yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
To be honest I cant wait for Mobile Shell 5 to come out, iff they ever release it. In Feb they stated it would be released in 3rd quarter 2010 and thats gone now. I want to see what they have done and how much it can be ripped apart and improved :D

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] GEX THE GECKO:
haha i bet you could make it 10 x better than what it will be, i only found out about it today just come across it when i was lookin through youtube think it looks amazing and if its not finished it can only get better:)
[Windows Mobile Themes] eras3r:
Now all is OK.

But where is the clock from your first post in DROID? I can't find the clock :(
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Add a Digital Clock then hold your finger on the clock and change its skin to Diamond White.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] GEX THE GECKO:
@ mark

how do i open the extracted cab files? basically i downloaded 1 of your cab files proplus freedom w_vga i think it was because i want to try messn with widgets again, then i extracted all the files from the cab. uzing winzip but when i click most of the extracted files it says "windowz cannot open this file" also some open in gimp but others say invalid file type:( any ideas?

if i manage to edit a file how do i put it all back together into a usable cab file?
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
They probably dont open properly because you need to use a cab manager to extract the files and build a cab back up. Using winzip wont extract them properly and produce errors.

I use WinCE Cab Manager to build my cabs but its a paid for application. If you google cab managers then you may find a free alternative or you could try asking Vostradamus what he uses.

Once the files are extracted properly then you can open the dat files using winzip. If you dont want to go down the cab manager route then you can just install the program and then copy the files from your program files, spb mobile shell folder on your phone.

You could also install the Windows Mobile 6.5 Emulator on your pc to test everything without having to constantly use your phone.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] GEX THE GECKO:
On the download now thanks for the info and the winmo tip:)
[Windows Mobile Themes] GEX THE GECKO:
I downloaded the professional version of the emulator was it the wrong 1? i dont no how to work it lol
[Windows Mobile Themes] cac2us:
Emulator

I am downloading all three, 6.0, 6.5, & 6.5.3.

System Requirements

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

•Supported Operating Systems:Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2;Windows Vista;Windows XP Service Pack 3

The following software is required. Please check each application's system requirements individually.

For integration with Visual Studio:

•Windows Mobile 6 SDKs

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does this mean that I can run the 6.5 emulator alone, if I don't need integration with Visual Studio?

Thanks for the link....
[Windows Mobile Themes] GEX THE GECKO:
It sayz the following software is required so i think you will probably need it
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
You only need to install Visual Studio for WM6.5.3 emulator. With 6 and 6.5 you can install the emulator and run it as a standalone package.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] nowhereXmanX:
Update

sorry but when is gonna be the update for the WQVGA version.

can you put double tap to get access in the widgets or icons? cuz some times some1 can tap accidantly .

PD: This pictures are wat i mention b4 about the weather(letter of weather) this happened when is night . during the day letters and pics from weather are similar.
[Windows Mobile Themes] nowhereXmanX:
this is at the morning . letters and pics similar.
[Windows Mobile Themes] RobTsintas:
Shortcut widget icons

When I add a shortcut to my lifestyle page, for some programs the icon is not displayed.

All I get is a white-rectangle-with-blue-top icon; the sort of thing I'd expect to see if there was no icon available. But the same program in the start menu does have an icon.

I've also noticed some programs display a different icon to what I see in the start menu, but this isn't really a problem.

What's going on, and how can I get the widgets to display the icon?

I don't know if this is related to ProPlus (I use droid layout), or whether it's just a general Mobile Shell thing. If it is the latter, I apologise for posting here, but I have a feeling that knowledgeable/helpful MSkip will know the answer and will be happy to help!
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
I am currently doing a few tweaks to the Manager to seperate the MenuBars into their types and add a Droid MenuBar with the original swiping layout. [W]VGA should be updated in a few days and [W]QVGA by the end of the week (hopefully).

