yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Sorry but the number can't be invisible only in case of no incoming items :(

About making it always invisible, I think it should be possible (have to try it), I made them this way 'cause I've been asked to ;)

Will see what I can do 'bout it for the next release (just released 2.09 a few seconds ago) :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Released Version 2.09 :)

ChangeLog, detailed info and download links in the first post ;)

Enjoy! :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Released Version 2.10 :)

ChangeLog, detailed info and download links in the first post ;)

Enjoy! :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] rubadub234:
love your work, thanks - maybe Christmas clock should be a countdown clock :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
That would be nice indeed :) but unfortunately the digital clock class of mobile shell does not provide a countdown function :(

It's not exactly the same, but you could:

- create a new contact

- name it "Christmas"

- assign to it a picture of Santa Claus, or any one you would like

- set its birthday to 25/12

Now, using the birthday widget you will have a sort of countdown to Christmas :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] DeeDeeKay79:
I got the "problem", that I´m using the imarche skins with SPB MS 3.5.1! I followed the instructions, but it doesn´t work. Do I have to change the qa_layout.dat-File in the MobileShellSkins Folder too?
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
I don't know for sure how imarche skins work, but reading what you wrote it looks like it could change the qa_layouts with its own when you apply something, so what you are guessing could really be the right solution.

Try adding my xml to that one too and see if it gets any better.

I guess shellExtension won't be able to add my file to that qa_layouts 'cause it's not "in thre right place", so you will have to do it manually with winzip, therefore here are a couple of advices:

- use winzip and not winrar, they should be compatible but it seems that winrar can mess it all up

- be sure your pc is set to NOT hide file extensions for known file types, otherwise you will not be able to rename the files in the right way and it won't work.

Good luck, and keep me updated ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] rubadub234:
Brilliant!! - I used the anniversary only option to keep it separate from my Dec birthdays

Great tip - thanks again
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
You're welcome :) and the anniversary only option is a brilliant idea too :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] DeeDeeKay79:
Yes!!! It works. I also changed the qa_layout.dat in the MobileShellSkins- folder and softreseted m Omnia!!!! And now it works with imarche-pack too!!!!!!:D
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Great! :)

I'll add a couple lines about this to my installation instructions in the next release ;)

Grats! :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Released Version 2.11 :)

ChangeLog, detailed info and download links in the first post ;)

Enjoy! :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] kmsrao:
You have such a great creativity. Thanks

I would like to suggest the following if, possible :

- A Heart shaped Link and/or Picture Frame

- Round shaped Links
[Windows Mobile Themes] Zealot87:
Hi again :D.

I don't know why,but I can't install spb Shellextension.I should have some troble with frameworks.

So, I have to put qa layouts file manually.

As you told me i change control panel option, and now renaming the file windows also xhanges the extension.

But it still does not work.

Here's the point: if I post here my layout file, can someone post it back in the right version?
[Windows Mobile Themes] lamborg:
I did as mentioned in the Instructions file.

I can see the name of the clocks (Modern Red etc) in the Change Skin menu of the Analog clock, but when I select them, the clock doesn't change even the preview doesn't come up.

I used WinZip.

If you know how to fix this, then PM me as its difficult to find the reply here. :p

Thanks
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Thanks for your appreciation :)

Heart shaped link -> possibile, will try it for the next release

Heart shaped picture frame -> not sure, have to try it but can't promise it

Round shaped links -> definitely possible, will see to it

;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Sure, no problem... just gimme your qa_layouts and I'll add my xml to it ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Welcome back online ;)

All the older widgets are available for use with the manager, of course :)

The older ones are all together inside the Base Widgets Library, the ones I released after the manager are in the other (smaller) libraries.

To install a library, just download its zip file, extract the .wzg file anywhere on your device, use the "Add Widgets Package to Library" function inside the manager and point to the .wzg file

Once imported, all the widgets contained in the library will be available for activation with the appropriate function of the manager :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] cincy1020:
Hi:

That's a good point about the glow, I hadn't thought of that. I was hoping for a backing panel that I could use in conjunction with Backing Panel Medium (grey2 to be exact). I would like for it to be like a border around the backing panel (by putting the grey panel on top of the neon widget). Think this is possible?

Thanks!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
uhm... but if you put a panel on top of a neon one you once again cover the inner glow...

plus, the other panels in my package, no matter the height, are as wide as the screen (well, except the latest 1/3 and 2/3 of course), but the neon one could not be as wide 'cause the outer glow would be cut off resulting in a quite ugly view
[Windows Mobile Themes] boookaa:
Great works Vostradamus ,it's very useful :cool:
[Windows Mobile Themes] boookaa:
Hi Vostradamus!

I have a question.

Do you have or exist an animation wheater widgets,or it's too complicated to create,maybe impossible?

