Related
Re:Best software for WM5.0 to date...by far!!
Hi all. I cannot take credit for the best bit of software I have come across since purchasing my Jasjar. All credit most deservedly goes to sub69 for pointing me in the right direction. 8)
Read this thread to understand why:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=30412
Like most people on this forum, I joined xda-developers to solve my own problems whilst trying to help others solve theirs if I am able. I've been cursing left right and center for 3 weeks now about the performance of the Jasjar even though i still love the device. However one of my big complaints related to memory usage/leakage as I believed it affected the jasjars performance and through many trials and errors and lows, I almost sold it due to feeling I was not getting what I paid for. I felt that the jasjar was slow and underperformed.
I retract all former negative comments I made in relation to it being slow. Whilst looking for a simple application (with a small memory footprint) that would close all running apps without the rigmaroll of hunting down the 'settings' tab .I tried several different programs and all fell short in one way or another...till now (including Wisbar Advance 2.4.1..., Spb 3.0.1 and MagicButton (small footprint))!
Sub69 pointed me in the direction of GSPocketMagic and claimed it was the most stable program he had tried. Thought I'd give it a go too. Am I over the moon that I did.
This software does EXACTLY what it says it does.....well for me anyhow. :lol: Even better, it very much appears to have ironed out alot of my performance/speed issues with the jasjar! It has sped up browsing of the O/S and access to applications and gives me greater control of navigation in a simple manner. For me it has been Rock solid. I've only been testing it for about 5 hours+, but it hasn't slowed down once and has not dropped below 12MB of Program memory (I started with 27MB) & it maintains its speed whilst I upurposely ran 12 programs simulatneously (including video, music, photo slide show, word mobile, powerpoint, resco radio etc..)and then connected to wi-fi, surfed the net (faster I might add -not the loading of new web pages, but of cached ones) and posted on this forum. Almost Everything has improved by at least 30% or more (speed gain) and whilst I still get some jerking in high res 640x480 vid playback, it too seems more stable.
I don't understand how this has happened. All I had previously installed was TCPMP and Resco radio ! :?
Bearing in mind I had even overclocked my jasjar (no longer needed) with PocketHackMaster 2005, which, for me, did not yield results as favourable as this has.
The only logical conclusion I have been able to come up with is that GSPocketMagic has overridden some default settings/application that was somehow holding my Jasjar back! Overridden a bug in other words & this seems possible as it loads first after a soft reset, therefore taking precedence over anything else that may have usually performed some of its functions. Anyway that's just a theory.
For anyone like sub69 who have experienced relatively few problems with their universal, you might not notice any difference, but for anyone who is still suffering performance issues, I urge you to try this. You have nothing to loose & no of course I don't work for the company. I've just had to wait 3 weeks to start seeing the manifestation of the beast I believed the Jasjar was supposed to be. :lol:
Sorry about the long post people, but I've shared in alot of the misery many of you have been complaining about & at £700 it's about time we got some positive results.
thanks again to sub69. 8)
I can confirm that this programme is small and perfectly funcitonal for closing apps. If you're battling with PocketPlus for some reason, then this is definitely the way to go.
So do you have a URL where I can download it from?
Just have a look in the original thread he mentioned ;-) it´s
http://www.pocketpcfreewares.com/en/index.php?soft=1276
- SUperbowl
Joe you could have opened the topic that was suggested
http://www.pocketpcfreewares.com/en/index.php?soft=1276
good luck
Hi, is it possible to use it without replacing the current Today page and Start Menu?
Which CAB file do I install?
Yes, there's an option to set the 'click' to open the "Start Menu" (the default is "Menu") You could then set "Tap & Hold" to close all tasks or maybe to open the GSPM++ Menu.
I use "GSPMagic.xscaleE.cab" for the english version.
Here you go. A bitmap to use instead of he built in WM2002 windows flag.
CJSnet said:
Which CAB file do I install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GSPMagic.xscaleE.CAB for english on JJ
Sub69, nice start button, now the flawless look sets it off
sub69 said:
Here you go. A bitmap to use instead of he built in WM2002 wibdows flag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do I put this? The current program's bitmaps are all together in one file.
Are other people finding this program somehow magically overrides some settings or bugs?
Do I have to keep closing tasks to keep up good performance?
This is the only button you can change as far as I know. Put it anywhere, and on the Basic tab of the GSPM++ settings screem, choose Bitmap as the Image, and browse to the saved .bmp
I don't have to keep closing tasks, but mackaby may have a different opinion on this, as he was having more problems with the JasJar's performance in the first place?
CJSnet said:
sub69 said:
Here you go. A bitmap to use instead of he built in WM2002 wibdows flag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do I put this? The current program's bitmaps are all together in one file.
Are other people finding this program somehow magically overrides some settings or bugs?
Do I have to keep closing tasks to keep up good performance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put in anywhere you like, then go to the menu: start-option-setting. Change to Bitmap and point to your new start menu bitmap.
The less programs you keep in memory, the better the performance, so close your apps instead of building up in mem.
Ok Sub69, you where there just before me.......tnx for the nice bitmap!
WM 2005 was supposed to deal with this issue. But I find that the build in close button of WM 2005 does not close at all. Amazing MS didn't find a solution for this problem yet.
The great thing about GSPM is that it also closes the phone application, where Magic button cannot deal with this properly.
sub69 said:
I don't have to keep closing tasks, but mackaby may have a different opinion on this, as he was having more problems with the JasJar's performance in the first place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite true, that was the case for me, but no more. It doesn't really matter wether I close down applications or not, my speed is always up, unless I run videos at the same time in windows media player and TCPMC (that was accidental by the way).
Like I said, it's worked for me, and I had performance issues. If you don't have any, maybe you you won't see any improvement in performance, but it is still a very useful and stable application.
Oh, don't get me wrong it definitely speeds things up a bit for me too. It's only when you mentioned it that I really noticed though. I've been installing and uninstalling so many different things it's hard to keep track of what might be making a difference!!
