yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Sounds like for some reason the injected xml is missing... try running the "restore xml" function and see if it gets any better.

If it does not help, please attach your qa_layouts.dat so I can take a look at it
[Windows Mobile Themes] karlos.m:
It works. Thanks a lot
[Windows Mobile Themes] nbone:
hello,

do you have an italian widgets tutorial ?

ciao, non è che per caso hai il tutorial status widgets in italiano ?

grazie e complimenti
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
I'm afraid not, try taking a look at the english one and feel free to pm me if you need help in translating it or anything else ;)

Temo di no, prova a dare un'occhiata a quello in inglese e se ti serve una mano per tradurlo o per altro scrivimi tranquillamente in pm ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] dansia47:
So, if I use Spb style menubar I'm limited to the shell functions and the additional panel. But is there a way to assign an icon to the link to an additional panel?

At present I use the Side Buttons Original menubar.

I've created an additional panel with my favorite contacts (as discussed time ago).

I put an invisible link to it in the menubar area of all pageg of lyfestyle home panel, placing it over a null link with a significant icon. Could I do the same (or similar) with the Spb style menubar?
[Windows Mobile Themes] kenziesgrandma:
Hi Vostradamus, I got my phone back and am I ever glad! That little loaner was driving me crazy, the screen was so small after using my Omnia II. Anyways I was wondering if I could request something else for your next update? Along with the additional glass icons I mentioned before, could you please make a glass panel about the size of MSKip's medium gray panel? I'd really appreciate it if it's not too much trouble, I really like the looks of the glass icons and stuff.:p

thanks very much

Kathy
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
I'm afraid not... additional panels linked in a menubar will have the "additional panel icon", it's not customizable 'cause the icon too needs to be internal to mobile shell :(
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
On my to-do list ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] kenziesgrandma:
Looking forward to it, thank you.

Kathy
[Windows Mobile Themes] dansia47:
OK, I think I'll keep using the Side Buttons Original menubar, customizing the menubar area of all pages. It's more flexible for me.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Yep, if you're using links to additional panels in that area that could really be the best solution for you :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
You might want to check WHICH grey panel it is first because I have 2 medium grey panels and they are different sizes ;)

Grey2 is the one I use for my sense clock layout (480x260). My standard medium panels are 470x232.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
I think she was referring to the one already included in MsM libraries :)

Anyway, I'm gonna make it of a more "even" size, (480x240) so it will be very similar to both of them and easy to align with basically any other thing ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] kenziesgrandma:
It was the Grey 2 one that I was talking about, I like the way it looks behind the clocks. But, I'll be happy with whatever one you come up with Vostradamus, I think the main thing is that it is the full width of the screen and larger than the other glass panel.

thanks,

Kathy
[Windows Mobile Themes] kenziesgrandma:
Vostradamus, I have a question for you (surprise, surprise, lol). In the first set of layout examples in your first post how did you change the background on the Favorites page (4th screenshot) and on the Agenda page (8th screenshot)? They look like the actual MS carousel panels, or are they panels you created? And if they are how did you do it? I really like the looks of it, and I'm redoing things a bit (again surprise, surprise, right?) because I had to do a hard reset of my phone and just decided to play around for awhile.

thanks for your help

Kathy
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Yep, they are actual MS panels, I just used the "Panels -> SpbPanels Wallpaper" function to set the background image. That function will allow you to customize the wallpaper on any standard mobile shell panel :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] kenziesgrandma:
Thanks, it's easy once you know how, lol.

thanks again

Kathy
[Windows Mobile Themes] iosifm:
Great work, but i have a problem. I have samsung omnia. I can change the menu bar, but the widgets dont change skin. I have allready activate some widgets, but when i tab the widget at homescreen and select the skin i want nothing change.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
What omnia do you have (i900, i910 or i8000, i920)?

i900, i910 use qvga library

i8000, i920 use vga library

Did you download the right one?

