Related
Greetings to all,
Does anyone know how you swap the the vertical list of recently open programs in WM5 Start Menu (Buzz's 1.6b version) for the horizontal list? I know it is possible (as below; FYI I switched to landscape using True Toolbar)
In the registry I can find the list of recently used programs:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft|Shell\TaskSwitch
but I can't locate a registry or setting for how they are displayed (if indeed controlled via the registry). I'd thought about dumping the pre and post change registries and trying to compare them but I'm a newbie at this and the whole thing looks massive to try and spot changes visually.
Anybody take a stab as I'd like to be in portrait view but with a minimalised start menu. I've searched all hacks/tweaks/registries (forums and wiki) without success, perhaps someone out there may be able to help.
Suggestions very much appreciated.
Mallow1
did you get any other info on this hack??? I would really like to have my recent programs displayed in this manner rather than the other way.
Not yet... still looking without success
Guys, this is not a hack, this is what happens when you switch from Portrait to Landscape.
Cheers
Pat
Hi Pat (nee how ma?),
Thanks for your reply. A defined variable must be controlling the style toggling (horizontal v vertical list) and it looks just too binary a choice not to have a tweak (even an unknown one yet to be identified), especially since this used to be how the list was displayed back in earlier versions of WM (even when in portrait). Yep I'm completely guessing that there's a tweak, but if you don't ask/ try you don't find out. If not, Buzz may be able to code it in as one in his next version of WM5 if this thread generates enough interest. Do you speak with authority on this or were you simply commenting?
The other approach I'm exploring is via the latest WisBar Advanced beta. When switching from portrait to landscape instead of producing a horizontal list of icons only (my desired outcome), it groups the list into a vertical submenu (variation on a theme). Therefore since I'm a WA user achieving it there is equally valid for me (if not more desireable). I'm awaiting feedback from Lakeridge (though the beta developers have far greater priorities developing WA2 to run more smoothly under WM5 so I'm not holding my breath just yet).
Regards - Mallow1
Moneyharp is the only expense tracker for Windows Mobile with finger-friendly interface!
It is full-featured, stand-alone personal money management application for day-to-day use.
You can find full description and how-to at moneyharp.com
Prerequisites: .NET Compact Framework 1.1 or greater, touchscreen.
DOWNLOAD: attached
This is the very first test release.
I wrote this app also as a test of some interface and usablility ideas - PLEASE POST YOUR FEEDBACK, I'm eager to hear it.
Screenshot :
{
"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"
}
thanks for sharing the app
how do i install this on the hd2
installation
You can download file to your PC and then copy it to HD2 storage through ActiveSync or card reader; or, you can download file directly to device using HD2 web browser.
Here's the link: moneyharp.com/content/moneyharp.cab
[as a new user I'm not allowed to post links, please copy-paste them]
Then browse to downloaded file on the device and double-click it - choose where to install (storage footprint is 0.5MB, so "Main Memory" should be ok), press "ok".
There's also an illustrated guide here: wmexperts.com/articles/howto/how_to_install_uninstall_and_t.html
Please let me know if there are any issues.
it not work on wvga device
Doesn't work on Touch HD , the installation went fine but the program just wouldn't start, it tries to start you can see the hour glass turning but it just doesn't start.
Hi moneyharp,
I have tried little on moneyharp and i already like it. It is completely finger friendly, fast and easy to enter expenses and incomes along with setting up the budget. However there are few things that i noted:
1. After the installation, the program doesnt have an icon
2. It is finger friendly but not user friendly. This could be because i am comparing it with winmoFinance and easy expenses
3. I dont like the color scheme
4. i like application which i can scroll up and down with touchflo. With moneyharp you need to press the up and down key for that. With touchflo, you can remove these two keys and have more space on the screen
5. you can move the list and summary in menu. This will allow more space on screen as currently user can see only 4 items on one screen. Personally i would like the screen to be used maximum to see the entry rather than buttons
6. There should be an option to add notes.
7. As an end user, i would like to capture date and not time in a expense
8. User should have the option to import or export settings or move them to a different location so that in case system crashes or user hard resets phone, the data is saved.