Anyway, it's the best task manager I've used on my JasJar, and the performance boost is a welcome bonus!
Two Soft keys issue is back!
Small problem, some of us have noticed that the 2 soft keys keep dissapearing and reappearing after soft-resets. I thought I had this sussed last night, but I was wrong. It's my only issue with this software but not enough to put me off it.
mig31 suggested we might contact the developers of the software, as they would more than likely be able to fix this quicker than we could. I second that.
Gotta work at the mo, but unless someone else is willing to get in touch with the developers of GSPocketMagic, I'll get around to it in the week and post the outcome of our communications. Otherwise, all's well with this app. :wink:
I just wish I cud understand why (and if) it speeds up the device, even if u dont close apps. I'm a bit dubious if it's actually doing anything otherwise, without some benchmarks :S
if anyone finds gs++'s source code, please pm me.
V
I noticed that the 2 bottom soft keys disappear when you click "Close all". May be there is a way to add this in the "Exlude task Close" somehow
I got my EXEC a few days ago and went ahead with the corporate install - never been a fan of O2 Active.
The first thing I wanted to do was to install a decent task manager. So after reading good things about it - I went ahead with Magic Button.
However, what I have found is that after launching the phone dialer - it refuses to close and remains resident in program memory. Everything else closes fine and with no problems but the phone app just wont close unless you soft reset the device.
At first I thought it was a problem with Magic Button but I then tried GSPocketMagic+. Again, I launched the phone app and then tried to close it using the GSPocketMagic-> Close All option but that didnt work either.
So it appears that once launched, the phone app cannot be closed. Has anyone else noticed this on their EXEC/MDA Pro?
I don't use magic button but most of the closer apps exclude the phone app - do you really want to close that
If you really must close it, check this task killer out
This is from the Microsoft SDK, just modded very slightly by me to allow you to close errant apps, especially useful when I was developing VJBigPhone.
Be careful, it can close pretty much any app, including system stuff like GWES. But if that's one you want, that's what'll 'appen.
VJTrayTaskList
If you press the "Ok" button it'll sit in your Today Tray for ease of use.
Click the checkbox to allow you to close stubborn apps.
V
Thanks guys.
Yes, I really would find it useful to be able to close the phone app - program memory on the Universal is precious to say the least and the phone app uses about 1.1MB (according to MemMaid)
@vijay555
I will definitely try out your app when i get home (dont have my EXEC with me) as it seems a much quicker way to kill the process instead of having to open memmaid - although it is a pretty useful app in itself.
Just a question from a fellow would-be developer - what dev software do you use to build your apps? I am looking to get into doing some dev work my self and was thinking about using .NET.
However, seeing as none of your apps require the .NET framework to be installed, I'm guessing you use the standard MS SDK?
I didnt see the above app on your website... is it still in BETA?
mzaslam: I didn't write TrayTask list, it's provided as example code in the SDK. From memory I enabled its ability to close stubborn tasks, possibly did some GUI work and possibly changed the icon. Was some time ago now, can't remember!
I wouldn't say it's beta, although what Microsoft code isn't!? But I can't really take any credit for it, so I don't distribute it as mine. I just put VJ on it so can distinguish it from the non modded version on my PC. It works well though: I've noticed it does have one issue, that it won't load properly when your system is undergoing some problem, eg an application has hung etc. Then it won't populate the task list at all. But it's a good indicator it's time to soft reset then!
It's the best task killer I've seen, particularly for my kind of development where you need to kill hidden tasks.
Dev software: I'm going to be starting my info/blog site shortly, which will address just this kind of stuff. I've got very little experience programming for the PPC; so far I don't consider myself able to program, just throw stuff around
But I program with Visual Studio 2005. You can get hold of the beta free online, and if you need a copy of Beta 2 and are in the UK, I can probably send you a copy (I've only got 1!) But note, Beta 2 has issues with the WM5 emulator, which stalled a lot of my programming. But it's a nice enough environment.
You can get EVC 4 for free completely, so that's still a good choice, but VS2005 is perfectly competent.
However:
I had the pleasure of meeting this guy
{
"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"
}
from microsoft at a Modaco meeting in London a couple of month ago (the one where that guy stole the prize phone!)
Prior to this I had been fretting that the PPC was good, but not good enough for thumb friendly use. So I wanted to write a program or two. I considered EVB, but it's pretty useless for my low level stuff. I met David Goon, who was evangalising .net CF 2. I discussed with him about writing today plugins and he said that for that kinda work, C++ was still the best way to do it.
So, being a C++ virgin, and only about 20 years behind the times, I started learning c++ in september.
C++ is unforgiving, but very low level, and it makes increasing sense to me. I still only know about 0.5% of all there is to know about it, but it's doing what I want, most of the time. .net is beautiful to program with I guess, but right now, since I'm still awash with c++, I guess I'll start learning .net in about another 20 years! .net is great if you're not doing low level stuff, and I recommend it. For me, c++ is still like trying to create the universe to create the horse to create the ability to teach it to drink! It's a lot of work, but it gets there in the end!
V
PS I can hopefully make you guys an app to just close the phone if you want. Give me a mo...
Arrgh! Someone else obsessed with force-closing apps on Windows Mobile!
Let the OS do its job and handle memory management the way MS intended! I haven't force-closed any applications for a week. No resets or anything, and I have a list of running apps a mile long. (Just checked, and I have 26 apps open, including ListPro, TCPMP and this PIE window. I'm also running PocketZenPhone and VJBigPhone.) It works perfectly. If WM needs memory it will close apps for you in the background. Why worry about it?
Just my opinion.
Well, all I can say is wow. You certainly accomplished alot in a short space of time.
Ive been in the IT sector for a good number of years now but my expertise lies primarily with VB... yes yes I know!! I have in my time developed in Oracle and a number of other languages but most just didnt provide a true RAD environment.
