TodayPlus Boards v2

TodayPlus for the Pocket PC Forums => Help and Support => Topic started by: dean on November 30, 2003, 03:25:23 PM

Title: dumb question
Post by: dean on November 30, 2003, 03:25:23 PM
What is today plus?
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: Nielsracing on November 30, 2003, 05:31:12 PM
Quote from: deanWhat is today plus?

Uhm, I don't say this often, but yes, it's a very stupid question.
There are a lot of threads about this program, with screenshots etc. so take a look at it. And you will see that it gives you weather forecasts, quick launcher sections, etc. etc.
Title: dumb question
Post by: Eitel on November 30, 2003, 06:37:28 PM
There are no stupid questions.  Just stupid answers.   :wink:
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: dean on November 30, 2003, 10:19:57 PM
Quote from: Nielsracing
Quote from: deanWhat is today plus?

Uhm, I don't say this often, but yes, it's a very stupid question.
There are a lot of threads about this program, with screenshots etc. so take a look at it. And you will see that it gives you weather forecasts, quick launcher sections, etc. etc.

Well-Excuse me!!

I just did not have alot of time and ran across this site. I thought it looked very interesting. Since I did not have time to "take a look at it", I thought I would just ask.
Sorry for bothering you. :x  :(
Title: dumb question
Post by: arbitrajeu on December 01, 2003, 05:37:35 AM
Quote from: EitelThere are no stupid questions.  Just stupid answers.   :wink:
I'm not sure I agree 100%, but I know where you are coming from, I guess.

The question was a little more lazy than stupid - as nielsracing pointed out there are many posts here and only a small investment of time would have given a good indication of what TodayPlus has to offer.  Perhaps we can cater for others finding TodayPlus for the first time with a new FAQ.
Title: dumb question
Post by: Nielsracing on December 01, 2003, 07:10:33 AM
Quote from: arbitrajeu
Quote from: EitelThere are no stupid questions.  Just stupid answers.   :wink:
I'm not sure I agree 100%, but I know where you are coming from, I guess.

The question was a little more lazy than stupid - as nielsracing pointed out there are many posts here and only a small investment of time would have given a good indication of what TodayPlus has to offer.  Perhaps we can cater for others finding TodayPlus for the first time with a new FAQ.

That's exactly what I ment. And the FAQ idea, that's great too.

QuoteWell-Excuse me!!

I just did not have alot of time and ran across this site. I thought it looked very interesting. Since I did not have time to "take a look at it", I thought I would just ask.
Sorry for bothering you.  

I'm not bothered at all, as arbitrajeu mentioned, maybe you could find out more about Todayplus in a couple of minutes. But, if I made you upset, I'm sorry about that.
Title: dumb question
Post by: paqque on December 01, 2003, 11:45:38 AM
Dean,

Sorry - I'm sure no offense was meant.  We are a growing group of individuals who come from wildly diverse backgrounds but share an unexplainably intense desire to help the TodayPlus developer ('srs') test and evolve his TodayPlus Today screen plug-in.  The concept and initial application development has roots in a BrightHand forum (see http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85179&highlight=todayplus) and then matured into its own website (see http://www.dark-mojo.com/TodayPlus - thanks Eitel!).  TodayPlus is developed and shared by srs as free beta software, and should be installed and used accordingly!  Please consider joining us!

(I think this thread is reason enough for us to consider adding a short paragraph linked from somewhere on the forum Index page that describes the background and vision of TodayPlus (maybe a FAQ link?).  Alternatively, can we come up with a one or two sentence description that can then be posted under the "TodayPlus" page header on this site's main page?)

Essentially, the developer, srs, has created a very unique and powerful plug-in for a PocketPC today screen that is completely skinnable.  Srs somehow manages to find the time to develop and release comprehensive TodayPlus software updates and encourages users to participate in searching for defects, submitting enhancements, and developing customizable front-end 'skins'.  This beta level test&release activity outgrew Brighthand and resulted in the active community on this website forum.

The TodayPlus plug-in allows you to customize the appearance of typical today screen agenda information but additionally features separately controlled sceen topics such as weather forecasts, news feeds, program launcher, calendar views, and world timezone clocks.  

The power of TodayPlus is provided by the tight and robust todayplus.exe features, but is truly enabled and appreciated through the skinning capability.  The developer bundles in a couple of great default skins that many of us use, but we are fortunate to have a small army of very creative and technically-savvy artists/engineers who have dedicated a lot of time to create and share additional skins.  Skins have been developed that can either completely replace all existing today screen sections/plug-ins or that can insert specific plug-in features.  These skins can be further personalized by the user, and the skinning authors, much like the example set by the TodayPlus developer, solicit ideas and corrections to further improve the products.

