guess it's something from the extended ROM i never installed.
Can you post a screenshot?
V

II got an error "Couldnt't find the Phone", maybe cuz iI have hebrew language installed.... :\

zpdy, yes, it's clearly English language only. Once I get it working properly, I'll convert it over to a translatable version.
V

Ok, thanks to Buzz I unlocked my Extended Rom and installed the video call poo. FYI, it slows down your system. I'm going to clear it out as soon as this prog is finished.
So, this version (0.3) now fixes the video call buttons and some other stuff.
However, I don't use the phone at all on my universal, so I don't know if I've missed any buttons, so let's say if you find any issues, please be nice and mail me, pm, or post on my forum/here. Send a screenshot if you can.
The new cab contains a standalone version, in case you have troubles with the resident one.
The other file is a resident version. Despite talking out of my rear end earlier, the resident version should use minimal resources, and will fix the dialler 0.5 seconds after your change orientation (to allow for any slowdown caused by other software you're using).
Either version can be put in your startup folder. I recommend the resident version.
Please post if you find any issues.
V :wink:
ps if this technique works, I'll get around to the foreign language version some time.

vijay555 YOU ARE A LEGEND, thanks for the phone skinning program.
Love it. :lol:

Is it working ok? Any other issues?
V

seal said:
VGA is awesome, We just need the phone dialer bigger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess its time to change your signature seal
Great stuff VJ!
S

How's it working for you guys?
Any issues?
I dread to hear them, but you might as well get them off your chest!
V

fyi all: don't use a task killer to close the phone app. if you do vjbigphoneres won't update the buttons again until you change orientation. use vjbigphone as a standalone fix or get your taskiller to ignore cprog.exe
v

Seal, thanks for the donation! :wink:
Can somebody post here or send me a pic of the qvga dialler? I'm not sure if I'm formatting the screen entirely correctly, that white bit at the bottom bothers me and I can't remember what the qvga dialler looks like. The VGA setup is already flaky enough to risk de-ozvga-ing :shock:
If this technique is working ok for everyone then I'll tidy it up a bit internally and try to work on an international version. And some other stuff I had up my sleeves
V

Yes if you could fill the bottom of the dialer area so you can't see the screen behind it, that would be awesome.