I will use moneyhard couple of days and post my feedback. You are doing a great job. Keep it up. I am looking forward to the next release.
Hi chautruong:
Can you please specify - does it crash, or just does not start, or..?
Hi zjxpot:
Can anyone having Touch HD confirm that moneyharp has an issue with this device?
Meanwhile, I will test in WVGA emulator.
Hi jaskiratsingh:
1. In next release. Just have to draw it.
2. I have tried several expenses apps myself, but tried to write moneyharp as if it was my invention - some concepts really differ. But that doesn't mean I was right. What irritates you most?
3. The skins feature is already there - I will post the skin config file and instructions how to change it shortly.
4. I tried to avoid any device-specific features (in fact, moneyharp doesn't even use hardware buttons). But I am considering some gestures support.
5. I see. But then: - which view (list or summary) do you use more often?
- where to put current balance?
6. My idea was tags should be used for that - than you can generate reports on them. But maybe this is too constrained.
7. You can skip setting time part altogether. If more people are irritated with that, I will leave date only.
8. Backup/restore - in next release. Meanwhile, you can copy config.stor, main1.stor and main2.stor files from program directory to backup location.
Thank you very much for feedback! Please keep on - I need it.
well so far its pretty good,i just wanted a app that i could keep track of what's in the bank and every time i make a transaction i could post it and it will tell me how much i have left and so far that's what this is doing. but there is no icon pic on the app and when k first installed it it told me to install another app so this one could work better,do youknow about that
sorry. i didn't explain exactly. it run fine on my htc touch hd but not full screen (may be it support wga screen only?)
Nice apps!
Some comments:
1. It seems that there is not Unicod support - Cyrillic letters seen as ???
2. Autoserach in category - when you have long list, it is annoying to scroll. Can you make window for text entering using keyboard (with autocomplete function)?
3. PC companion would be great
4. Account groups would be useful
5. On WVGA screen there is empty space at the bottom
6. Export from Cashorg and other application
Maybe some inspiration
Cheers for the app so far.
Looking forward to seeing this develop.
My friend showed me an app called Money book on her iBone. What was a nice feature is that once you'd added some things to its various categories you could turn the phone to landscape and it was show a bar chart of how much you'd spent in each category (for that month).
You could maybe set periods (e.g. between pay day and the next) so that you could analyse expenditure during that period, ideally graphically like the above idea.
All the best with it!
Ian
Hi jkiller122:
- next release will have icon
- you're probably talking about .NET framework - moneyharp requires that to run. But in Windows Mobile you should already have it installed.
Hi again chautruong:
yes, I can see it in emulator too. Finding out where's the problem now.
Hi landau:
1. yes, currently Western European encoding is used. Will try to fully adopt Unicode in next release.
2. When you have really long list (>100) and keep the button pressed, it starts to accelerate the scroll (jump 5 at a time). Also, if you use some categories often, put a space in front of its name - it will appear on top of the list.
3. After next release
4. I just disabled that, because I was not sure as to how count group account balance in total balance (omit it? omit accounts in group?) Can you please describe the use case scenario for that?
5. yes, looking at it now (see reply to chautruong)
6. Which format do you use to export from Cashorg (OFX/QFX...)? Also, some details will be lost if you import to moneyharp - e.g. it doesn't have check numbers.
Hi otherworld:
- have you tried the reports (menu>Reports)?
Thank you for your feedback! Keep it coming!
moneyharp said:
Hi jaskiratsingh:
1. In next release. Just have to draw it.
2. I have tried several expenses apps myself, but tried to write moneyharp as if it was my invention - some concepts really differ. But that doesn't mean I was right. What irritates you most?
3. The skins feature is already there - I will post the skin config file and instructions how to change it shortly.
4. I tried to avoid any device-specific features (in fact, moneyharp doesn't even use hardware buttons). But I am considering some gestures support.
5. I see. But then: - which view (list or summary) do you use more often?
- where to put current balance?