Check out the forum index (see http://www.dark-mojo.com/TodayPlus/ to see further descriptions of cababilities, skins, bug reports and suggested enhancements, as well as answers to any questions that you'd like to post!
Title: dumb question
Post by: blatty on December 01, 2003, 12:22:42 PM
I'm curious why someone would register in a forum without knowing what the forum was for?

:?:
Title: dumb question
Post by: Alf on December 01, 2003, 12:43:02 PM
I guess there's no need to argue and that Dean's got the point : when you get on to this forum for the first time, it takes you to make your way to the info in order to understand what it's all about  :roll:
(I ended up here because I'm always looking for new stuff, and usually I surf http://www.pocketpcfreewares.com ---great job Grazu BTW--- a site that sums-up features & benefits + review the software : so I had a pretty good idea of what it's all about)

BTW, thanks paqque for the explanation, it should be displayed up-front to visitors maybe.  :idea:

As for registering blatty, isn't it the only way to post on the forum ?  :?

Dean, welcome ! I hope you'll fancy using TodayPlus as much as we all do. Please access the changelog section, download the latest release and enjoy, if you're not yet there  :wink:  !
Title: dumb question
Post by: dean on December 01, 2003, 07:55:31 PM
I am sorry for being so defensive. I just thought that was a rude way to greet a brand new member. I am not a lazy person either.
Let me explain. I was surfing looking for some fun things for my Dell Axim. As I was about to leave, I found this site and really couldn't find anything that explained exactly what it was. I saw downloads for weather, ect. I thought it was something really interesting, so I just asked.
Well, I had to join the forum in order to ask. Maybe I should have waited until I had more time to check it out. Then again, that is no way to greet a visitor. I think FAQ would be great. I agree with Alf. It should be explained up front for visitors. That way, when coming across this site, one may think it someting worth joining the forum for. To learn more and share ideas.  :wink:

paqque-Thank you for taking the time to explain what today plus is all about. I am going to give it a try. I am new with the ppc stuff, and do not know much. I just found out what skinning was the other day. Thank you.

Thank you all for your time.
Title: dumb question
Post by: paqque on December 01, 2003, 11:07:28 PM
Quote from: deanpaqque-Thank you for taking the time to explain what today plus is all about. I am going to give it a try. I am new with the ppc stuff, and do not know much. I just found out what skinning was the other day. Thank you.

Thank you all for your time.

dean:  You are welcome!  Some of us are new to this as well, so you'll fit right in.  Folks like Eitel and arbitrajeu will have you customizing skins before Christmas!  :)

Eitel:  Any chance we can find a way to post either a FAQ link or a brief welcome/introductory description somewhere on the main index page?   :?:
Title: dumb question
Post by: arbitrajeu on December 02, 2003, 04:21:28 AM
Quote from: paqqueEitel:  Any chance we can find a way to post either a FAQ link or a brief welcome/introductory description somewhere on the main index page?   :?:
I've got a task on my todo list for today (hopefully) to take paqque's excellent work above and construct a post for the FAQs thread, possibly including a couple of screenshots.  If Eitel can find a way to make it prominent on the main page, perhaps we can just link to it.
Title: My 2euro cents
Post by: Alf on December 02, 2003, 04:30:31 AM
Just my 2 euro cents :
is it ok to create a new entry in the forum index, say at the top of general discussion, such as "TodayPlus : what is it ?"
People would see this at once when browsing

I get off my soap box ...

PS: I got that from the French forum, thanks to Grazu :wink:
Title: dumb question
Post by: paqque on December 02, 2003, 10:20:23 AM
Quote from: arbitrajeu...If Eitel can find a way to make it prominent on the main page, perhaps we can just link to it.
Sounds perfect, arbitrajeu.  Thank you!

--Paqque
Title: dumb question
Post by: argh2000 on December 05, 2003, 09:33:43 AM
Hi Guys, I've read the threads posted here and I'm impressed by this Todayplus program.I'm really keen to create my own todayplus but do not know where to start.I've downloaded the sw and installed in to my ppc.The problem is that I'm bad in program language, I really need someone to guide me like a baby starting to crawl and then walk.
I'm using an XDA II ppc.Just bought it 2 days ago(My first PPC) and am still new in this world of PPC.
will this sw works with other sw like batterypack 2004 , animated today?

how can I combined all this together?

Will anyone of you guys kind enough to guide me ?

I'll be much greatful.  :oops:

thanks to anyone whom read this thread. :)
Title: dumb question
Post by: Eddy on December 05, 2003, 10:44:30 AM
argh2000,

I was only here 3 days ago, and I am playing/tweaking the skin I downloaded already.

I don't think you need any programming language experience to get started, look at the threads, download the skin that you liked (from the screen shot people posted) and try to change the basic information first, like owner's information, your home city, etc. and ask "specific" questions when you don't know what to do, check back within an hour  :D it's very likely someone would post a suggestion already.

