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

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!

New! BETA!! Thumb Friendly Reminders and More!

Guys,
This program is BETA
It only works on the English WM2003 Rom, and QVGA only (for now)
Backup your system and give it a go, it can't do anything dangerous, worst case just soft reset. But backup just in case :wink:
Ok, as of writing WM2005 might be out on Magician, so I'm distracted.
But, this is a minor advancement of a proof of concept I put up here.
This version has a major improvement. Read and see...
On loading up, you will see some tiny dots in the top left. It can't be moved for now, and you can't change the image for now (you can use a resource hacker if you want)
{
"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"
}
In normal use it does nothing. If the dots are active they will show the current time and Battery level.
Clicking on the dots will bring up your New Bar - the bar that is normally at the bottom of your Today screen! This means that you can access the New menu or bluetooth or activesync etc from your normal screen. Click it again to go back to your Start Bar. This hack is particularly useful will my TodayToggle program.
Ok: clicking and holding on the dots will bring up a menu. There's only one active option - Reminders.
Don't you hate it when reminders pop up and block you doing anything else? You don't want to snooze it, you just want to go back to betaplayer etc? Click on the option "Reminders" and the current active reminder will be "ghosted" (it won't do anything until there's a reminder on screen)
The reminders will not now bother you. However, to bring the reminders back up, choose the "reminders" option from the menu again, and it will come back up! Note the little alarm icon in the New Bar? That shows that you've got outstanding reminders.
Finally: piece de resistance
Reminders eh? Why where all the buttons so small? You have to take your stylus out just to click "Dismiss"? Who designed this thing? :roll:
So:
There's a slight delay before the buttons are changed, but hopefully it makes sense. BTW - "All!" means dismiss all. I couldn't fit anything else in
So, whadya think?
This is beta. There's more to add to this program, but I hope it's useful.
Note: it's likely to have some minor CPU usage. If you don't want it, don't use it.
Please provide feedback!
HideStart
If you "lose" the dots, try reloading it. If that doesn't work, close it by going To Settings > System > Memory.
I don't know if it works with Wisbar etc. Try it and report!
V

Could you make it so the close button is not there ? (The cross on the top-right when its active)
You could then close by clicking on the 'dots' and selecting,.. say EXIT, or shutdown option.
Also, when closing down, maybe restoring the New menu ??
Will start to have a play.
Jim.....

I know the snooze button relates to the Snooze combo but, to me, the large buttons should be the All and Snooze, with the Dismiss being the small (or perhaps equal) size - better for hitting in the half light. The large ones should be at the bottom left and right for similar reasons (easier to hit).

nice, as always!!!
buzz

thanks for that

On my S100 with french rom it didn't work very well !
When i load hidestart i can see the time and battery indicators but the dots aren't there !
I've also tried a reminder and the buttons are not changed ! If your hack works like Mamaich hack for the phonedialer it doesn't work maybe because the title of the reminder window is different between roms ( "reminder" in the english rom but "rappel" in the french rom ).
It's just an idea ..

Switchcorp - good point, this is all English right now; I'll update the first post to indicate. If you send me the name of the "Reminder" window, and the exact text on Dismiss, Dismiss All, Snooze (button) and "Snooze:" text I'll try to update it, although probably not before my holiday
I don't understand why you can't see the dots. Did you try launching it again? If you "lose" it, you have to close it with Settings > System > Memory.
Are you using anything like Wisbar etc?
jimbo123 - when closing down it should restore the new menu to it's original state I hope. Please indicate if it doesn't.
I'm going to work on putting a "close" icon on the reminder itself, so instead of having to go to the Menu > Reminders option, there'll automatically be a "close" button to press and hide the reminders. But I got tired last night, so had to leave it!
mtbsoft - I understand about the buttons, and I'll happily reconfigure them, but remember that the All button is only shown if there's more than one reminder active, so you'll only have the Snooze and Dismiss buttons with <2 reminders. The reminder text box can't be made wider because the blue highlight is hardcoded to that width, so I don't have much space to play with
Buzz - get back to work :wink:

Translation :
"Reminder" window -> "Rappel"
"Dismiss" -> "Effacer"
"Dismiss All" -> "Effacer tout"
Snooze (button) -> "Répéter"
"Snooze:" -> "Répéter:" ( i suppose it's the time box ? )
I've tried again by redownloading hidestart ... i see the dots but after the "new bar" moves i've a bug on the bottow of my screen and hidestart is crashed !
I've soft reseted but i can't see the dots anymore ... it's very strange

Switchcorp - thanks for the info, I'll try to put it in.
I don't quite understand about the bug and the crash. Don't use it on your ROM for now, it can't do anything useful (I think the hiding startbar feature also uses English names, I don't have the code in front of me right now).
General:
Are you using anything like Wisbar?
This interface is only very temporary. The functionality will go into another program I'm writing, but I thought the Reminder button hack was useful so put it out now. The dots work well on my colour theme and the position is convenient....
Sorry it doesn't work Switch!
V

I've forgot to say that i don't use any soft like wisbar !
The only hack that i've done is the time under the date ( instead of the time only ).
Soft i use : Phonealarm, Alarm Today, Phone dashboard and PHM tray lauch and SPB Pocket plus.
Only those are active !