The image distortion is from the weather desription widget but I have absolutely no idea what is causing it and I havent had anyone else report a similar problem. I will try to reproduce it on my emulator but can you narrow it down a bit more as to when it goes wrong (time, weather condition).

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
I also have the same problem with displaying certain icons on the screen. You are correct in that the shortcut link isnt finding the programs icon so its displaying the icon you described. Its a bug with spb mobile shell and I have had it in every version since 3.5 and have no idea what causes it. I just leave those apps off the main screen lol. Its not anything to do with ProPlus as I have it with or without it installed im guessing it has something to do with the cache in mobile shell but I havent really looked into the cause.

Might be worth asking vostradamus as he may have looked into it more. If you find anything out please let me know lol. Sorry I couldnt be more help.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] RobTsintas:
Thanks. I've done some further searching, using Spb's forums, and I think I've worked out what causes the problem!

It's related to .png icon files and the following registry key, which tells the Start Menu to use them instead of the icon stored in the .exe:

HKLM\security\shell\startinfo\start\--application name--.lnk

If the key above is deleted, on next reset, the program .exe file's icon displays correctly.

But this doesn't allow to use different or more detailed icons.

Looking at the various .png files of icons in the various registry keys, I noticed that, while they are various different sizes and resolutions, the working ones are all square (eg. 90x90 pixels) but the non-working ones are not!

Sure enough, editing a non-working icon .png file to be square, then changing the registry entry to refer to the new one fixes the problem (although I screwed up the transparency, so will need to try again).

So it seems that Mobile Shell just can't handle non-square png icons, whereas the Start Menu can!
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Thanks for the info I will make a note of it and put it in the FAQ for future reference :)

God I havent checked the spb mobile shell forum for ages LOL :D

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] nowhereXmanX:
well i think this is wat you need. Distortion of the weather goes when is night like 19:00 , sometimes. not always. but always is different the name weather widget (19:00). the image of the weather is correct. as is show in the pics i posted.
[Windows Mobile Themes] sunnyhj:
Hi mskip,

Will there be a HVGA verison of this..?? I have HD mini and i really like this ProPlus Freedom..can u plzz make this for HVGA also..??

Thanks
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
After [W]VGA and [W]QVGA have been update I will start trying to create a HVGA compatable version but its going to be a long process as I will have to recreate all MenuBar images as well as calculating coordinates for every single image.

Be patient and I will do my best to bring ProPlus to HVGA users :)

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
UPDATE FOR PROPLUS FREEDOM [W]VGA RESOLUTIONS!!

ChangeLog:

7th October 2010 (VGA, WVGA)

+ Now fully compatable with ALL language Roms (including backing up and restoring layouts to Storage Card).

+ Split 'Preset Themes' list in the Manager into 2 sections. Smooth Scrolling MenuBars and Selectable Pages MenuBars to make selections simpler.

+ Added ProPlus Droid2 MenuBar Theme for smooth scrolling layouts.

+ Added Weather Location Widget to show your currently selected location on the screen.

+ Fixed bug when trying to change both menubars to ProPlus Desire.

+ Minor bug fixes and improvements in ProPlus Manager and Backup/Restore Apps.

+ Created a ProPlus Freedom Widgets ONLY Injection Pack for people who only want the widgets.

Download links in the first post as usual :)

Enjoy.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] alex.alp:
hi Mark thanks for the new release, downloading!!!
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Now working on [W]QVGA so hopefully it will be ready and uploaded later on today or tonight :)

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] RobTsintas:
MSkip,

Can you advise on whether our backups will be restored successfully from the previous version to the new version? (I remember that a previous update prevented this from working).

Also, will it be possible to restore my Droid layout into the new Droid2 theme?

Cheers
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Previous backups will restore to the new version without any problems :)

No im afraid you cant restore a ProPlus Droid layout to the new Droid2 Theme as they are initalised differently. If you look at the Preset theme types then you can backup and restore between any of the 'Smooth Scrolling' Themes, or between any of the 'Selectable Pages' Themes but not from one type to the other type.

