FloatMe - a stupid, but maybe usefull 'tool'

[_TB_TB_]

Hello!
After a looooooong and bloody battle between me and eMbedded Visual C++ 4 installer battle, I have written a simple tool: FloatMe. What does it do? Well, it changes the foreground window style (WS_STYLE) to something floating - see screenshots;)
http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/upload/floatme1.png
The windows can be moved and scaled; the [X] CLOSES the application (do NOT try closing the "Programs" window, or your CE shell will reboot)
http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/upload/floatme2.png
The resized window can have its original style restored WITHOUT resizing of the window - you can obtain something like above. In order to restore - run FloatMe again.

To download: http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/index.php?plik=floatme.zip&op=get
no-close-button version: http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/index.php?plik=FloatMe_noclose.zip&op=get
CAB version: http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/index.php?plik=floatme_cab.zip&op=get

Coding of it took me about 10 minuts, but the results are funny...

14.11.2006 - Update:
http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/upload/floatme1_a.png
Minimize and maximize icons. They work normally, are not initially drawn, howver. To see thwem on screen - tap and move the stylus off the button without releasing.

PS - set one of your HW buttons to FloatMe

[CWKJ]

Wow. Cool.

How is this compare to Vijay's uncompleted version?

Will try and feedback!

CE Shell reboot = soft reset?

What is the difference between close & no close?

Update Version from _TB_TB_ on page 2
Use this CAB:
http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/index.php?plik=floatme_cab.zip&op=get

[vijay555]

Probably a similar idea, and curiously, same name I used on my app when I was coding it (the GSFinder bar in the top left) :)

http://www.vijay555.com/vj/screenshots/vjsihaya/sihayascreenshot3.jpg

VJSihaya is on pause because I want to integrate some other usability features - changing window styles to floating is not difficult, but turning that into something like an OS shell/desktop replacement requires lots of other features :( I did some work this weekend that will hopefully move things along again finally though.

V

[_TB_TB_]

http://www.pdaclub.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53188&start=360&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= - the polish - language topic about reverting WM to WinCE;) 'usercontrol' user shown an app that did enum all the windows and set their attrib to those that my app set. Since he did not publish it anywhere (nether EXE, nor source code) I wanted to make my own version and release it to all;)

usercontrol is working (at least he claims so;) my app kicked his butt to get to work;) ) on app called betterWM - it is supposed to restore the 'classic' CE taskbar, and some more features (windows minimizing/maximizing, etc).

The app was created for two purposes - eVC++ test and as a small and hopefully usefull tool

Source code is stunningly long:


#include "stdafx.h"

int WINAPI WinMain( HINSTANCE hInstance,
HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
LPTSTR lpCmdLine,
int nCmdShow)
{
HWND wnd = GetForegroundWindow();
if(wnd != FindWindow(NULL, _T("Desktop"))){
if(((WS_VISIBLE & GetWindowLong(wnd, GWL_STYLE)) != GetWindowLong(wnd, GWL_STYLE))){
SetWindowPos(wnd, HWND_TOP, 0, 26, 10, 10, SWP_NOOWNERZORDER|SWP_NOSIZE);
SetWindowLong(GetForegroundWindow(), GWL_STYLE, WS_VISIBLE);
}
else{
SetWindowLong(GetForegroundWindow(), GWL_STYLE, WS_CAPTION|WS_SYSMENU|WS_SIZEBOX);
}
}
return 0;
}


And the reset I'm talking about is a regular soft reset (the same effect when you kill Programs window with TaskMan)

[CWKJ]

Before I try, one more questions, do I need to exit from Wisbar Advance 2, NEW MENU from one of the forumer and other today plugins?

[vijay555]

_TB_TB_: what's the progress on reverting WinMobile to WinCE on the Polish thread? I'm afraid my Polish isn't very good!

There have been successful efforts to get better versions of WinCE running on some old Palm-size PCs, but unfortunately I've never seen the source code, and replicating the efforts without source would be almost futile... it was a very big project. It's a shame it died.

However, this required using a generic WinCE install, which means that for us, most of the driver incompatiblities etc would leave it even more pointless. Better to work on linux then WinCE for that work.

VJSihaya (if I ever get time to spend on it) is likely just to be a shell, but there are various shell level/hooking challenges to implement before it can be usable as a full shell replacement. However, removing the PocketPC shell would be the best way, it will save resources and keep things much smoother, but you then have to replicate memory and notification callbacks and quite a bit of other stuff. I don't think it's really worth doing that, so that leaves you with running a shell on top of the default PocketPC shell... bad for memory, but best for functionality.

Also - I found when writing VJOkButt that closing the control panel might also cause a system crash. [That might be a useful tool for anyone seeking to exploit Windows Mobile using shell code btw]

V

[hanmin]

nniiiiccceeee ... but I find my 320x240 screen a bit too small for floating windows. I like the idea of Alt-Tab for switching apps, but I ran out of buttons to do so. Will use this when I get a 640x480 version

[_TB_TB_]

_TB_TB_: what's the progress on reverting WinMobile to WinCE on the Polish thread? I'm afraid my Polish isn't very good! Yay, really?;)

Progress? Nothing new, actually (the newest thing is flame war against me and my program versus never released usercontrol's program:D btw - try enumerating all windows and setting their attribs to floating - interesting results...). Only some 'news', that we need to launch a regular WinCE shell (or rather front-end, since both WinCE and WM use the same CE kernel). The WM dll libs contain a lot of WinCE stuff front - end. Now usercontrol is writing a taskbar-app, that would enable minimizing/maximizing/restoring windows. The taskbar itself would be a reconstruction of Handheld PC WinCE taskbar functionality.