If your library is the right one, try running the "restore xml" function in MsM and see if it gets any better :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] iosifm:
Thanks. It works
[Windows Mobile Themes] hudster2001:
I'm trying to create my own widgets using your tutorial, and all is ok.

But i was hoping to look at your xml fikle to see how the different widgets are put together. But it's password protected So i can't access your xml file.

Can you supply us with the password, or is it restricted for your copyright.

Thanks in advance for any help.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
I guess you mean the xml that needs to be injected into qa_layouts.dat...

Just take a look in the "CurrentXML" subfolder inside MsM main folder, you'll find it in there without any password protection ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] hudster2001:
Cheers.

I'm wanting to create a iphone style set of status widgets, so I might ask a few questions while I get used to it. I've never used xml before.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
It's not too difficult, just try to follow the guide and ask if you need further info ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] jazua:
Compatibility

Is this compatible with my screen resolution which is 320x320 sqvga?

And im using SPB mobile shell skins from imarche.net would it be ok using

using this Mobile shell manager?

Thanks in advance!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
It should work except for the menubars which are only for (w)qvga and (w)vga.

Having imarche skins installed should not be a problem, however if you change skin with imarche you will have to use the restore xml function of the manager to make activated widgets work again.

Also, if you create new additional panels with the manager, changing skin with imarche will most probably destroy them... so be careful.

On the other hand, MsM will not disrupt anything in imarche: it's designed to be as much compatible and non-invasive as possible ;)

All of the above is in theory.... I've run a few tests on a 320x320 emulator, but I've never had an actual user with a square screen device use it deeply, so if you try I'd be grateful if you could report your experience :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] davidm2:
Hi,

I have the question: when I turn off all toolbars on Lifescreen (so there're no toolbar, no buttons), how can I change the background image of Lifescreen? Only way I know is using right toolbar button and then "change background", but I have no right button... (changing layout is possible by press-and-hold everywhere, but how to change background?)

Thank you for an advice...
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
By "turning off all toolbars" I guess you mean you're using the invisible menubar, which leaves the whole screen available for widgets, right?

Even though they're invisible, the two very small side buttons opening the carousel (left button) and the menu (right button) are still present and working... so just tap on the very bottom right corner and you'll see the menu popping up with all its functions, change wallpaper included ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] davidm2:
Thanks V. :-)

Anyway (although I know you must be owerhelmed by such request) could you include into your library the

simple

set of widgets, which is only text, no graphics (diferent sizes would be great): clock, (date - already included but not short date format only), counters (missed calls, sms). I like "metro" design idea - clean simple look, text only. (I don't like wp7 homescreen layout, I'd like to arrange my own with SPB, but really miss simple text-only widget)

Thank you very much.

D.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
could you try to draw a fake screenshot of how you would like them to be, size-wise? Just to have an idea.....

(be sure to include an example for each widget you'd like)

Keep in mind that I'll stick to Tahoma font (which is a standard system font and already installed for sure) 'cause fonts can be quite large and I don't wanna burden device memory more than necessary :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] iceman_platinum:
Most of the widgets not working

Most of the widgets are not working on my touch pro 2, I did everything that was told but when I try to change a widget example AVPs nothing happens the neon silloute or the glass etc what am I doing wrong I removed every widget removed spb mobile and reinstalled everything like 5 times and the same widgets arent working help.......please :(:(:(
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
you mean that you can see the name of the widget in the change skin menu but nothing happens when you select it?

If that's the case, there could be 2 possible reasons.

1) wrong library version. Touch Pro 2 is a VGA device, did you download the right library?