So C++ (and its many variants) was not one of my languages of choice, not that I havent done some dev in my time. Its just not for me. C++ is very powerful but you have to put alot more in to get the best out of it.
Of course, the benefits of C++ are evident in its speed of execution but those advantages are no more (or so MS would suggest) with the release of .NET. All the .NET languages are more closely integrated and coded in the same IDE. OK so the syntax is different but they are all based on the same FCL and CLS ad nsame runtime environment
Anyway, thanks for the app and if you do get a chance to knock up a 'simple' app that kills just the phone app then that would be great.
Cheers.
SiliconS said:
Arrgh! Someone else obsessed with force-closing apps on Windows Mobile!
Let the OS do its job and handle memory management the way MS intended! I haven't force-closed any applications for a week. No resets or anything, and I have a list of running apps a mile long. (Just checked, and I have 26 apps open, including ListPro, TCPMP and this PIE window. I'm also running PocketZenPhone and VJBigPhone.) It works perfectly. If WM needs memory it will close apps for you in the background. Why worry about it?
Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the phone app is possibly the exception to this rule... I could of course be wrong. With program memory being as limited as it is, I dont think there is any reason not to want to give the OS a helping hand in its memory mamangement.
Lets face it, if HTC (and I suppose MS) had gone about designing the HTC and WM5 the way most of us wanted then we (as in all EXEC/MDA Pro/JJ) users wouldnt have to spend the insane amount of time on this forum trying to fix the so-called "features" of our beloved PPC.
Dont get me wrong, I love my EXEC but with a bit more thought it could have been soo much better.
I'm sure before long we will see the PPC headed the same way as the desktop OS i.e. Service Packs, Security Patches etc. which isnt a bad thing really.
Sorry if I've gone on a bit...
SiliconS said:
Arrgh! Someone else obsessed with force-closing apps on Windows Mobile!
I'm also running PocketZenPhone and VJBigPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is PocketZenPhone on your EXEC? I read from other threads that they are having problems with it. Is it true? What is its main function?
mzaslam: Thanks for your comments!
Check out vjtaskkiller here. This is a generic task killer.
I'll try to write a phone toggle a little later, to quit or launch the phone approriately.
Re Programming: I'm happy with C++ for now. I'll learn .net at some point, but I think the hardware needs to catch up and have better integration of CF. Then we'll have no reason not to use it. But right now, I want to keep my overheads as low as possible, (what with SiliconS using VJBigphone in the background!)
SiliconS is exactly right, WM hibernation is supposed to take care of all memory management. However, I think especially as seen on the wizard, it's beneficial sometimes to give it a hand! Also, although for MS certification programs should be coded to be responsive to hibernation requests, not all are, particularly non certified code... so again, could be beneficial.
I have to say, WM5 is slightly laggy generally, so it's nice to keep it perky. But I would suggest most users don't need to use a taskkiller. However, I use smallmenu and never keep more than a couple of apps open, but then again, I've never had memory problems with or without intervention...
However, for development, certainly beneficial.
SiliconS: is VJBigPhone working ok?
V
Guys, new release
VJPhoneToggle
Just for you mzaslam!
V
cktlcmd said:
How is PocketZenPhone on your EXEC? I read from other threads that they are having problems with it. Is it true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno. Seems to work perfectly for me, but I'm not convinced that the Outlook-based profile switches are working 100%. I haven't properly tested it though because it doesn't cause a problem.
cktlcmd said:
What is its main function?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://zendrui.free.fr/
vijay555 said:
SiliconS: is VJBigPhone working ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, seems to be. It's v0.8 so I haven't tried your latest yet, but I will when I get chance. The phone's working fine for me and is always scaled correctly.
OT: How long before v1.0 do you reckon? I must admit I miss having the Wireless Manager not fixed too, and IIRC you were going to try and work on that again? It's about time I bought you that (non-alcoholic) drink!
SiliconS said:
cktlcmd said:
How is PocketZenPhone on your EXEC? I read from other threads that they are having problems with it. Is it true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno. Seems to work perfectly for me, but I'm not convinced that the Outlook-based profile switches are working 100%. I haven't properly tested it though because it doesn't cause a problem.
cktlcmd said:
What is its main function?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://zendrui.free.fr/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks SiliconS!
mzaslam said:
SiliconS said:
Arrgh! Someone else obsessed with force-closing apps on Windows Mobile!
Let the OS do its job and handle memory management the way MS intended! I haven't force-closed any applications for a week. No resets or anything, and I have a list of running apps a mile long. (Just checked, and I have 26 apps open, including ListPro, TCPMP and this PIE window. I'm also running PocketZenPhone and VJBigPhone.) It works perfectly. If WM needs memory it will close apps for you in the background. Why worry about it?
Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the phone app is possibly the exception to this rule... I could of course be wrong. With program memory being as limited as it is, I dont think there is any reason not to want to give the OS a helping hand in its memory mamangement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you didn't take my comments the wrong way. Re-reading them again this morning they could be taken as offensive, and that wasn't my intention, hence the .
Well, I dunno. People complain a lot in this forum that it takes ages for the Exec to ring when someone calls them, and people keep missing calls, so anything that delays the phone app (e.g. closing it down manually) would IMHO be a V.Bad Thing. I've never had a problem just letting the OS handle it. When I was looking at my task list last night, though, (with 26 tasks running) I had 14MB program memory free, so I'm a long way from running out.
Leaving applications open makes the Universal more responsive and perky, since I don't have to wait for the OS to initialise them every time I want them.
Anyway, your phone, your choice of course. I'm just offering an alternative viewpoint since the desire to close apps seems to be just a peace-of-mind thing for the enthusiasts on this forum rather than being driven by any tangible need.
vijay555 said:
Guys, new release
VJPhoneToggle
Just for you mzaslam!