Welcome. ~Eddy
Title: dumb question
Post by: argh2000 on December 05, 2003, 10:55:43 AM
thanks Eddy,

I've tried editing myself from the config.txt change the skin.txt and also the postal number for my home weather.

then I start the program.But wat I see is only white display..

is there somethingwrong with wat I did so far??
Title: dumb question
Post by: Eddy on December 05, 2003, 11:11:28 AM
argh2000,

QuoteI've tried editing myself from the config.txt change the skin.txt and also the postal number for my home weather.

then I start the program.But wat I see is only white display..
are you saying you see a white display popup from whatever background you are using?

if you are using other today plug-ins, it might be useful to stop all other plug-ins and turn on TD+ only to test, then turn the plug-ins back on one at a time.

IMHO, once you start getting used to TD+, you don't need any other Today Plug-ins (like Battery meter, etc.)

hope this help, ~Eddy
Title: Suggestion
Post by: paqque on December 05, 2003, 01:55:03 PM
Quote from: argh2000I've tried editing myself from the config.txt change the skin.txt and also the postal number for my home weather.  then I start the program.But wat I see is only white display.
argh2000,

First rule out anything obvious by installing and using TodayPlus without making any customization changes:
If it doesn't work, post a note here in the Help&Support forum.

If it does work:Make a change/Test a change, where each individual skin/config file change is applied and then checked to confirm that the software continues to work properly.
3.  Follow Eddy's excellent advice!   :)   [/list]
Title: Re: Suggestion
Post by: argh2000 on December 05, 2003, 09:55:44 PM
Quote from: paqque
Quote from: argh2000I've tried editing myself from the config.txt change the skin.txt and also the postal number for my home weather.  then I start the program.But wat I see is only white display.
argh2000,

First rule out anything obvious by installing and using TodayPlus without making any customization changes:
    1.  De-select TodayPlus from the Today screen.
    2.  Uninstall TodayPlus.
    3.  Ensure that \Programs\TodayPlus is deleted.
    4.  Perform a soft reset.
    5.  Re-install TodayPlus using the original .cab file.
    6.  Verify that TodayPlus functions normally without making changes to either the skin (slider.txt) or the config file(config.txt).
If it doesn't work, post a note here in the Help&Support forum.

If it does work:
    1.  Copy a backup version of slider.txt (or your preferred skin) and config.txt to a 2nd location.
    2.  Customize the skin and config file as desired.  Until you are comfortable with applying these configuration changes, it might be a good idea to follow the old standard of
Make a change/Test a change, where each individual skin/config file change is applied and then checked to confirm that the software continues to work properly.
3.  Follow Eddy's excellent advice!   :)   [/list]


thanks guys.You all are great!
Within minutes I manage to get todayplus works on my PPC.
I've downloaded"Recombinant Skin" and ammend a little bit of the programme.It works perfectly.

the only things now is that I'm really keen on learning how to create my own skin.Where can I begin with, any advice from u guys?

:)
thanks a million!!
Title: dumb question
Post by: Eddy on December 06, 2003, 08:48:16 AM
argh2000,

Quotethe only things now is that I'm really keen on learning how to create my own skin.Where can I begin with, any advice from u guys?
instead of creating your own skin from scratch, I would suggest to get a skin that you liked and start tweaking with you. you would learned what each command is for, and what their effects are, and before you know it, you would have your own modified skin, then if you want, you can create your own skin and posted it here.

Thanks!

~Eddy
Title: dumb question
Post by: argh2000 on December 06, 2003, 11:36:00 PM
Hi Eddy,

thanks for the reply.I think I will just follow your advice. :)
Title: Re: Suggestion
Post by: paqque on December 07, 2003, 05:08:12 PM
Quote from: argh2000Within minutes I manage to get todayplus works on my PPC.
I've downloaded"Recombinant Skin" and ammend a little bit of the programme.It works perfectly.

the only things now is that I'm really keen on learning how to create my own skin.Where can I begin with, any advice from u guys?
Congratulations!  

I'll let those that know more about this provide the technical detail, but what helped me was to find a 'starter' skin that had the basic appearance I liked.  I then deleted sections that I didn't want and added sections from other skins that had something I liked.  I then started customizing, referring to posts from the Help & Support and New Skins/Graphics discussions.  There is a also a great deal of help in the FAQ, Tips and Tricks, and Reference Guides available within the forums.

If you have any problems, post your skin in the Help & Support forum with a description of the issue and a brief statement of what you want it to do.

Cheers!
Title: dumb question
Post by: argh2000 on December 08, 2003, 09:43:36 AM
Thanks Paqque,

I am currently trying to add in some stuff to my skin liking..Thanks you all.Been great here and TD+ is indeed a great sw!! :)