2) if the library is the right one, then something could have gone wrong during xml injection. Try running the "restore xml" function in MsM and see if it gets any better

EDIT: I just noticed.... you wrote "MOST of the widgets are not working".... does this mean that some of them are working fine?
[Windows Mobile Themes] iceman_platinum:
yes like the neon theme space theme and the yummy theme are the only ones working
[Windows Mobile Themes] iceman_platinum:
I have been using the qvga library is that the wrong library? by the way I really love the work thank you
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Yep, that's the wrong one.... HTC Touch Pro 2 is a VGA device, so you need the VGA library :)

Now you need to:

- deactivate any currently active widget

- download VGA library

- go into MsM main folder, then into "widgets" subfolder

- delete EVERYTHING inside "widgets" subfolder

- run MsM and import the VGA library

- activate the desired widgets

- enjoy :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] iceman_platinum:
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] RedRamage:
Pro Status Icon Colors?

Here's my latest thought:

Pro Status Icons that use colors other than the standard red. I'm talking about the little box that shows the number. It might be nice for some people's scheme to have the box show up in green or yellow or blue.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
uhm... I could be wrong but... isn't there something like that already? Does my memory fail me? (could very well be lol) :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] Margez:
Dear Vostradamus!

I have even thanked you in the past but let me thank you again!

I think you are getting better and better in creating Widgets.

Thank you very much for your work and for the patience with us users.

Best Regards.

P.S.:

Please donate if you like Vostradamus Widgets. At least one time!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Thanks, I'm really glad you like my creations! :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
Hi 2 all ! Vostradamus, you really did a great job with this, but I have a problem. I hope you`ll help. First of all I`m with Samsung Omnia i900 (WM 6.1 - original ROM) and SPB mobile shell 3.5.5. So, I`ve installed your program, everything was great, first I tried the MenuBars, which worked great, but I can`t activate the widgets. I`m doing what it says in the "instalation" section. than I go to the shell widget and try to change his skin, it appears the new option (which I "activated") but does not change the widget. Any suggestions ?! Thanks 2 all who have the answere
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
2 possible reasons that I can think of...

1) library version. Samsung Omnia i900 is a wqvga device, so you need the qvga library. Is it the one that you downloaded?

2) if the library is the right one, then maybe something went wrong when MsM imported the xml inside qa_layouts.... try running the "restore xml" function from "library" menu inside MsM
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
Hahaha, mate, I`ve just done the restore XML. I`m laughing, because after I asked you the question here then I searched Google and somewhere I read (in omniahub forum I think) a copy of your tutorial AGAIN (which I thought I`ve read 100 times) and saw the thing with the XML file. Than I did it, saw that it worked and came back here to see if you were answer. Well, even though I`ve fixed my problem before seeing your answer, I think you can take a credit for the RIGHT answer as well . Cheers, Vostra ! Thank you again for your great job on this and to everyone how helped you !!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Jamio88:
Is it possible to use this to change my menu tab's shape (I want a more curved version of the menu tab, like an "android-ish", if you will).

Just wishing thinking I am sure, but it is worth asking (I suppose)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
There's a preview image of every available menubar on the picasa gallery (link in the first post)... try taking a look at it and see if there's something you could like ;)

In the next update there's gonna be another menubar too, so keep an eye open for new updates too :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] jotha:
Updated the FAQ with this "I have activated widgets, they show up in the list, but when I choose them, nothing happens"-Problem.

As that XML-Injection problem seems to happen more often in the last time with certain phone types, I think it would be helpful to some and spare vostradamus the same answer for the xth time ;).

He can now use my motto as an answer :D (what he with his italian calmness would never do).
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
lol I'm aiming to sainthood maybe ahahahah :p :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
I`ve read "The f**** FAQ" a couple of times ;) It`s nice of you to add "my problem" to the FAQ. Sorry if Vostradamos had answered (same question to others) my question before and I have not found it it the Thread.
[Windows Mobile Themes] jotha:
No need to apologize ;). Just was making fun with Vostradamus, cause he's one of the politest people I ever knew, and it's a running gag between us.