6. My idea was tags should be used for that - than you can generate reports on them. But maybe this is too constrained.
7. You can skip setting time part altogether. If more people are irritated with that, I will leave date only.
8. Backup/restore - in next release. Meanwhile, you can copy config.stor, main1.stor and main2.stor files from program directory to backup location.
Thank you very much for feedback! Please keep on - I need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Moneyharp,
Please find few comments below:
1. sorting option i.e. ascending date or descending date order
2. if user changes the date, in next transaction the system date should populate instead of chosen date by the user
3. Add a transaction and in Income/Expense: Expense is populated. User can save the transaction, which shouldnt be allowed. This should be Blank and user should be forced to populate income/expense
4. For better UI, as per me,you can remove the time in list view and add income/expense type in same line. Check attachment
In response to backup/restore, what i meant was that the files that contain data should be at a different location say /Storage Card/Expenses and application can point and pick and save data there.
I use the list view mostly. You can keep views : list and summary in menu. You can leave current balance at the bottom or move the current balance at the top
Hi jaskiratsingh
1. moneyharp always sorts records by date in ascending order, and initial position is in the end of the list, so that you see latest entries. An option could be to show either top or bottom of the list (first or last records) - ?
2. The idea was that in one session date is likely to be the same - e.g. you enter transactions for yesterday. moneyharp just repeats the date from last entered transaction in current program usage session.
What are others thinking of that?
3. I didn't want to be too restrictive. User should understand that if he wants full and descriptive reports later, he should fill in all the data. But what if he/she is interested only in some categories or payees tracking - e.g. I want to know how much went to some payee, but no matter the purpose. From my experience, you can't foresee all scenarios, and too many constraints limit them.
4. You have really thought and elaborated on UI options - very impressive!
Still, priority and one of stem ideas in moneyharp is finger-friendly UI. If transaction entries are half the current height, it will be not so comfortable to tap them with your finger (most devices still have touchscreens far from ideal). Also, I noticed that you don't use Payee field - that is why it could fit in 1 line.
That said, you don't tap and edit transactions often - so maybe it's ok to make them narrow.
I invite others to share their opinion!
Option to change the files location - already in list for next release.
Again thank you very much - you provide very qualified and creative review!
Hi moneyharp,
I hard reset my phone and after reinstallation i copied config.stor, main1.stor and main2.stor. Started the application. All the transaction are back but the total is not displayed. Kindly check
Hi jaskiratsingh
Total is 0 or not displayed at all? Are you able to send me some screenshot?
Thank you.
moneyharp said:
Hi jaskiratsingh
Total is 0 or not displayed at all? Are you able to send me some screenshot?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Total was not displayed at all.
I checked now and it is being displayed. Previously, I restarted the ppc couple of times because of installation of applications.
No clue on what happened.
My total was a five figure number.
Just installed to have a look and see how this compares to Cash Organizer, which I use currently.
A few comments that I have initially is the MoneyHarp are:
MoneyHarp doesn't seem to handle screen rotation well. Seems to use the screen height when started to scale the application resolution. This make it very small when started with my keyboard extended and the screen landscape. The application doesn't alter the resolution when switching orientations, so when I slide the keyboard in and switch to a portrait screen the right side of the app is off the screen.
Expect to be able to scroll any of the lists and not have to use the up/down arrows to navigate the menus, etc.
Would also like to be able to have dates shown based on the date style set in the OS or at least have the option to set month before date in the app. Most dates show as I have set in the OS, but when altering the date on transaction entry, it has day before month/year. I would prefer to have month, then day, then year and I'm not sure I would set a specific time ever.
One thing I really like about Cash Organizer is the shortcut they have for adding a new transaction. I map that shortcut to a hardware key and it speeds up entry while on the go. With definitely improves the accuracy of my account balances, since I don't forget to enter later.
MoneyHarp also covers up the bottom bar, which I wouldn't expect. An option to not hide would be appreciated.