Thanks in advance

I know there is in "Sense" but I like Your widgets and mobilshell instead of Sense
[Windows Mobile Themes] zacharmax:
do I need to unistall Vostradamus Widgets Manager before I install newer version?

thnx
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Unfortunately, mobile shell currently does not support animated weather widgets... :(

Let's hope spb will add this feature to mobile shell 5 :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Not manually, it will do it automatically during the installation of the new version (after asking for your confirmation of course) :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] boookaa:
It will be nice :)

But I heard ,the MB5 will support to android only ,won't it?Or I 'm wrong? (I hope):D
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Nope, mobile shell 5 will be released for Windows Mobile, Android and Symbian :)

EDIT: unless spb changes its mind, but I doubt it :P
[Windows Mobile Themes] boookaa:
Thanks ,good news for me :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
for me too (even though I hope they won't change widgets handling too much or I'll need a lifetime and a half to convert all my widgets) :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] cincy1020:
Very good point.

Thanks anyway!
[Windows Mobile Themes] pvezzoli:
Hi Vostradamus,

I have seen the new V3.4 with new widgets clock.

Thank you very much for your help and for your work....

I wish you a great evening...

Paolo
[Windows Mobile Themes] Margez:
Hello, Vostradamus!

You do a very good work!

Respect and Thank you!

I have installed your Widgets today and I`m gonna test them in the next days.

May i ask you, if you are planning to create notification Widgets like in Sense or other Widgets with a description under the Symbol like "Text" for sms etc. in the next days/weeks?

I love the Sense Widgets and i have installed MobileSense, but I don`t want to install the whole program just for the four notification Widgets.

Thank you and Have a nice day!
[Windows Mobile Themes] rubadub234:
VWG - great job and thanks for figuring out a way to make the titled widgets.

now if i could just get them to work for me :)

can you post step by step instructions please?

thanks again, your work is amazing!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Status icons with text descriptions are surely possible, do you have any preference on the graphics to be used? would the following texts be ok?

'text'

'calls'

'emails'

'voice'

(trying to keep them short to better fit them)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Sure thing :)

- add a picture frame pointing to the image you wish to use as a background, any size will do, just pick the one that better suits your needs

- use the default skin for it, the spb one with the semi transparent border

- add a panel with the special title skin and place it overlapped to the upper border of the picture frame, you'll notice that it's designed so that its graphics will "connect" to the frame border to make it look like a part of it

- now, let's say you want your panel to be named "favourite apps"

- open widgets manager and pick the "create null shortcut" option

- you'll be asked for a name, input "favourite apps"

- now the null shortcut you're going to use as a title has been created

- add a shortcut widget pointing to "programs\vostradamus\null links\favourite apps" (the null shortcut you created a few seconds ago)

- change its skin to "special title", you will notice that it has no graphics and it's rather wide

- place it over the frame/panel overlapping the "baloon"

- done! :)

Hope I wasn't too messy in the explanation :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] pelliz72:
Custom icon

Vostradamus

maybe I am not aware of this, but is there any way to have a shortcut widget that allows to customise the icon (to choose a personal icon for the apps, witout need to change the corresponding lnk)?

Thanks
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Uhm.... I don't think you can change the icon without editing the lnk, unless you try to modify the actual exe changing the icon inside of it, but editing the lnk would be more comfortable, I guess :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] pelliz72:
I was thinking to a feature similar to what you can find in Wisbar Desktop, but I trust in you if you think this is not possible in Mobile Shell!

I think it would be very appreciated by Mobile Shell users
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
I've never "played" with wisbar desktop, so I don't really know how it manages shorcuts :p

Mobile shell on the other hand, from what I've seen so far seems to rely on the lnk itself for the icons, with the exception of course of its "internal" icons such as, for example, the "tools" menu.

Those icons can be changed easily using a little software downloadable from spb forum itself, in this thread: http://www.spbclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24550

If you need a comfortable way to create shortcuts with personalized icons though, there are several handy softwares out there, even free ones ;)

One such example can even be found on this very board: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=275577 (did not test it myself, but from what I've read it should be able to do what you need)

:)
[Windows Mobile Themes] pelliz72:
Thanks a lot, very appreciated.

If you can be interested, it could be interesting for you to take a look to wisbar advance desktop, that is an incredibly flexible way to personalise the WM launcher. I guess that your skills would enable you to create nice new staff on that platform!

Thanks a lot again
[Windows Mobile Themes] GallusLongus:
Backing Panel Activation

Hey Vostradamus,

How do i activate your new backing panels ?

I can´t find it, sorry :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Sounds like I should really take a look at it :)

Maybe I will later on, now I'm undertaking a task that's likely to take me quite a bit of time to complete... widgets previews inside the widgets manager have been asked several times so.......... :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
You mean the panel with a background image and a title on top of it?