As I wrote, it's obviously not only your problem, but became a "Frequently asked Question". And up to now reading the FAQ wouldn't have helped you.
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
Nice to chat to a German and Italian :) brings up memories from the summer of 1994 in USA ;) Thanks for the football things in the Manager ;) Ooops, I forgot to say that I`m from Bulgaria :)

Will it be a problem if I use the Imarche skins with this one ?!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Should be

partially

fine...

I mean: last time I checked (it was some time ago, I admit), imarche skins worked by overwriting qa_layouts every time you use it to change theme.

This would cause some problems to MsM stuff, some of them easily solved, some a little bit less....

After a theme change with imarche, you would find:

- active widgets not working -> solved by using the restore xml function

- menubars back to default -> solved by re-applying them

- additional panels created with MsM destroyed -> this could be the most annoying one... you'll have to recreate them

On the other hand, MsM should not disrupt anything in imarche (I've tried to keep it as compatible and non-invasive as possible) :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
Thanks again, you`re great :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
Ok, I`m here again :) Again I have to apologize for my previous questions ( about XML file and the "will it be a problem to use this with skins from Imarche"), because today I read the posts in the Thread after 19 july (last update) and I saw the answeres to my questions there ! So I have new couple of questions - do the panels wallpapers have to be in .bmp only? And is the menubar customizable only for the home screens ? Sorry if you`ve answered those questions befor :)
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
lol don't worry about those questions: that was just a recurring pun between me and jotha ;)

Yep, panels wallpapers need to be bmp files... it's a limitation of the "workaround" to put wallpapers where mobile shell didn't have them :p

Menubars are currently customizable only on lifestyle and professional panels, but not on other panels such as weather, contacts and similar (I could consider making those ones customizable too, but I don't have a real "project" about it at the moment)
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
Okay :) Thanks again !!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Released new Widgets Library + new Advanced Menubar Library :)

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

Enjoy! :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] fubo73:
Hi Vostradamus,

I'm using your work and v5 is really awesome, especially the backup/restore feature! Now I can reflash my I8000 and restore the SPBMS layout in a moment!

Well done!
[Windows Mobile Themes] RedRamage:
Maybe I'm just not seeing it. I see that you have different colors for the 'Default' status Icons, but I don't see different colors for the 'Pro' status Icons.

:confused:
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
lol you're right, I was thinking of the default ones :p

Pro ones on my to do list ;)
[Windows Mobile Themes] laverne:
Thank you vostradamus!!! :)

i would just like to say thank you for all your hard work!!! im totally inlove with MSM! the program is awesome! i've tried other add ons but this one by far out shines all others!

and what strikes me as the most beautiful thing is that you are such an amazingly generous and willing to help kinda guy!

keep up this awesome work! you should develop you own UI or shell and make millions from it! really you should! ;)

with love and appreciation

Laverne
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Thank you so much! :o :D
[Windows Mobile Themes] gauravbaadshah:
Hello

the automatic scheduled wallpaper changing is not working for me.

thanks
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
a few things to check:

- check in your notification queue if there's an entry set up to launch mortscript.exe with "lifestylescheduler.mscr" as a parameter at the day/time you've set for the wallpaper change

(I wouldn't normally ask a user to check such a thing, but I remember you're not an amateur at all so I know you can do it) ;)

- try setting it to a time when you can check if the shell gets restarted

- the pictures in the folder you selected need to be jpeg files, are they the right format?

- how many times did you try the automatic change? The next image is selected randomly, not sequentially, so sometimes it could happen getting the same picture twice in a row, and the less pictures you have in the folder the more chances you have to get the same one
[Windows Mobile Themes] kenziesgrandma:
Thanks a lot for the new widgets Vostradamus, I was the first to download it this morning and I've got it all set up with the new glass icons and panel. It looks great, I really appreciate your hard work and help. :)

thanks again

Kathy
[Windows Mobile Themes] rjrocks:
sir, change skin for calendars,operators,contacts doesn't work for me. i hv installed clean spb ms, msm, but no luck. i m using qvga device with spb ms 3.5.5 and wm6.0.
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
A few questions to try and understand where the problem could be:

Are those the only ones not working while all the others work fine? (say, digital clocks, analog clock, weather and so on)

What happens when you activate one of them and then try to select it?