MoneyHarp doesn't respond to the back key. Should be able to hit the back key and minimize the app.
I will keep testing more and report back what I find.
Looking very nice so far and keep up the great work.
Hi SinisterJunkie
- I deliberately use portrait orientation only, so when started in portrait it's ok. However, scaling problem in landscape you describe is a bug. I will do my best to correct/workaround this problem in next release, so that it is scaled correctly and you just need to turn it if started in landscape.
- I have this on my list, but next release probably won't include gestures yet.
- I use Windows setting throughout, but in date control it is fixed. Change month and day positions depending on OS setting - noted.
- CashOrg have a separate application for speed entry. I wanted to avoid that and make the main app speedy enough - so you can map a button to moneyharp app, and 'add new' is just 1 click away!
- Since moneyharp has it's own keyboard (or you can switch to standard keys in Options), I didn't think it to be a problem... User's habits greatly differ though. Can you describe the "use case" - how do you use bottom bar while in moneyharp?
- Hitting it will shut down the application on any screen, while on some devices users would expect it to act like 'ok' when e.g. entering transaction and that will frustrate them. I decided to steer away from hardware-dependent functions, at least in first release.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts! Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Platform: Windows Mobile (Tested on 6.5.x)
Overview: A simple Check List application
* Organized by Categories
* New / Modify / Delete Category
* New / Modify / Delete Item
* Move Item to Vault / Restore Item from Vault
* Touch friendly
* Included Desktop Companion (PC application)
* No Master Lists!
* No Descriptions / Notes
* No Quantities
* No Item Pictures
* No Prices
* Without many functions and options
JUST A FRIENDLY CHECKLIST!
Download (old) 1.1 VGA version
Download 2.1 (W)VGA version
Download Desktop Companion version 2.1
Changelog v2.0 :
- Fixed the WVGA resolution.
- The Splash Screen was Changed.
- The user can change the order of the Categories / Items
- Settings Panel added
- The Program now can keep the Backlight On (option)
- The user can change the Item (list) height (option)
- The user can change the Text size (option)
- The user can enable/disable the message dialogs (option)
- The user can enable/disable the splash screen (option)
- The database is saved only if changes detected.
- The graphic files was retouched.
- Many minor bug fixes.
Changelog v2.1 :
- added gray boxes
- fixed category problem
- fixed minus problem (-)
- Marks by default the first Category
- Marks by default the first Item in the selected category
- Many minor bug fixes.
First Impressions
I just discovered this app and thought I'd leave my first impressions. Here goes...
At first go it's just what I've been looking for: a simple checklist app. It seems to be just that. I wouldn't say it's immediately intuitive, but with some messing around I picked up the basic routine. As with all things, with a little more playing around it will become 2nd nature. You should be aware, however, that the screen doesn't render properly in landscape (my phone is a TP2 [WVGA] see details in sig). As such, I couldn't confirm compatibility with the hard keyboard on my device.
Also, something to consider for future development, would be a way to create a link for a specific list that can be placed in one's calendar/appt editor. This probably takes away from the simplicity aspect, but that would be really slick!
I'll play with it some more throughout the week, but for simplicity's sake I like what you've put together -- at least on 1st impressions. Thanks for sharing!
thank you very much for your comments
Dadi68 said:
Platform: Windows Mobile (Tested on 6.5.x)
Overview: A simple Check List application
* No Master Lists!
* No Descriptions / Notes
* No Quantities
* No Item Pictures
* No Prices
* Without many functions and options
JUST A FRIENDLY CHECKLIST!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...really simple, really friendly ... but: that is what I really need, it's quick, it's easy....it's GREAT (you're right: keep it simple!!!)
It works on HD2, no prob with keyboard...
I hope, that you are buying soon a new device, to develop a WVGA-Version...aäh, whats about a wrap-up or second row for longer entrys ?
THX and greetz
fast_zorro said:
...really simple, really friendly ... but: that is what I really need, it's quick, it's easy....it's GREAT (you're right: keep it simple!!!)
It works on HD2, no prob with keyboard...