Hope that answers your question.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] brockyneo:
hi mskip im new to mobile shell and just installed your pro plus freedom and wow:eek: this is amazing i will never go back to sence now this is well great i never thought mobile shell would be this good as no cookes use it thanks mskip with me been new i have a noob question you have a lot of different versions of this like egelance and others is this one like the full everyting in it kind of version thanks again:D
[Windows Mobile Themes] albarona1:
thanks alot mark

very nice job
[Windows Mobile Themes] RobTsintas:
Background refresh issues

I've installed the latest version. After having a go with Droid2 smooth scrolling, I think I'm going to stick with original Droid. This is partly because I don't want to set up my screens from scratch, and partly because I like being able to jump straight to a particular screen.

Interestingly I noticed that, on Droid2, I can still access the extra lifestyle screens 1,2,3,5,6,7 using the spb shortcuts or the alternative carosel view, although once on one of these, there's no sideways scrolling enabled.

Anyway, my bigger problem is concerning the background. Previously, upon changing the background image, it would either update immediately or after I use the Background Refresh link (seemed to be about 50/50).

Now, I can't get the background to change to my chosen image, even after using Background Refresh or doing a soft reset.

I even tried completely uninstalling Proplus, uninstalling Mobile shell and then re-installing both, but this problem persists.

EDIT: I tried once more just after posting the above, and it worked! BUT, then I saw that the background had changed on screens 1,2,3,4 and 7. But on screens 5 and 6, it was still on the default background!

One more soft reset later, and all screens now show my preferred background - phew!

Any ideas?

Thanks
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Thank you for the great praise :)

Yes ProPlus Freedom is a compilation of all previous ProPlus Themes all in 1 package (apart from Windows Phone 7 Theme). I made it this way so that users could switch effortlessly between different themes without having to uninstall and install a new theme whenever they felt like a change :)

I hope you have fun with all the different options you can set :D

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
If you are using the Smooth Scrolling MenuBar then the shortcut links are available as extra 'hubs'. By default they are set to 1 page wide but you can change the number of pages in any of the 'hubs' through the Manager so you could have a link to a new hub and set it to 3, 5 or 7 pages wide. You could then set a shortcut link to take you back to the main lifestyle page or just swipe up or down to take you out.

If you are using one of the Smooth Scrolling MenuBars then Background image changes will take affect imediately with no problems. When using the Selectable Pages MenuBars however you need to use the Background Refresh app which deletes the Background.dat file from the Spb Mobile Shell folder and then stops and restarts Mobile Shell so that the new image can be loaded.

I tried to recreate your problem using different MenuBars and different images and the Background images always changed after using the Background Refresh app. I have no idea how it could have even happened as all LifeStyle screens share the same background image in the dat file I mentioned so if that is changed then they should all change. If it happens then try just retarting Mobile Shell using my app rather than a full soft reset.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] reddington:
Tried to download the full version for WVGA and only 109 K of the 8 Mb file downloads and says download complete. Any thoughts. Looking forward to trying out your work.

Thanks
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Try it again if it doesnt work then I will make a 4shared mirror for the full version.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] reddington:
Tried to download again and it stopped after 400 kb and closed with complete.

Thanks,
[Windows Mobile Themes] cac2us:
downloading

Try using FireFox.

It works for me...
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Heres a mirror for 4shared for the full [W]VGA version. If that doesnt work then try using another internet browser.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] brockyneo:
hi guys is they a way to have fullscreen i mean remove top black bar thanks:D
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
I believe there was a program a long time ago but I forget its name and I wouldnt recomend it as it screws up all the windows mobile screens.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] brockyneo:
hi mskip ok thanks ill give it a miss lol im amazed why cooks dont use ms and your program cause they are excellenti mean if you ask me there is just as much here as cht thanks again just one more noob question has your app got all the tweaking tools ill need to make most of mbs or is they an app like chte type of thing thanks great work:D:)
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Mainly because Spb Mobile Shell is a paid for application so all chefs would be able to install is the Trial version which would run out in a few weeks. And no warez versions as thats illegal ;)

What kind of tweaking did you want to do? Pretty much everything you would want to do can be done by using the ProPlus Manager. If you find some tweaking that I missed then let me know and I will see if it can be added.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] ironhead65:
Mark,

Which package do I want to install if I want to install just the menubar? The Naked package?