Take a look at the top of this page, post # 1001, rubadub234 asked about how to use it and I wrote step by step instructions ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Margez:
Hi, thank you for your answer.

Maybe some graphics like in (Mobile)Sense.

(Sorry, I`m not allowed to post the link, its also a theme here on xda).

The texts you have posted are good, i mean "text", "calls" etc.

But you seems to be a genius and maybe you can do even better graphics. ;-)

Feel free about that!

You don`t have to create them until tomorrow (you know how i mean that), in the next weeks/months would be also fantastic.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Got it :)

I'll start working on it right after completing the stuff I'm working on at the moment ;) (it could take a bit of time though) :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] claus1953:
You can use SK Shortcut Manager, and change all the shortcut icons. I did that and so if you use the shortcuts inside any UI, not only mobile shell, the custom icons will be used, so you do it only once. You will have to save all this shortcuts, so when you flash a new ROM or do a hard reset, you can restore them back.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Duda258:
Hi Vostradamus, first of all, I just wanted to say that you did a great job with your widget manager. I just have one problem. Whe I activate widget I can choose it when I want to change a skin of my analog clock for example, but it won't change. What yhould I do about it? I'm sorry if there was a similar question like this one, I must have missed it in these 100 pages.:) Thanks
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Oook, let's try to understand what's happening and fix it :)

If I got it right, you activate a widget, let's say an analog clock, then when you try changing its skin you can see the activated widget name in the list but nothing happens when you select it, correct?

The above issue can usually happen if:

1) you forgot to update che xml definition file

or

2) you installed the wrong widgets for your device (qvga on vga device or the other way around)

Can you please check if one of these points could be the culprit?
[Windows Mobile Themes] Duda258:
wll, when I try to update xml definition file i get this massage: "Cannot open \storage Card\Program files\...\Widgets manager\WidgetsZioGian.xml there are no more files qa_layouts.zip: No files to add" where should I put that xml file, so I can update it?
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
After downloading the xml definition file you should extract it to the main folder of the widgets manager

(should be something like "\storage card\program files\vostradamus\widgets manager" or similar, according to where you installed it)

(I have to add a check on the existence of the xml file to the app, and maybe the option of navigating to pick it wherever it may be stored.... it's already in my to-do list)
[Windows Mobile Themes] WMLover212:
Awesome. Great work again. I love the Widget manager (and the ability to add more themes!!) Great work!
[Windows Mobile Themes] cincy1020:
Hi Vostradamus:

A couple of requests. Would it be possible to get a "Large Numbers" digital clock in cyan, only larger like the size of the backing panel "Panel Medium Grey 2"?

Also a thicker cyan picture frame (medium size), the thin picture frame is barely visible on my phone. And maybe a Cyan corder type backing panel that would work as a frame for the large contact picture.

Thanks so much!!!!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Hi there :)

Sorry to ask but.... "panel medium grey 2"? ehmm...... what is it? :p

Let me guess... you have other stuff other than mine on your phone too, right? Bet that panel is one of those :D

Thicker picture frames are possible, will add it to my to-do list :)

Frame for large contact pictures are also possible, usually I prefer to use links with invisible icons for that though (more comfortable to handle the graphics), would it be ok the same? And a little language issue... what do you mean by "corder type"? (sorry, english is not my native language, sometimes I don't get something) :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] cincy1020:
Hi:

I'm sorry the confusion is my fault. I assumed the grey medium panel was standard Mobile Shell, it is just as wide as the screen (WVGA), and still the same proportions/shape as you had for the Large Numbers clock. It is the GREY backing panel behind the clock and weather in my screenshot. It doesn't need to be an exact size, just approximate is fine.

Corder type should have said BORDER type, haha, it was just a typo :p

Links are no problem for contacts, that would be just fine. It would be especially nice if the links could be the size of the large contact photos, since I already have my screen laid out to fit that size.

Grazie!!

PS: Any idea when you might be able to make them? So I'll be looking for them.

PPS: Your english is great! Better than some native speakers, lol!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Eh eh... mobile shell does not have backing panels at all, they're addons made by modders to improve the way it looks :p

Actually, if you have the entry "backing panels" in the add widget menu, then most probably you have installed something made by mskip, 'cause the original name of that entry was "current date" and mskip hijacked it 'cause people tend to use backing panels more than current dates (all the current date widgets are still inside it though) :D

About the large numbers clock, if I got it right then you would like one with the same font but the background as wide as the screen?