I hope, that you are buying soon a new device, to develop a WVGA-Version...aäh, whats about a wrap-up or second row for longer entrys ?
THX and greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do u want to be a beta tester of the 1.2 version? (its wvga compatible - i hope)
Thanks to fast_zorro's valuable help, a WVGA version is coming!
ETA : this weekend
short video for the app
...9.....8....7.....6....
..thanks god, it's friday....
fast_zorro said:
..thanks god, it's friday....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good morning dear beta tester
Today I will make a new version of the desktop companion and tomorrow morning I will release the full package
Im thinking to add an "enable single tap" option but i dont know because its not so friendly...
Anywayz, I will send you the released package via email - megaupload
Have a nice Friday people!
Dadi68 said:
Today I will make a new version of the desktop companion and tomorrow morning I will release the full package
Im thinking to add an "enable single tap" option but i dont know because its not so friendly...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May I leave some friendly feedback?
(I'm going to assume you said "yes"...)
First of all, allow me to repeat that this is a great little app. Simple and useful. Further, you have shared it with us freely, and I'm the first to acknowledge "beggars can't be choosy." With this in mind, I offer the following...
The boot time is too slow. One would think that given how light-weight this app is, it should load much like an immediate toggle on/toggle off application. While you're deserving of the credit appearing in your 'welcome'/'boot' screen, perhaps eliminating this feature would speed the load time? Even if it would not speed the load, I would like to see the Category menu straight away without an extra screen to pass through.
Second, it would be nice if Categories, and not just Items, could be saved to the vault. (Am I missing something?) It would be nice to create a simple template to the vault, then be able to copy a version to the active menu which could be applied as needed. Make sense?
Lastly, would it be possible to move the command bar down a centimeter or so? That way 4 full Category/Item panels could be visible w/o having to scroll up/down. I understand it's placed to accommodate ergonomic thumb usage, but to see 4 full Item panels, as opposed to 3 1/2, would be worth the slight stretch...
I'm really looking forward to a WVGA version as I'll be able to use the keyboard on my TP2, which would make this even MORE useful!
Once again, many thanks!!!
p.s. - There's also a couple of spelling errors in the menu guides. 'Aproove' comes to mind right off. ('Approve' is correct) However, your English is far superior to my Greek, so I have no room to criticize...
Minnesinger said:
May I leave some friendly feedback?
(I'm going to assume you said "yes"...)
First of all, allow me to repeat that this is a great little app. Simple and useful. Further, you have shared it with us freely, and I'm the first to acknowledge "beggars can't be choosy." With this in mind, I offer the following...
The boot time is too slow. One would think that given how light-weight this app is, it should load much like an immediate toggle on/toggle off application. While you're deserving of the credit appearing in your 'welcome'/'boot' screen, perhaps eliminating this feature would speed the load time? Even if it would not speed the load, I would like to see the Category menu straight away without an extra screen to pass through.
The boot time is extremely slow... Its not my fault... This programming language is slow (even a "Hello world" takes 3-4 secs to load)
In the new version you have the option to disable the splash screen
Second, it would be nice if Categories, and not just Items, could be saved to the vault. (Am I missing something?) It would be nice to create a simple template to the vault, then be able to copy a version to the active menu which could be applied as needed. Make sense?
Why you make your life so difficult?
Lastly, would it be possible to move the command bar down a centimeter or so? That way 4 full Category/Item panels could be visible w/o having to scroll up/down. I understand it's placed to accommodate ergonomic thumb usage, but to see 4 full Item panels, as opposed to 3 1/2, would be worth the slight stretch...
In the new version you can adjust the row height of the items/categories
I'm really looking forward to a WVGA version as I'll be able to use the keyboard on my TP2, which would make this even MORE useful!
Wait 30 minutes...
Once again, many thanks!!!
You r welcome my friend
p.s. - There's also a couple of spelling errors in the menu guides. 'Aproove' comes to mind right off. ('Approve' is correct) However, your English is far superior to my Greek, so I have no room to criticize...