No problem vijay555 I like your work and if i can help to improve your app's i'll be happy !
Hidestart is a good companion of the microsoft voice command i think For me it is very usefull
I'll wait that it works with the french roms !
I've tried to desactivate all my today plugins but it doesn't change anything

I'm glad you find some of it useful at least!
Today plugins won't make any difference, i'm sure it's the way I find the windows using the English names... I'll have to find french rom for the emulator I think...
I've got a nice Today Plugin I'm making. Some will find it useful. But i've no time to release it right now :wink: Soon.
V

Guys, I've just noticed a bug on my version (I'm using a different version to the one released here). Can you try writing something using the soft keyboard, eg editing a schedule or something, for longer then 5 seconds.
Does it work correctly? On mine HideStart is stealing focus, ie stopping you writing after a couple of seconds. Feedback if possible please!
V

Hi vijay555,
I also, like full screen and am using your toggle Today program. the HideStart didn’t work in my JAM (Arabic Windows)
I would suggest auto hide for both Start Bar and new Bar after a few second
in today screen and when there is any activity like new message, missed call
or so, the Start Bar only will show up till you clear it then it goes back to hide
again. I think this will be very nice. I assigned Start Menu to one of the Hard
Button and would be nice to have both start Bar and New Bar to show up
when pressing this Hard button!!!
Do you mind spreading your programs in other forum and mention your
name and post???
Thanks and Appreciated,
ksasat

ksasat:
Feel free to distribute any of my stuff anywhere, although try to mention my name and get people to post problems on XDA forums (ie here!)
You should be aware that Hidestart seems to cause a minor problem for me; I use a different version to the one here, so maybe that's the problem, but it seems to take focus while you're typing a message or something after a few seconds. Now one else mentioned this, so as I said, this release is just an idea and if it works for you, great! Please post here and say it works fine. But if not, please indicate here so I can look into it when I get back.
TodayToggle (the latest one) toggle start bar and new bar at the same time using one program. HideStart is English only for now - you'll have to get me the same info supplied by Switchcorp (ie arabic names).
Take care!
V

Hi vijay555
All sorts of problems with this, I'm afraid.
I can launch it ok and the dots appear, I tap them and the new bar moves up to the top... and that's it - no more functionality. I'm using Pocket Plus and think the close/minimise function might be interferring with it. It is still running but I can't do anything with it.
Assuming I can get it working, I'd like to suggest a couple of other changes...
Make the time and battery display optional, I have them visible via other methods and would prefer to see 'Start'.
Make the application 'invisible' to task lists such as Pocket Plus, SmallMenuPlus and RunningPrograms - I think this is part of the problems I'm suffering, it is an application and not a process.
I'll keep trying different combinations to see if I can get it working (and identify why/how).
Congrat's and enjoy the honeymoon!

Congratulation and have fun.
Regards,
ksasat

vijay555 said:
Guys,
This program is BETA
It only works on the English WM2003 Rom, and QVGA only (for now)
Backup your system and give it a go, it can't do anything dangerous, worst case just soft reset. But backup just in case :wink:
Ok, as of writing WM2005 might be out on Magician, so I'm distracted.
But, this is a minor advancement of a proof of concept I put up here.
This version has a major improvement. Read and see...
On loading up, you will see some tiny dots in the top left. It can't be moved for now, and you can't change the image for now (you can use a resource hacker if you want)
In normal use it does nothing. If the dots are active they will show the current time and Battery level.
Clicking on the dots will bring up your New Bar - the bar that is normally at the bottom of your Today screen! This means that you can access the New menu or bluetooth or activesync etc from your normal screen. Click it again to go back to your Start Bar. This hack is particularly useful will my TodayToggle program.
Ok: clicking and holding on the dots will bring up a menu. There's only one active option - Reminders.
Don't you hate it when reminders pop up and block you doing anything else? You don't want to snooze it, you just want to go back to betaplayer etc? Click on the option "Reminders" and the current active reminder will be "ghosted" (it won't do anything until there's a reminder on screen)
The reminders will not now bother you. However, to bring the reminders back up, choose the "reminders" option from the menu again, and it will come back up! Note the little alarm icon in the New Bar? That shows that you've got outstanding reminders.
Finally: piece de resistance
Reminders eh? Why where all the buttons so small? You have to take your stylus out just to click "Dismiss"? Who designed this thing? :roll:
So:
There's a slight delay before the buttons are changed, but hopefully it makes sense. BTW - "All!" means dismiss all. I couldn't fit anything else in
So, whadya think?
This is beta. There's more to add to this program, but I hope it's useful.
Note: it's likely to have some minor CPU usage. If you don't want it, don't use it.
Please provide feedback!
HideStart
If you "lose" the dots, try reloading it. If that doesn't work, close it by going To Settings > System > Memory.
I don't know if it works with Wisbar etc. Try it and report!
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vijay,
Any luck for WM 5.0 Users.
Cheers Taurus