Which ones did you try?

What device do you have?

Already tried to run the "restore xml" function, just in case?
[Windows Mobile Themes] jazua:
love to try MsM

Vostradamus i just made full backed-up and i would to try MsM on my samsung i907 320x320 SQVGA screen resolution. but i want to know what library i should download? will QVGA library work on my resolution?

and can i make a request for a menu bar that is compatible with my screen?

maybe too much to ask but thanks in advance!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
qvga library should be fine :)

Regarding the menubar, that would require not only designing the menubar but also some more scripting to make MsM support menubar "building" for 320x320 devices.... I'll see what I can do, but I can't give you a release date... dunno if it will be in the next release or later on...

Which one of the currently available menubars would you like me to try porting to your resolution?
[Windows Mobile Themes] jazua:
success

Sir Good day, ive installed your mobile shell manager with the qvga library and so far no cinflict with imarche skin. one thing is the user interface is not really suited for my resolution. its being compress because of my sqvga.

and regarding the menu bar i like the ff:

neon buttons

spb style buttons

and curve buttons.

hoping you would port it on a squared devices.

still browsing with tons of your widget! thanks alot sir!!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Yep, they're gonna be a little bit smaller 'cause they use the same graphics as a 240 pixels screen, but other than that they should work :)

You could also find that some of the link skins do not seem to fit right with the icons: this is because mobile shell automatically resizes icons to qvga size + 1/3.... unfortunately I don't have a way to prevent this from happening :( Luckily enough though, there's plenty of link skins available so I'm positive you should be able to find some that can be used even if the icons are slightly bigger :)

Got it, will see what I can do ;)

eheh have fun :D :p
[Windows Mobile Themes] davidm2:
widgets

Hello,

i'm posting the "idea" screen layout. The bottom bar (links) i could do by images and invisible links. But if you should do clock, counters and date (this simple format), it will be fine :-) . There's a possible new layout of battery, which i like, if you should do this too ;-)

About Tahoma font: don't hesitate to use HelveticaNeue LT 35 Thin, which is installed with most HTC devices and look nicer at this case than Tahoma (tahoma si too bold..)

Thanx,

David
[Windows Mobile Themes] ziko87:
Hi, Davide! I like it - it`s very nice and simple. How did you remove the start menu ?!
[Windows Mobile Themes] Vostradamus:
Clock and status should be ok :)

I'm not sure about the date... I don't think mobile shell has a widget which could provide the info in that format....

Lemme explain:

MS has 2 widgets capable of displaying the date...

- Current Date widget

- Digital Clock widget

The first one provides 3 fields (day number, day name, month name) which I can place freely inside the widget area

The second one (digital clock), provides the date info in 1 single, line-shaped field (day name, day number, month name)

As you can see, the only one which would allow me to arrange the date parts as I want is the current date widget,

but

it provides the month as a month name, not as a month number.... so the date layout in your image seems to be not possible :(

About the font... I'd rather user a font which is default-installed on every device, not just the HTC ones... :p up to now, every MsM widget can be used on any device, I'd like to keep it like that ;)

If you think Tahoma is too bold then maybe I could use Arial Narrow, which is definitely not bold lol :p it's the only font I couldn't help including with MsM 'cause several widgets need it in order to have a small(narrow) but readable font for space-saving widgets, on qvga more than on vga (plus it's not too large, luckily) :D

EDIT: have you seen the "Clean Simple Large" digital clock? Could it be suitable for you or do you need a different font?
[Windows Mobile Themes] rjrocks:
other widgets r working fine. when i go to activate weather widget then one empty box appear and when i click on that nothing happens. i hv qvga device running wm 6.0 (elfin)

i tried restore xml also but nothing happens