Please help me to correct them... My English suck...
Maybe I will release the new version in Greek
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your post
Dimitris
Version 2.0 added at first post
Thanks to fast_zorro for his valuable help on the WVGA support
Minnesinger said:
May I leave some friendly feedback?
Second, it would be nice if Categories, and not just Items, could be saved to the vault. (Am I missing something?) It would be nice to create a simple template to the vault, then be able to copy a version to the active menu which could be applied as needed. Make sense?
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...not bad, I'm also think about this topic...but, keep in mind the important issue: "small and easy".
I think, these is the most benefit from this app, so any new features should be aware of this point before added.
(MASPWARE Checklist, as example, looks nice, but you could be very easily lost in categories and items in up to 4 stages of deep)
But you're right, there are some improvents possible - let's see, what others will say and give Dadi68 a chance to enjoy the summer before making a version 3.0...
fast_zorro said:
...not bad, I'm also think about this topic...but, keep in mind the important issue: "small and easy".
I think, these is the most benefit from this app, so any new features should be aware of this point before added.
(MASPWARE Checklist, as example, looks nice, but you could be very easily lost in categories and items in up to 4 stages of deep)
But you're right, there are some improvents possible - let's see, what others will say and give Dadi68 a chance to enjoy the summer before making a version 3.0...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahaha run DaDi RUNNNNNNNNN
2 weeks left for vacations guys
Ok, add categories to vault...
you mean an empty cateory or a category full of items?
I started to like that idea
Dadi68 said:
Ok, add categories to vault...
you mean an empty cateory or a category full of items?
I started to like that idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, a category full of items: a template. For example, a simple agenda template...
A template of the user's own design could be kept in the vault. In my case, there are occasions when I don't need to use a full appointment editor; I just need to keep a running list of contacts and times for any given day. Instead of retyping the time increments over and over, a blank agenda is always at the ready!
Although, this brings up another issue for me:
Whenever I attempt to edit one of the time slots on my agenda template, I get the warning seen in the pic above. I have the current-most NETCF v35 on my device, in addition to the NET CF v35 Messages.EN.wm .cab: am I missing anything? If I click 'yes' I'm able to continue and add a contact to a time slot, but the error message repeats with each edit.
Looking for ward to watching your app evolve -- Thanks!
Minnesinger said:
Yes, a category full of items: a template. For example, a simple agenda template...
A template of the user's own design could be kept in the vault. In my case, there are occasions when I don't need to use a full appointment editor; I just need to keep a running list of contacts and times for any given day. Instead of retyping the time increments over and over, a blank agenda is always at the ready!
Although, this brings up another issue for me:
Whenever I attempt to edit one of the time slots on my agenda template, I get the warning seen in the pic above. I have the current-most NETCF v35 on my device, in addition to the NET CF v35 Messages.EN.wm .cab: am I missing anything? If I click 'yes' I'm able to continue and add a contact to a time slot, but the error message repeats with each edit.
Looking for ward to watching your app evolve -- Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Replace the [-] with [...] and it will work fine!
About the Category -> Vault ...gimme some time, maybe next week
great tool - thats what i'm looking for. THX!!
Look nicely, I will try this program out.
Guys a beta 2.1 is out, that supports grayed checkboxes...
Im waiting for comments from my dear beta-tester
@Minnesinger : Can you help me by correcting spelling errors? To fix them before release the new version?
@All :
To Do:
1. Store full Categories (with items) into Vault [ NEXT WEEK ]
Have a beautiful weekend people!
Dadi68 said:
@Minnesinger : Can you help me by correcting spelling errors? To fix them before release the new version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, of course. I would be happy to. Check your PMs and I'll attach a Word document with a complete list. Although, from what I've observed there are only a few minor things...