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW that was fast!! I woke up this morning and this is the last thing I expected
I really do feel honoured 8) Best not let it go to my head though!! You also wrote a general cmd line Task Killer, even better I reckon. How long did it take you to knock those up then?
Today is my last day at work, I'm on leave for 3 weeks so will have plenty of time to check out all your smart apps and of course play with my little black beauty
SiliconS said:
Glad you didn't take my comments the wrong way. Re-reading them again this morning they could be taken as offensive, and that wasn't my intention, hence the .
Well, I dunno. People complain a lot in this forum that it takes ages for the Exec to ring when someone calls them, and people keep missing calls, so anything that delays the phone app (e.g. closing it down manually) would IMHO be a V.Bad Thing. I've never had a problem just letting the OS handle it. When I was looking at my task list last night, though, (with 26 tasks running) I had 14MB program memory free, so I'm a long way from running out.
Leaving applications open makes the Universal more responsive and perky, since I don't have to wait for the OS to initialise them every time I want them.
Anyway, your phone, your choice of course. I'm just offering an alternative viewpoint since the desire to close apps seems to be just a peace-of-mind thing for the enthusiasts on this forum rather than being driven by any tangible need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries
I didnt take offence and you made a perfectly legitimate case for leaving the phone app running in the background. I think I will see how long it takes for the phone to respond with the phone app running and without.
It is still VERY useful (using vijay555's apps) to be able to kill tasks as and when you need - because there will come a time when you run low on prog memory. I think especially if you run something like TTN or CP!!
I am surprised that you have 26 apps running comfortably on your EXEC with no performance degradation. Are you sure you havent been slipped a limited edition EXEC with more memory than the rest of us poor souls
Just my humble observations, but when I first got my Exec I kept wanting to force close the Phone app, but every time I did it would refuse to reload. A soft reset resulted in the splash screen saying no GSM, so I had to wait for it to reboot, use the phone and then soft reset again to get it working properly. Anyone else found this?
Great tool by the way!
Fin
Hey, thanks for all your comments guys. Hope it was useful! Visit my site often for more releases (although not today, or at least so far!)
mzaslam: how long did it take? Um, basic code is used in VJBigPhone to find and modify the phone. Then writing the close code was relatively straightforward. However, debugging, testing and preparing the icon, screenshots, cabs, uploading and preparing webpage all took an hour or two. Got a good telling off from my better half for it! I really need to sleep more...
Findus: I've never had that problem, sorry!
SiliconS: VJBigPhone. I'm quite prepared to step to v1.0 if I can, if there are no issues. No one's mentioned anything bad I think, so I think the core code is safe to stick with. I'm intending to add a phone close option on the tray icon (just in case anyone wants it!) and hopefully one other minor but useful function. Beyond there, hopefully that's v1.0. If I can, I will try to enlarge the caller's photo as requested elsewhere, and if so I will incorporate it as a menu option. (that might be >v1.0)
Finally, I intend to re-address the wireless manager fix, and if it works, I'll reincorporate it as an option on the menu, and also perhaps as a standalone for those who don't need VJBigPhone! Sound ok? Any other ideas for incorporating in? :wink:
How are you guys finding this tool? There's one or two tricks you can pull off with VJTaskKiller, but I shouldn't let you in on how because you could cause some difficulties :wink:
V
Hi all,
I currently own a SPV C500 which is coming to the end of it's life due to the fact the my contract ends v.soon.
Basically how does the Exec fair compared to the SPV, i know it's ALOT more powerful but is it as stable.
After reading alot of threads on here i noticed there seems to be quite a negative vibe around this phone, due to it's unstablity. Is it really that bad? and when i get it (some time next week) will i have to upgrade anything or will it be fine out the box?
edit> oh and can the O2 users get a pdf file reader on it, as i have read somewhere it doesn't have it while the M5000 does :?
thanks all! regards,
The exec compared to the c500, well you will love or hate it
What can I say,
1-Size is big and bulky in contast.
2-Screen is gorgeous
3-Takes a while for screen to flip or rotate.
4-I have had no real dramas with mine
5- If youw nat the pfr reader I can send you that.
6-o2 users get a task manager
7-battery life is nota sgood as your smartphone
8-Takes better pictures
9-Faster
10-Great keyboard
11-How much will you use it?
What are your uses?
I use mine as a basic phone, pim and email device and mp3 pakyer does job great out of the box. I did buy a belt case though.
Re: The exec compared to the c500, well you will love or hat
apple_power said:
What can I say,
11-How much will you use it?
What are your uses?
I use mine as a basic phone, pim and email device and mp3 pakyer does job great out of the box. I did buy a belt case though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how much will i use it? roughly 4 hours a day, inc phone calls, music etc.
What uses? Phone (obvioulsy) MP3 player (inc videos) check mail sometimes, recording my lectures for that week (using calendar) plus meetings, use tasks for various stuff. Use word and Excel. Camera when I'm out, games! (I'm still 20 lol)
I'm sure other things which i will find out when i get it.
Must say that I love mine, just be careful what you install (some apps not good for WM5.0 and slow it down). I have had no dramas with mine either although some people have so its not been a universally (scuse pun) good experience for all.
You should also get a BT headset for phone use and install MS voice command + the registry hacks that make it useable from the headset with MSVC.
Beyond that, very nice, very tasteful, love all that............
There's a bit of a negative vibe from certain disgruntled users who've been having problems (caused by 3rd-party software?) but there's a thread in this forum in which people are giving their Universal marks out of ten. The vast majority give it 8/10 or better.
It's a great machine but you have to treat it with care when choosing 3rd-party software to install. Not all developers have released truly compatible versions yet, despite what some of them are claiming...
SiliconS said:
T..