Thanks!

--Ironhead
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Yes if you dont want any of the widgets then you want to go naked ;)

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
UPDATE FOR PROPLUS FREEDOM [W]QVGA RESOLUTIONS!!

9th October 2010 (QVGA, WQVGA)

+ Now fully compatable with ALL language Roms (including backing up and restoring layouts to Storage Card).

+ Split 'Preset Themes' list in the Manager into 2 sections. Smooth Scrolling MenuBars and Selectable Pages MenuBars to make selections simpler.

+ Added ProPlus Droid2 MenuBar Theme for smooth scrolling layouts.

+ Added Weather Location Widget to show your currently selected location on the screen.

+ Fixed bug when trying to change both menubars to ProPlus Desire.

+ Minor bug fixes and improvements in ProPlus Manager and Backup/Restore Apps.

+ Taken out the Reset Layout option when changing menubars to make the process easier. You can still reset the layout using the Layouts Restore program if needed.

+ When backing up a layout to a slot that is already being used you will now be asked if you want to overwrite the file.

+ If using a scrolling menubar (original, ultimate, ultimatev2, desire) you can now add extra hubs using the menu, add widget, shortcut, spblinks, lifestyle1-7 and then change the number of pages in the hub using the ProPlus Manager. You can do this in previous versions of Freedom but you couldnt change the number of pages.

+ When adding new hubs, the menubar on the new hubs will now be the same as the menubar on the lifestyle page.

+ Added the Original MenuBar ONLY option in the ProPlus Manager Themes which can be set on the professional or lifestyle or both screens.

+ Added horizontal and vertical lines (black or white) to the shortcut skins which was on older ProPlus cabs

+ Added NEW Android (droid) status widgets with either a black or grey text background

+ Remade the medium grey2 panel with the rounded edges that is used in the Sense look. Been made slightly bigger with a cleaner border

+ Added a new wallpaper for the lifestyle screen (HTC Sense).

+ Added the option in the ProPlus Manager to enable/disable SpbMobileShell from the windows, startup folder so that when you soft reset your device it wont automatically boot into Mobile Shell.

+ Created a ProPlus Freedom Widgets ONLY Injection Pack for people who only want the widgets.

Download links in the first post as usual.

Enjoy.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] brockyneo:
hi manip thanks for update whats the best way to install is it best to uninstall old one first or just copy over or wait till the cook realises a new ROM and install on fresh copy thanks again
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Theres absolutely no need to install on a new Rom..

If you already have Freedom installed and want to keep your layouts then use the Backup app to make a backup of your layouts, then uninstall Freedom and soft reset your phone. Then you can install the newest version and restore your layouts. The menubars have been split into 2 type now, 'Smooth Scrolling' and 'Selectable Pages'. Layouts can be backed up and restored to any menubar within the same type but not from 1 type to the other.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] latersooner:
hi,dont forget your HVGA boy,you should be fare enough with all your boys:)
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
That makes me sound like a pimp HAHA ;)

I havent forgotten HVGA phones dont worry :)

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] GEX THE GECKO:
The taskbarz a pure eyesore they should have made it optional or atleast transparant
[Windows Mobile Themes] nrfitchett4:
I'm curious to see what you will come up with for spb ms5...
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Thats if its even released to the public. Spb are saying they may only let carriers and manufacturers have it to put in new phones..

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] ironhead65:
Mark,

Maybe I missed it, but when I was messing with your stuff, is there a way to get the "jump" to bar, but also be able to set my own icons below the bar? I realize I can't change the shortcuts to be anything BUT spb stuff, so I typically use what Vost calls the invisible 2 menubar. This is a bar that only has two REALLY SMALL icons to indicate the carousal and "settings". Then I just place 3 shortcuts in the middle.