I have a new Sprint Touch Pro 2 with 6.5 and 2.5, stock ROM. The Today screen works. However, as a smart phone, it really isn't usable as-is. There is a total of 9 quicklinks, and the start menu is a mess. If you move things in the start menu, you break the quicklinks, so best to leave things where they land. Whatever it is that works to organize the interface needs to show unread e-mails, voice mails, and texts on the home/today screen, and a link to contacts, not that lame people thing. I get around this with the stock interface by dropping people out of the slider and pointing one of the top quicklinks to contacts. When I click on a new text message from the slider, it's pretty clumsey if you ask me. I have to look around for delete all etc. Lots of mouse clicks. I've been looking around at the likely suspects and would value your input.
Edit:
1. SPB Mobile Shell 3.5: I installed it for the third time and worked with it. My impression is that it is more about personalization and special effects. My impression is the pieces are not logically woven together to create an environment. First there is the home tab, with exactly 3 home pages, one left, and one right. There are a collection widgets that I can put on them. Second, there is a launcher. The Launcher has some impressive graphics for launching things. However, is seems to represent their concept of organizing the Start Menu into folders. You can see them if you click on the Start Menu. To me, it was confusing. The third area is the Carousel. It is very nice idea for organizing things, but it's pretty much pre-defined. I won't be coming back here because it doesn't match my needs or organizing the many apps the way I want to. It's easy on memory, 42%.
2. I worked with iPhoneToday, today. It has things like voicemail, e-mail, texts, etc. on a bottom row which does not scroll, so the important stuff is always visible. It's perfect for organization. You can add home screens at will and even label then on the top. You can change programs and the tabs they use. You can point them at the .exes or the shortcuts in the Start menu. You change the icon spacing and even have them scale to get more on a line. It's the easiest on RAM coming in at 39%. From an appearance standpoint, they really try. True to it's name, it closely resembles the iPhone. (Rubic's Cube) It uses the same size square icons for everything from volume, battery, etc., to e-mail, texts, etc. It just puts a number on the cube. You look around a bit to find what you want. It would look pretty good to someone who hasn't seen Sense. There are not real docs. The basics your will figure out by simply guessing. The other types of formatting are not as straightforward as CHT. The best source I've found is the wiki http://iphonetoday.wikidot.com/the-menus and to ask questions on the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633618 where people have been very responsive and helpful. Before I tried it, I just thought it was for iPhone wanabes. Not so. Unlike Sense and Mobile Shell, it is in fact a very well thought out environment when you're looking to use your phone as a single device to organize your world.
3. CHT 2.0: Sense by itself doesn't make any sense. Since people have been hammering me to try CHT, I've been following the CHT threads, 1.85 and 2.0. Normally, it makes sense to go with the newer one because that is where development would be, but my concern is the new 2.0 seems to have worn out the Cookie Monster, and he would be too worn out to support it. However, I decided to try 2.0 since the he wrote every line was gone through and made squeaky clean, and he did stick around long enough to wean the product.
Of the hundreds of posts I read, many say it's pretty resource intensive, and not so good for multi-taskers. (Like me) That makes sense, since it adds functionality to the an already pretty good size Sense UI, so that became my expectation. I started thinking that if it adds say 10%, it would make sense that things would get shaky, pretty quickly. Thus it made sense to test before and after adding CHT. The percent RAM usage came in at exactly 52%, and remained there even after using it for awhile. Since iPhoneToday can be run inside Sense, I'm doing that now. What doesn't make sense is it only requires an additional 2% of RAM.
As for multi-tasking, I'm running out of porkers to load and I'm at 72%. (See attached images) After these screen shots I added Oprah and iPhoneToday, which is a UI on top of a UI. After playing around, I was able to get it to 77%. That's more apps than a 5 person office runs at a time. It still loads things fast. Initially, I thought scrolling perhaps was degraded slightly, but later I did before and after and even that wasn't affected. Maybe I don't have to worry.
As for the CHT UI, I read the User's Manual. It's only 12 pages, and 1/3 has to do with installing it. It's simple enough to where if you read it once to understand the paradigm it uses, you won't need to refer to again. I plan to run iPhoneToday inside of Sense/CHT and organize both to see which I like the best.