You guys already have soft keys. But I'll see, I need to find out if I can hack the notification balloons for both for VJSihaya anyway.
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.

[new release] VJSmallIcons II - "Programs" view

Guys, this is an update to my old program VJSmallIcons. To say it's long overdue is an understatement
This version retains and persists settings between folders. It can also make the Programs launcher fullscreen. When you go fullscreen, there is a menu option to permit navigation back up to the previous folder.
On a whim, for no good reason at all, I've also implemented my interpretation of the Vista View Mode slider, as seen here in Vista.
The slider can be used to toggle modes. Even if you don't need the app, try the slider! I quite like it :wink: Hopefully you'll see this again in VJSihaya.
Normal Mode
{
"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"
}
Fullscreen Mode
Available on my website!
V

nice unlike the first one, this one works on my device %)
the slider's a bit silly, I suppose, but kinda cute
( are you supposed to be able to drag it? only seems to respond to taps )
However... I just got stuck in a subdir :x VJSmallIconsII disappeared, and tapping 'OK' (which normally goes a dir up) did nothing. Not sure what I did to get in that state. Edit: Found it, check follow-up posts
and a suggestion... the 'go up one level' bit, perhaps it should carry the name of the level above, instead of the current level?
bug report.. if you run it twice, you will seemingly just be using VJSmallIconsII as normal. But changing any of the modes does nothing. If you exit it, it becomes apparent that you were already running it a copy of it - as that instance with its view (which changes correctly) is still there.
btw - nice UI (not sarcasm.. it really is nice!)

whewps.. now it locked up my device >_< I'll try and repro

yay repro
I have PHM PPC Powertoys installed, so I have a dir structure...
"\Program Files\PHM Tools\PHM PPC Powertoys\"
from a fresh boot:
1. Start > Programs (required first-run)
2. Start > VJSmallIconsII (in program history, still)
3. Start > Programs > PHM Tools > PHM PPC Powertoys
4. Tap VJSmallIconsII floater
result: floater disappears
expected result: pop up menu should appear
at this pont everything still seems fine - you can navigate around, etc.
5. Tap OK button
result: nothing happens, you're stuck at this level
expected result: should go up a level
-----
With MagicButton running - Steps 1-4
5. Tap (MagicButton) OK button
result: device locks up
expected result: should go up a level
-----
I don't know if it's the length of the folder name, or the fact that there's two spaces, or... etc. Can't keep poking at it right now

ZeBoxx: Many thanks.
I'll look into the hang. That's not when you're running it twice is it?
It's hanging because it's subclassing the Programs screen, and if for some reason VJSmallIconsII crashes, it'll take the Programs screen down with it.
It does contain code to detect multiple instances, but it occurs to me that because of the way the window is created it's probably not being detected. I didn't contemplate it being run twice I'll fix that!
Yes, slider responds to taps not sliding :wink: Not sure if I'll fix that! At least for now, it's just GUI...
The folder name - good idea, although it's basically for showing what the current folder name is, if you've got it in fullscreen mode and can't see for yourself. I don't mind incorporating either way, whichever you guys think is most logical.
Bug is confirmed with PHM (I have a similar folder structure). I'll look into it when I get home.
V

vijay555 said:
ZeBoxx: Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're welcome
vijay555 said:
I'll look into the hang. That's not when you're running it twice is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably doesn't matter - the hang is just when using MagicButton, so I suspect it's because it's using a different method to 'close' the window?
vijay555 said:
if VJSmallIconsII crashes, it'll take the Programs screen down with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oops
vijay555 said:
I didn't contemplate it being run twice I'll fix that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yay
vijay555 said:
Yes, slider responds to taps not sliding :wink:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*nod*
vijay555 said:
The folder name - good idea ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I figured that it was for full-screen mode mostly
vijay555 said:
whichever you guys think is most logical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you've got my thought

I'm getting a 404 error on the cab file from your site.