Ooook corder = border lol glad to see I'm not the only one hitting the wrong key from time to time :D

Empty link with border to be used as a frame for large contacts: got it ;)

By the way... large contact is exactly as wide as my small picture frames... give this a try:

- add a picture frame widget and assign any squared image to it

- apply my "thin" skin to it (any color)

- add a large contact widget and place it over the picture frame

The picture of course will be covered, but you should still see the frame around the contact picture :)

Don't have an ETA at the moment.... I'm working on adding widgets previews to the widgets manager, and it's a quite time consuming (and boring) task... hope to be done with it in the next few days, but I don't know how much time (if any) I'll have to spare for it during the weekend... Will try my best to be fast though ;)

EDIT: ok, now I've seen the screenshot... so you meant an enlarged (VERY enlarged) version of the clock?
[Windows Mobile Themes] cincy1020:
Hi Again:

You are absolutely correct, I have Mskip's theme installed, but changed most of it with your widgets :)

The suggestion for contact pics worked perfectly. If possible, I would still like the frame a little thicker though.

Yes, I was hoping for a LARGE clock please :D But it doesn't necessarily have to be the size of that backing panel. You have very good taste, please make it whatever size you think would look nice for a large clock :)

I will be very eagerly awaiting the new widgets!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much!
[Windows Mobile Themes] cincy1020:
Hi Again:

You are absolutely correct, I have Mskip's theme installed, but changed most of it with your widgets :)

The suggestion for contact pics worked perfectly. If possible, I would still like the frame a little thicker though.

Yes, I was hoping for a LARGE clock please :D

I will be very eagerly awaiting the new widgets!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much!
[Windows Mobile Themes] cincy1020:
PS: The clock doesn't necessarily need to be as large as the backing panel. I think you have very good taste, please make it whatever size you think would look nice for a large clock. I was using your neon clock before, and really liked the size.

Thanks again!!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
No problem, thicker picture frames are already on my to-do list :)

About the clock: I'll experiment a bit and see what very large size seem to look best ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] GallusLongus:
donated a Coffee and some Tuna for your Cat...

Thanx for your work, Dude...
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Thankyou heaps, my cat is purring all around lol :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] hyongbai:
Sorry but can not download

Thx for your sending to my email hyongbai@gmail.com

Thx .
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
you can't download from the mirror on 4shared either? :confused:

The full package (widgets manager + xml definition file + all the libraries) is sorta large... can't really send 50 Mbytes on email...... :eek:
[Windows Mobile Themes] raza1:
So here is my first screenshot;
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Hey, looks good! :D

May I suggest you to try iGO8? ;) I think it's much better than tomtom :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] raza1:
Hehe, already did but it's too fancy and its menu handling was a bit more slower. As a courier a use TT a lot but also tried all the other navigation software but never find it better than TT.:D

How are you doing with the process of putting pictures in the manager of the widgets? Or are you planning to do it different?

I just changed my SPBMobile startpage into this;

The only thing I'm not satisfied with is the neon status pictograms, because it's not really clear wether there has been a call or not. The number zero changes into a green 1 but you have to look very good to see that.

The original status pictograms did the job better because it stays at the background when it's idle and it is coloured when there has been a call or something. So I'm searching fot the optimal startscreen as you see, hehe!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
I'm still in the process of taking all the needed screenshots (it's driving me crazy lol) :D

I have no way to show pictures directly inside the manager, so it will have a menu similar to the one used to activate them, only when selecting one of them it will open the appropriate picture using internet explorer :p

About the status icons, maybe you could try a different set other than neon... with your current layout maybe the big box rounded blue or something along those lines could look good ;)

I'd also change the color of the operator widget: that blue does not look too readable on the black background :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Margez:
Hi, Vostradamus!

I wrote to you about the status icons some days ago (texts under the icons).

At the moment, i am in the mood of having a screen with only invisible icons ;-)

Completely below on the screen I have big invisible icons, "Lock", "Menu" and "Contacts".

On top on the screen I have the status icons.

I have seen you got totally invisible status icons in your Widgets Manager, and when I got a sms they show the professional icon with an exclamation point.

Is it possible (and what do you think of this idea) to create an invisible status icon Widget to show the default status icon or another icon (like the Big Border icons) WITH numbers instead of an exclamation point when i recieve a sms/mail/call?

Just an idea.

Best regards
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Would be nice, but unfortunately it's not possible :(

The number is either always or never visible, I can't make it show only when it's higher than 0... that's the reason why those icons have an exclamation point instead of the counter....
[Windows Mobile Themes] rubadub234:
nope, I understood perfectly:) thanks

here is what i put together

http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=293301&stc=1&d=1268495230

you know i have a love of larger fonts, but i understand the limitations

great work as always, you are a perfect example of what XDA is all about
[Windows Mobile Themes] rubadub234:
here is my 6.5.3 start menu, it is the only thing i have ever customized and edited myself

it took me 2 days, graph paper and a calculator:)

http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=293305&stc=1&d=1268495735

so you can see my love of large fonts, i dont wear glasses but maybe i should see my optometrist for a checkup :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Margez:
Thank you for your answer, Vostradamus!

I didn`t knew that, that`s why I asked you.

Best regards.