Or if the bar was on "top" instead of "bottom" (I did not try this option), however without any icons? I also did not think to try to put the "jump" bar only, then just put my shortcuts in there. If I do this, can I still access the carousal and "settings"? Or do I need to add shortcuts for those?

I'm also guessing, 7 is the only choice? I can not choose 3 panels?

Thanks!

--Ironhead
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
I created the 'Selectable Pages' MenuBars with 7 pages as it gives people more than enough space to put everything they want on while still being able to select the pages without any trouble. Unfortunately you cant set the number of pages you want so it has to be 7.

Vos's invisible 2 MenuBar (or my Ultimate Menubar) has the open space at the bottom with the carousel and menu buttons on either side. My Ultimate V2 Menubar is the same but the carousel and menu buttons are hidden (while still being selectable) just to make the screen look cleaner. You wouldnt want to put any icons ontop of the invisible buttons though as the carousel and menu buttons will always be on top regardless. Also with the Ultimate V2 menubar you can have the carousel and menu buttons at the top of the screen or the bottom, or you can delete the buttons completely and just bring the buttons back if needed. Of course these are all 'Smooth Scrolling' MenuBars and you cant use them if you want to jump to specific pages or have continuous scrolling.

There is also the ProPlus Desire MenuBar in the 'Smooth Scrolling' set which has 3 buttons (carousel, spb menu OR contacts, and menu) with space on either side of the menubar for a shortcut of your choice.

With the 'Selectable Pages' MenuBar you have some different choices:

ProPlus Ultimate Elegance will give you the 7 selectable pages buttons right at the bottom with a carousel and menu button on either side. This takes up hardly any space so you can make up your own set of buttons just above the MenuBar. If you want the same set of buttons on every pages then you will have to set them up individually though.

ProPlus Elegance will give you a 3 button menubar at the bottom with the carousel and menu buttons either side, and then the selectable pages bar above it which you can set to be small or large depending on how good you are with your fingers. With Elegance the Spb Menu and Contacts buttons are hard set (but you can change the options for these 2 buttons in the menu) and the middle button can be set by yourself (I think you can choose between the Today Screen, Task Manager, Agenda, and Weather). These will be the same on all pages as they are part of the MenuBar.

Lastly you have ProPlus Droid which gives you the 7 selectable pages, with the spb menu and contacts buttons underneath and carousel and menu buttons at the sides. I personally prefer this MenuBar as it looks beautiful, its clean, small footprint and looks like the htc android menubar (but mine has 2 buttons in the middle so its better).

Those are pretty much all your options I hope you understand the different MenuBars a bit better now :)

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] ironhead65:
Mark,

Yes, thanks for the information. Looks like if I want to pursue this, I'll need to use the ProPlus Ultimate Elegance, then place icons above that.

I guess I'll have to think about my setup, as I really don't know what I'd do with the other pages at this time.

With this, I noticed that I if I am on page 7, I can swipe to the right, and I end up on 1. That is really nice! I have a question, can I add a shortcut button that can jump me to a page? Or, is the only way through your jump-menubar?

I.e. I am thinking, I can setup my 3 pages the same way I have them now, BUT instead of swipe from page 3 to 1, I can just tap a shortcut (at least until I figure out what else I can use the other pages for).

Thanks!!

--Ironhead
[Windows Mobile Themes] mskip:
Yes with the 'Selectable Pages' MenuBars you can add a shortcut link on any page to jump straight to any other page.

I only populate 5 pages (2: Lifestyle, 3: Business, 4 (center): HomeScreen, 5: Shortcuts, 6: Games) but its always useful to have an extra couple of free screens if you ever need them.

Mark.
[Windows Mobile Themes] ironhead65:
Mark,

Thanks!

--Ironhead