It's a great machine but you have to treat it with care when choosing 3rd-party software to install. Not all developers have released truly compatible versions yet, despite what some of them are claiming...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry friend, not really true. There are people who have found call problems, BT reception problems, missed calls and some M$ does not always work on the Universal. My experience is that the more features you use the more difficulties you find. I don't regard the problems I have had with the "suspend" feature a problem with third-party s/w.
jah said:
SiliconS said:
T..
It's a great machine but you have to treat it with care when choosing 3rd-party software to install. Not all developers have released truly compatible versions yet, despite what some of them are claiming...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry friend, not really true. There are people who have found call problems, BT reception problems, missed calls and some M$ does not always work on the Universal. My experience is that the more features you use the more difficulties you find. I don't regard the problems I have had with the "suspend" feature a problem with third-party s/w.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll say it again...
SiliconS said:
There's a bit of a negative vibe from certain disgruntled users who've been having problems (caused by 3rd-party software?) but there's a thread in this forum in which people are giving their Universal marks out of ten. The vast majority give it 8/10 or better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still seems to me that many people have problems because of the software they've installed on their machines. The out-of-the-box Exec is a great, stable machine once the O2 Active stuff is removed. Incompatible 3rd-party software slows the whole machine down, leading to missed calls, slow answering, slow orientation changes, unreliable alarms etc etc. I had these same problems too, at the beginning after I'd installed the trial versions of all the 3rd-party software I wanted. So I removed all the third-party software again (PocketBreeze, PocketPlus, PocketWeather, PocketInformant etc.) and now my Exec is fantastic. I can't remember the last time I did a soft reset and I NEVER force-close any applications. It just works.
I obviously don't know your situation, jah, or which software you're running on your various Universals, but the fact that most people rate their Universal 8/10 or better says more to me than the loudly-shouted problems of unlucky people who have machines like yours.
I would personally say go for it. I initially thought mine was huge, but once you start to use it you soon forget the size. I have had no issues except for my sheer stupidity. I was born with that so used to that now
No honestly from what ytou say, you can quite well get away using the exec as it is out of the box. My brother uses the 02 stuff with his and has not noted ant slow down, mine is now a generic version. I love the screen so hard to go back and use my wizard after using my exec.
SiliconS,
if I use "suspend" I miss calls and I have not changed my third-party app installation. And you need third-party apps especially as the PIM in WM5 is very poor. MS Reader - a M$ WM5 app does not work properly with the SD card stored eBooks if you use "suspend". I am not shouting about problems I am being realistic ( I have used Palm OS and Symbian and I also report my issues with those devices). People report problems and in many cases they have removed third-party apps to eliminate the source of problems. Many users have their Execs freeze when SMS arrives (and these users have no third-party apps running) and I my Exec freeze when downloading emails over GPRS/UMTS (as my JJ did). What I have noticed, even though it seems odd, is that my Exec is less stable after I installed the latest ROM from the O2 site. The ROM that came with my Exec seemed more stable.
Few more question ppl (thanks for the previous replies)
Well i finally bought it yesterday! chuffed to bits....(so far)
few niggles though:
1) How do you set profiles? and does it have an "automatic"profile, which changes from "normal" to "discreet" when a meeting is taking place on your calendar?
2) On the "home" screen can you change the font colour from white to black or any other colour?
3) How do you change your bluetooth name?
4) How do check the "call history" when the O2 install type is on "basic"
5) To which folder do you place mp3s or WAVs so that they can be played back as notifications?
6) How do you change skins on WMP? I've downloaded the skins, but which folder do you put it in to enable it?
cheers,
bump... can anyone help? ^^
thanks
jah said:
SiliconS,
What I have noticed, even though it seems odd, is that my Exec is less stable after I installed the latest ROM from the O2 site. The ROM that came with my Exec seemed more stable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm puzzled by this statement - the ROM on the O2 site is the original ROM that all units are shipped with. There is no update yet, although they're working on one.
budo*85 said:
1) How do you set profiles? and does it have an "automatic"profile, which changes from "normal" to "discreet" when a meeting is taking place on your calendar?
2) On the "home" screen can you change the font colour from white to black or any other colour?
3) How do you change your bluetooth name?
4) How do check the "call history" when the O2 install type is on "basic"
5) To which folder do you place mp3s or WAVs so that they can be played back as notifications?
6) How do you change skins on WMP? I've downloaded the skins, but which folder do you put it in to enable it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I know:
1. There is a program PocketZenPhone with this functionality - search the forums. There are also some other sollutions but I don't remember the names
2. You can change the "Theme" of today screen and whole machine, including font colour. Search for Today Themes on the forum
3. This is connected to DeviceID name that you can set in About applet in Settings/System.
4. Can't help you here - don't have O2 branded machine, but in general you have a Call History Button on main Phone Application screen
5. I haven't tried on WM5 machine, but on WM2003 machines you coud not use MP3 by default (there is a hack though). Anyhow you put the files in the Windows\Rings folder.
6. Sorry never did this - but if you do a google search I'm sure there are some instructions out there
Hi guys, I'm really glad i found this place, i just hope i can learn enough to help contirbute down the road as well! But for now....
so, i went to the wiki list of hacks and apps, and i decided to try downloading the phone pad program, just to try.
There's not much literature there to help you out, so i just downloaded it to my lappy, and unzipped.
THe setup file is an XML doc, and i don't know what i'm supposed to do with that to get it on my phone....
Thanks for lending a noob a hand!!
Dillsnik said:
Hi guys, I'm really glad i found this place, i just hope i can learn enough to help contirbute down the road as well! But for now....
so, i went to the wiki list of hacks and apps, and i decided to try downloading the phone pad program, just to try.
There's not much literature there to help you out, so i just downloaded it to my lappy, and unzipped.
THe setup file is an XML doc, and i don't know what i'm supposed to do with that to get it on my phone....
Thanks for lending a noob a hand!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the file was a CAB file then do not extract on PC just transfer the CAB file to the device and double tap it to run it.
Mike
Thank you, i got it on the phone and opened it....
now i just don't know where to get it or how to use it.