Edit It was tough to choose between Cookies Home Tab 2.0, AKA CHT 2.0, and iPhoneToday. You can't lose with either because the struggle is to pick the best of the best, rather than pick your poison. iPhoneToday is light, fast, and smooth. It would win if I were a fan of the iPhone interface, but I'm not a fan of anything except functionality and efficiency. In the end I went with Cookies Home Tab 2.0 for these reasons.
- It allows me to use widgets, and place them wherever I need.
- It allows me to place quicklinks called FreeLinks anywhere
- It allows me to have levels (scroll up and down) as well as pages (scroll side to side)
- If it doesn't support what you want directly, you can indirectly. Example: Let's say you want QuickLinks on all of your pages, line the iPhone, but not on the home screen where you have your clock weather. Just make the upper rows on your home screen invisible. Lets say you want one row of QuickLinks to be the same on every page. Simply pin them.
- There is no practical limitation that I've found as to how you arrange things. I can't say that about anything else I've tried.
- Configuration is easier to understand. The book is only 12 pages, 1/3 is install, another 1/3 is common sense, and the other 1/3 tells doesn't lead you step by step, it gives you the concept of operation. Because of that, once you read it, you'll never have to refer back to the manual.
I may not have gotten any help from the thread this time around, but other threads and people here have helped me plenty. Apparently, it was my turn to give back.
Enjoy!
PS: I also played with ThrottleLauncher and the WP7 clone. It didn't make the cut because its organizational capabilities are far too limited for someone like me (IT Architect) who has lots of apps. It's more for people who's life revolves around a close group of friends, music, and social networking. This is not a problem with ThrottleLauncher itself, but rather the design of the WP7 architecture. The real phone has the same problem.
Hi everyone, I'm a longtime lurker on this forum, but this is the first second thread I've opened. I've just begun studying at the university level, majoring in mechatronics systems engineering and minoring in computing science. I've done a lot of research in the area of music theory, and I discovered peculiar arrangement of musical notes which I call a "pitch-correct harmonic note table" (Google it for a higher resolution than the attached image; I'm too new to post links).
The concept has been explored in the past (see Wikipedia's harmonic note table layout) and the interesting thing about it is that it visually reveals how notes and chords are related to each other. My version, unlike every other one I've found, preserves the proper pitch spelling. A C minor chord, for example, is properly notated as C-Eb-G, not C-D#-G.
The table by itself can prove useful for those learning theory and composition, but right now it's just a picture. Here's where Android application development comes in. I hope to turn this picture into an interactive chord-generating device. It'd be like a guitar, except anyone can pick it up and create music with it, as the chords are easy to play and the relationships are obvious.
The application's general flow would go something like this: First, select a key signature (which positions the purple ribbon), time signature and tempo. Hold down the root of the desired chord. Slide your finger up to select its major chord or down to select its minor chord, and release. Press the root again to play the chord or press a different note (like the seventh) to play an extended chord. The chord will loop until you perform that last step again for a different chord (selecting another chord by touching and sliding does not interrupt the looping).
However, here's where my inexperience with development hinders my progress with this application. I've only taken one programming course and it was in C. I'm taking the Java course now but we're only going as far as the command line. I'm therefore at a loss as to where to begin. I have the SDK and Eclipse all set up and I have some basic ideas for how I would go about coding the notes, like using the "fifths" and "augmented" axes to create a rectangular grid instead of trying to use the hexagonal grid that the table is currently in. I'm probably going to end up creating a playChord() method with parameters for root, quality, extension, and bass. I'm not sure whether to use Canvas or OpenGL; I'm not sure whether to use JetPlayer or MediaPlayer, .mid's or .mp3's or .ogg's, or generate the chords on the fly; I'm not even sure how I'm going to voice the chords (though my Casio keyboard might be able to help with that).
Most of those issues I can worry about later though. For now I'm going to focus on creating something like a soundboard except more refined. This is why I looked to XDA - to give me an initial push in the right direction so I can avoid coding myself into a corner and having to start over. If you can give me any tips or advice, I'll greatly appreciate it. =)
Bump? =)