I've disabled it for now, because of the bug, until I can get home.
If you still want to give it a go:-
http://www.vijay555.com/vj/Releases/VJSmallIconsII/!VJSmallIconsII.cab
Just be weary of folders with spaces in for now. Can't see why it's a problem until I see the code again
V

vijay555 said:
Just be weary of folders with spaces in for now. Can't see why it's a problem until I see the code again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's why I mentioned two spaces.. e.g. "PHM Tools" - if I'm in there, and I tap VJSmallIconsII - no problem. But once I'm in "PHM PPC Powertoys" - boink.
I'll give it a more thorough testing and report back
~Z

Pooh, I think I remember now. I think I used a 16 char buffer for the folder name. Should be easy to fix. V gets his beautiful ass bitten by a buffer overflow... now to the XBOX 360
V

drat.. I had a reply window still open with:
It's the length of the folder name...
"123456789012345" is fine
"1234567890123456" is not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when I resetted to make sure spaces were fine - and got distracted by StarGate SG-1 >_<
Edit: oh err.. and spaces are fine %)

Thanks Z. Ah, Stargate, welcome me once again to your comforting bossom.
V

"beautiful ass".. "comforting bossom" - I think your thoughts are NSFW, vijay

Hey, it's my ass and bossom Very safe for work: Not much else to distract me at work unfortunately (other then XDA forums!)
I'll get home in an hour or two to fix this bug... Thanks again.
V

What os is this supposed to work with? I put it on my 2002 devices and no go. I don't like to try unfinished stuff on the newer phones that I actually use (as phone).
This is a bit off topic....
vijay555, your programs alway seem so slick. You obviously put a great deal of work into them. My question is, why spend so much time on programs that help the user interact with the device when the there is a lack of programs that provide real usefull functionality. I am not critisizing any of you projects, more just pointing at what I see as a lack of things to actually do with a ppc once you have it working.

Hey unable to download this app from your site!

OdeeanRDeathshead: not sure about 2002. It's been tested on Emulator, WM2003SE and WM5. I don't have any 2002 devices to test it on.
Either way, I'd suggest waiting about 45 mins so I can get the buffer overflow bug fixed.
Re the offtopic: I've got a lot of new stuff to write, but for me, I do a lot of playing around mainly as an offshoot of reading. For this app: I wanted to make an app to hide reminders. Thus I wanted an app to remodel the reminders. Thus I wanted to change the button style of the dismiss all button. As a result I thought I'd try the same on the Programs window. It was semi-useful (I never use Programs), so I released VJSmallIcons. I know one guy who used it - it's a small market
Next I'm working on VJToggleToday II. For that, I needed to make a subclassing routine. It was easier to debug that in VJSmallIcons II. So I wrote the subclasser as reusable code.
At the same time, I got interested in owner drawn menus for a TV Listings app I wrote on the PC in VB, which I want to move over to the PPC eventually:
So I experimented with owner drawn menus, and then for no good reason the slider.
So circling back, the subclasser will be re-used in VJToggleToday II, which is a useful app, and the slider will reappear in some form in VJSihaya.
I don't really have time to write "big" apps like a word processor etc. I write what interests or distracts me, or is otherwise being used for research. It's a hobby My stuff is mostly for my own use, or research, but some of it occassionaly might be useful to the wider world, which is why I release it publically. But there are a myriad of bugs and issues in the Phone OS which I like to address for my own use, eg why does it take so many clicks to start a new calendar entry? Why can't we add numbers to existing contacts? If it bothers me enough, I look into my own solutions, more as an academic exercise.
Phew, time for lunch
V

Guys, I've put the new version, v2.01 back on my site. Fixes the crash on long folder names and prevents loading multiple instances.
V
PS I don't use magic button. Not sure why that would be any special case. Please report bugs as usual, with BIG BOLD LETTERS. Not really :wink:

vijay555 said:
Fixes the crash on long folder names
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yay!
I hope you didn't just increase the buffer to 32... /me makes a folder name of 32+
vijay555 said:
prevents loading multiple instances.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also yay
Works fine now
vijay555 said:
PS I don't use magic button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly suspect that, as the issue with regards to the long folder names bit taking down Programs is gone, is no longer an issue

Guys,
I've posted a minor update to version v2.02 to fix a small bug where the vertical offset wasn't being taken into account correctly in fullscreen mode.
My audience of 1, ZeBoxx, might have noticed
V