BTW, the program i was installing is the phone pad that is posted in the Wiki thread.
No info on it there...
Dillsnik said:
Thank you, i got it on the phone and opened it....
now i just don't know where to get it or how to use it.
BTW, the program i was installing is the phone pad that is posted in the Wiki thread.
No info on it there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
This particular application installs an additional way for you to input text and numbers on large touchscreen keys (bigger than the ones on normal touchscreen keyboard)
So for example if you are texting somebody and you touch the little keyboard symbol at bottom of screen you will see a little arrow beside the keyboard symbol. (i.e. don't open the keyboard by tapping it - tap the arrow beside it) A list will pop up allowing you to select different ways to input your text, anything from handwriting to your newly installed Phone Pad!!
This option for the keyboard is now available for all programmes where you would use the on screen keyboard. Keys large enough to save you the bother of using stylus and just use fingers.
Any problems ask here or send PM/e-mail details below
Mike
THanks very much mike, i found it!
Still a little tricky to get used to...It's funny, with all that my new PPC can do, i am finding i miss some of the simplicity of my old flip phone for things like just calling and texting. Maybe ei need more getting used to it still
That phone pad is a little different than i'm use to for texting....its a little tricky figuring out how to just select the word you want...or for ex, if you hit 1 and you want an !, do you select it at the list at top or is there a button that scrolls through the choices? those buttons on the left are a little tight up against the side to hit cleanly it seems, although no real misses yet.
Dillsnik said:
THanks very much mike, i found it!
Still a little tricky to get used to...It's funny, with all that my new PPC can do, i am finding i miss some of the simplicity of my old flip phone for things like just calling and texting. Maybe ei need more getting used to it still
That phone pad is a little different than i'm use to for texting....its a little tricky figuring out how to just select the word you want...or for ex, if you hit 1 and you want an !, do you select it at the list at top or is there a button that scrolls through the choices? those buttons on the left are a little tight up against the side to hit cleanly it seems, although no real misses yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being honest I agree WM devices aren't the easiest of phones and there is a bit of a compromise between getting all the other fancy stuff and the phone part of the device. You will get more used to it as you say. To be honest I'm never in so much of a rush to call someone that I don't have time to use the stylus on the full touchscreen keyboard. And just think there are all those thousands of freeware application downloads for WM5 out there - just waiting for you to try!! Mind you a lot of garbage as well.
One follow on thought just for info:
CAB files as you now know you install fromm the device
EXE files for WM5 you run on PC whilst connected via Active Sync and they'll install automatically.
If I have a choice I go for the CAB file as I store it on the SD card rather than cluttering up my PC. Also If I need to hard reset all my cabs will be sitting their waiting for a quick tap and their programmes are back on again. Although I do use Mobsync which is an addon for Active Sync that allows me to back up my SD card to my PC and anything I drop into the PC Backup gets put onto my PC card when I do a Sync.
Mike
Mike
Great tips mike....
You are right, i am excited to make the most of my new wonder with all the free (and not free!) ware out there. That is what i think it's probably all about, cause i feel like out of the box it leaves a lot left to be desired.
I need to get myself an sd card quickly for that! Only problem is, i'm sure i'll want/need a 2GB card. A 1GB card is like 20-30, a 2 gb is closer to $90!! i bought this in a large part for nav software and the map data should take up a lot of space on a card. I guess i could get a 1gb for now or even have two, but swapping will suck i'm sure. What do you have for yours?
I have just 1gb, but despite having maybe 20-30 apps loaded and a copy of their cab files, a few photos and usual odds and ends it's only one third full. (Mind you, I put on lots but end up removing almost as many so application numbers only grow slowly) WM apps are really quite small. But certainly nav software and and maps will take a considerable amount. Spotted a package the other day bundling a TyTn + Blue tooth GPS receiver and Tom Tom software all for a price £50UK less than I paid for the Device alone and no SDcard.
Makes yer sick dunnit!
PS In early days I loaded all apps onto device memory and a surprising number it took. BUT it began to seriously slow down device even with quite a bit of memory to spare. Now I load everything to Storage Card with the important exception of those things the device needs to start up. e.g. Phone skins and any programs that run on today screen. It is essential to load these things to device memory as folks have found the phone alarms may not ring or device will freeze when calls come in if something it needs to start is buried on SDcard. The main ring tone as well - although it will work from SD card may cause a ring delay if on SD card leaving as few as two rings for you to hear before voicemail comes on. Live and Learn!!
This forum contains a wealth of info - more than I will ever need. Getting to be too many multiple threads on same issue though which gets confusing as some appear to find no solution to a problem and yet another may have just the answer needed.
Mike
EDIT: By the way if you like paying for apps.!! I think Wisbar Advance and Wisbar Advance Desktop are great. BUT learning curve is quite steep and a bit of an on-going project but allows multiple desktops to hold all those today themes and gadgets that just won't fit on one today screen.
that's some good stuff to know, and it's nice of you to explain all that too me. really helps clear some things up so i'm not asking as many q's later or just generally in the dark.
i've heard of others speak of WA before. in your opinion, what are the biggest must have programs and also some of the best values out there? i'm willing to pay for a good program but I like a free one as much as the next guy!
FYI...I work in sales and managing accounts in different areas will be key for me. so if u know anything that lends well for that I'd be interested.
thanks,
dan
Dillsnik said:
that's some good stuff to know, and it's nice of you to explain all that too me. really helps clear some things up so i'm not asking as many q's later or just generally in the dark.
i've heard of others speak of WA before. in your opinion, what are the biggest must have programs and also some of the best values out there? i'm willing to pay for a good program but I like a free one as much as the next guy!
FYI...I work in sales and managing accounts in different areas will be key for me. so if u know anything that lends well for that I'd be interested.
thanks,
dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dan
Here's a link to just some of the apps. I have on mine:
Look for the post by TCO who did a great job of finding all the links to the applications.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=283085
Here's a few mostly freeware application sites. Lots of rubbish in these but some maybe worth it. For anything specific for example if I wanted Excel on my device I'd just do a google search on: excel wm5. Freeware sites are everywhere but have your popup blocker on, some are good others are terrible. A google search on freeware WM5 will throw up lots of these. Also there can be the odd Java application that's good so may be worth a try.
I'm no expert in your work areas so guess you'll need to track down the good work related ones yourself though your kind of work would seem ideally suited to the typical tracking and accounting sorts of application. Some sites are nicely categorized.
http://www.pdagold.com/software/list.asp?p=1
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/tags.php?tag=clocks&order=date&page=2
http://www.getjar.com/software/universal/all/Applications/Email/set2
Mike
10/16/08--
It is 12:00 central time (17:00 GMT I think) and I will close voting at 5:00pm Central Time (22:00 GMT) today. So that leaves you just 5 Hours to make your vote. I will try and post the winner up here later tonight, or you can check yourself at www.gudensoft.com.
Thanks!!
10/14/08--
First, thanks for all the great ideas. I would love to develop all of these if I could, but we have to decide on just one of the programs! So, Since I couldn't add a poll to this thread, I added it to HERE.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
I bet I know which will win, but who knows? The poll will end Thursday or Friday (depending on if it is a close race or not).
Thanks
Gudy
10/10/08--
Hey guys,
I want to know what cool program, functionality, or software you would like to see created. I am a .net programmer (among others) and would like some ideas of projects you would like to see. I would like to stay away from a graphic intense program and involved games, so think functionality, usefulness, fun, etc. If I get some good ideas, I will then add a poll, vote on the best one, then build it. I will release it under my donationware license which means it will be free. Right now I am finishing up my Golf Gps program (and will continue to support), but will start this project once we get it deceided. So Shoot me your ideas!
Gudy
cool a programmer who need ideas
I have proposed something here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=434925
though it would maybe not appear as a grateful program for a developper ( a toolkit for other programs), it could be a good way to have a large diffusion through many config panels in different programs
it was just an idea
Wishlist
Hi,
Maybe simple for .NET, but for me impossible to do (without performance/battery penaulty) with basic4ppc or mortscript. And thats all I can handle.
What I would like to have is a program that enables me to execute programs when specific events occur. I'd like to know when AC power gets connected/disconnected, when there is a change in screen orientation, and when a headset gets connected/disconnected and so on. Maybe even when an internet connection through WIFI is available/unavailable.
Also I'd like to know is a specific BT device is connectable/conneted. I'd like to know if a specific WIFI network is connectable/connected. I'd like to know if I'm at a specific location. All event driven, without a performance consuming programing loop or battery drain.
Yeah, all or even some of those options would make my digital mobile life so much easier
Good luck huntig for input, if you ever get bored contact me and make me happy
Cheers,
Cacti
le_cactus said:
Hi,
Maybe simple for .NET, but for me impossible to do (without performance/battery penaulty) with basic4ppc or mortscript. And thats all I can handle.
What I would like to have is a program that enables me to execute programs when specific events occur. I'd like to know when AC power gets connected/disconnected, when there is a change in screen orientation, and when a headset gets connected/disconnected and so on. Maybe even when an internet connection through WIFI is available/unavailable.
Also I'd like to know is a specific BT device is connectable/conneted. I'd like to know if a specific WIFI network is connectable/connected. I'd like to know if I'm at a specific location. All event driven, without a performance consuming programing loop or battery drain.
Yeah, all or even some of those options would make my digital mobile life so much easier
Good luck huntig for input, if you ever get bored contact me and make me happy
Cheers,
Cacti
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doable, handy, not a massive undertaking, I like it! Not sure I would go the .net route on something like this, as really a GUI is not required (except for settings maybe) and the overhead is large with .net. Certainly will add it to the list. Keep them coming!!
t0k0m0k0 said:
cool a programmer who need ideas
I have proposed something here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=434925
though it would maybe not appear as a grateful program for a developper ( a toolkit for other programs), it could be a good way to have a large diffusion through many config panels in different programs
it was just an idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be pretty difficult unless all of developers used the same programming langauge/technique. The only real feasable way I see this working would be developers using a common set of graphics. That would be more of a graphic undertaking instead of programming. I do like the idea, but pretty hard to impliment.
Thanks
Gudy
I would love to see something like Launchy for launching apps and files etc. as well as quick search of various types online. I'm guessing the on the fly search would require too much processing power, but if it's doable it would be awesome.
http://www.launchy.net/
I'm interested in new ideas too. I also use B4PPC.
Here's a few ideas:
-A tamagotchi, really. I was about to try this out tonight but Paint hates me.
-An app launcher like PetitLaunch on PalmOS. It's something that can pop from any app (hardware button) and when you type in extra letters it filters which apps are shown. I got this started and I can give you the files if you want.
-Pursue the development for Tippy. The source is on Nicbou.com/downloads if you want it.
-A time clock. A friend of mine notes down how long he works to make sure he doesn't get screwed and it takes him several minutes every week. He doesn't have a Pocket PC but maybe someone would be interested in something that tracks the hours you work and calculate the salary. I almost did this too.
And don't forget to share the source! If you need any help with B4PPC I'm here
galt said:
I would love to see something like Launchy for launching apps and files etc. as well as quick search of various types online. I'm guessing the on the fly search would require too much processing power, but if it's doable it would be awesome.
http://www.launchy.net/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds simular to the app launcher listed in the next post, seems like there is a theme going on here, you all need some sort of good app launcher.
Gudy
I'd like the Launchy features for search-on-the-fly off on board apps and file launching, but ever more for different site searches (google, maps, wikipedia, live, youtube, Amazon, etc).
N1c0_ds said:
I'm interested in new ideas too. I also use B4PPC.
Here's a few ideas:
-A tamagotchi, really. I was about to try this out tonight but Paint hates me.
-An app launcher like PetitLaunch on PalmOS. It's something that can pop from any app (hardware button) and when you type in extra letters it filters which apps are shown. I got this started and I can give you the files if you want.
-Pursue the development for Tippy. The source is on Nicbou.com/downloads if you want it.
-A time clock. A friend of mine notes down how long he works to make sure he doesn't get screwed and it takes him several minutes every week. He doesn't have a Pocket PC but maybe someone would be interested in something that tracks the hours you work and calculate the salary. I almost did this too.
And don't forget to share the source! If you need any help with B4PPC I'm here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to look up tamagotchi, either I am too old, or just out of the loop to know that 10 million of these things were sold! Wow! That could be fun, but would take a pretty fancy AI type system to really be fun.
A form of Tippy is already out there, 1-calc has some of the features built in already.
A time clock could be cool, maybe a stop watch type thing perhaps?
Never used B4PPC, I mainly use C# and Visual Studio. It looks like the old Visual Basic for desktops. And last but not least, depending on the project, I more than likely will release the source.
Thanks!!! Keep'em comin!
Gudy
File Explorer Needs Help
Has anyone wanted to see a preview image in explorer's folder??
I'm not talking about fexplorerext2. although it is a fantastic enhancement; it takes a long time to load the preview immages.
I have a better idea (well, actualy MS thought of it first)
THUMBS.DB
for every folder that has an image file, this dll is created to replace cache of images. this way ou do not have to load it everytime and scale them down for thumbnail view. it is already there specificaly for each folder.
This alows the explorer to show a preview of the first image in the folder (or last created/accessed)
This is whatt I think WinMo is lacking - windows. lol.
I do not care much for the tabbed browsing. it hurts my head. too much scroling and not enough info. Icons work better I think, and waste less space on an already small screen.
well, that's been on my wishlist for a very long time. a dll that ataches to the already existing explorer making it work better.
Thanks for workin g on something new
program that makes led lights flash when phone rings would be nice
Interesting...I will have to think about how to tackle that. It would basically take a new file explorer (like total commander). This might be a bit larger than I want to tackle, but will research it a bit before ruling it out.
GUdy
bedaweed said:
program that makes led lights flash when phone rings would be nice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be very difficult as not every device handles the leds the same. Also, not every device has the same leds (color, # of, etc). I think No2Chem has a int. driver, but think it is only for the titan. Would be cool though...
Gudy
a system-wide launcher dock program like that on the velocity 103 PPC..
here's the URL for the review and video of the app (and the phone)
-------------------------------------------------------------
a new top bar replacemeent/notification system much like the "android Notification Drawer" it can replace the bubble (multiple) notifications icon when you got multiple and simultaneous notifications.. and also make it finger friendly (unlike M2D, no need to go back to homescreen to check email/sms previes and also calendar events, calls, etc.. also unlike big taskbar - from the touch phones, this'll have previews)
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qbPa1O8Ys&eur (at the 2 minute mark) , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-YcGNyJds
mjg7876 said:
Interesting...I will have to think about how to tackle that. It would basically take a new file explorer (like total commander). This might be a bit larger than I want to tackle, but will research it a bit before ruling it out.
GUdy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fexplorer2 is basically a dll that works with the original file explorer context menu. there is a small exe that overwrites the original explorer to make it think that the explorer"s context menu has already been opened.
in a way it maybe possible to write a new dll and two exe
EXE 1 to replace the file explorer
EXE 2 to make thumbs db
DLL (conte4xt menu that alows to view as thumbnails/list etc ; as well as launching the second exe to make a thumbsdb)
maybe you can get some help from Hou Ming, the guy that made that program before.
it would be cool if you could get some of the old emus like pocket gba and pocket snes with window 6.1 I know i would be happy.
le_cactus said:
... when AC power gets connected/disconnected, when there is a change in screen orientation, and when a headset gets connected/disconnected and ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been looking for a program that would stop the music (S2P, Audio Manager, or WMP etc...) if during playback of the music the headset is removed. Or for instance, when the device is on vibrate and you connect headset, it automatically changes profile to normal or something.
Another one is when I dock my device (or connect AC basically), I'd like clock program (or home screen, or photo slideshow, etc...) to come up automatically.
A feature that I miss from my older phones is the ability to set them to beep every minute during a phone call.
Now these are very general and not specific features. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me!
Thank you,
SiNAra
ytsejam_ said:
a system-wide launcher dock program like that on the velocity 103 PPC..
here's the URL for the review and video of the app (and the phone)
-------------------------------------------------------------
a new top bar replacemeent/notification system much like the "android Notification Drawer" it can replace the bubble (multiple) notifications icon when you got multiple and simultaneous notifications.. and also make it finger friendly (unlike M2D, no need to go back to homescreen to check email/sms previes and also calendar events, calls, etc.. also unlike big taskbar - from the touch phones, this'll have previews)
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qbPa1O8Ys&eur (at the 2 minute mark) , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-YcGNyJds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The launcher on the 103 looks a lot like manilla, I know it is diff, but to me it seems mainly by presentation, not functionality. I do however like the notification top bar like that on android. Not sure how difficult taking over the top bar would be. I will do some digging.
S.V.I said:
Fexplorer2 is basically a dll that works with the original file explorer context menu. there is a small exe that overwrites the original explorer to make it think that the explorer"s context menu has already been opened.
in a way it maybe possible to write a new dll and two exe
EXE 1 to replace the file explorer
EXE 2 to make thumbs db
DLL (conte4xt menu that alows to view as thumbnails/list etc ; as well as launching the second exe to make a thumbsdb)
maybe you can get some help from Hou Ming, the guy that made that program before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me a link to this? The only thing I could find (quickly) was sketchy at best. Still seems a bit much, but would like to know more about this Fexplorer2 thing before nuking the idea.
Gudy