[CWKJ]

Can floatme (close) & floatme (no close) be combined like Wisbar Advance 2?

That is, short click on the "X" closes th apps and long click on the "X" just minimises it.

That will be really great.

[da_mayhem]

Cool!! this is great..i wanna play SkyForce 1 and Sky Force Reloaded at the same time! lol

[CWKJ]

See the attached picture.

Steps:
1. Open app 1
2. Floatme
3. Reduce window size
4. Open app 2
5. Floatme
6. Reduce window size
7. Floatme again on app 2 at reduced size
8. You see what I see in the picture

[OdeeanRDeathshead]

Thats a fun app. On my 240x320 res devices its not very practicle to use though. It gets me to thinking about one possible use for that idea. I like to have music playing while I do something else, if a skin could be made for media player to just have the next,back,volume up/down in a very small space then the window could be resized into a very small area and it could float over what ever I was working on. Thats what I do in the desktop already. The only catch would be that it would be even better if the floating window could be put over the task bar, but that is not as easily done.

[_TB_TB_]

I like to have music playing while I do something else, if a skin could be made for media player to just have the next,back,volume up/down in a very small space then the window could be resized into a very small area and it could float over what ever I was working on. Thats what I do in the desktop already. The only catch would be that it would be even better if the floating window could be put over the task bar, but that is not as easily done.

Use MortPlayer ( www.sto-helit.de ) - It has the 'TomTom' skins - skin, that occupies only about 25% of the screen.

Setting the window to be topmost is not difficult. The problem is only that how would I implement execution of such command?:| Maybe a loop normal->floating->topmost floating->normal ?

[gcisko]

How do i get the FloatMe to show on my Programs screen, instead of having to goto file explorer to find it?

[_TB_TB_]

Use this CAB:
http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/index.php?plik=floatme_cab.zip&op=get

[CWKJ]

Many great features added, like minimise, enlarge, etc. Many thanks.

I can see that you have been testing the software for more than a month, from the date of you cab file. :D

[mbirth]

Is there any chance that FloatMe can make floated apps run in TrueVGA mode so that you can use 4 different 240x320 apps on the 480x640 screen at once?

Cheers,
-mARKUS

[chris_khho]

Very interesting programme.

It's some minor issue with wisbar. For some programs, that were closed, still have a folder icon on the wisbar top bar.

See the attached. The HiCalc should have been closed already. But a folder icon representing HiCalc still appeared....

You can only remove the icon by exiting wisbar and getting it back....

Cheers,

[samy.3660]

Greetings to all,
Please tell me how to assign it on hardware button.

[CWKJ]

Very interesting programme.

It's some minor issue with wisbar. For some programs, that were closed, still have a folder icon on the wisbar top bar.

See the attached. The HiCalc should have been closed already. But a folder icon representing HiCalc still appeared....

You can only remove the icon by exiting wisbar and getting it back....

Cheers,
Which theme are you using (link please)? Looks cool. Goes quite well with CrossBow.

[samy.3660]

Greetings,
Its a wisbar advance desktop.

[stanip]

TB_TB, this is a very interesting utility. Wonder if it can enlarge an app to cover the top and the bottom bars to solve for the real-estate wastage? Thanks!

[chris_khho]

Which theme are you using (link please)? Looks cool. Goes quite well with CrossBow.

You can find the theme in this website.

Yes, it's the crossbow theme.

Cheers,

[CWKJ]

@Sammy
Thanks, I know it is WA2, I am using WA2 too, with PPC OsX Theme (see attached). But WA2 needs a theme to produce the menu bar, etc, etc. I am asking where to download the theme, not the software.

@Chris
In the forum or in the FTP, can give me the link please.

[CWKJ]

Use this CAB:
http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/index.php?plik=floatme_cab.zip&op=get
Suggest that you edit the first page first post for easy access for users.

I tried copy to the link to my Post Number 2.

[chris_khho]

@Sammy
Thanks, I know it is WA2, I am using WA2 too, with PPC OsX Theme (see attached). But WA2 needs a theme to produce the menu bar, etc, etc. I am asking where to download the theme, not the software.

@Chris
In the forum or in the FTP, can give me the link please.

Check the following:
WA2 skin
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9548&page=6
Post #59
Today's skin is attached. Thanks to the original post writer (sorry I forgot...but I am definitely sure that I have seen it in this forum...and in Helmi_c 3.5 ROM)

Cheers,

[CWKJ]

Thanks.

I actually did a google and found this webpage, but did not realise this is the webpage because I did not go the next page...LOL...

[hiroshi.rio]

_TB_TB_,

Thanx a lot for this app.

I have a doubt bout it: when I click on the windows' apps (Internet, Calendar or Resco, ex.), it maximize. Does the windows not fit in the size, that is, can I use the apps on this windows size? :confused:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3851/floatmejn9.jpg

[emerym]

_TB_TB_,

Cool app! I've assigned my TyTN's Comms button to it, works a treat! Now to create a very small skin for Pocket Player :)

Thanks,
emerym

[_TB_TB_]

hiroshi.rio, the apps you have mentioned have a "self-resize" option - they become stretched to fullscreen every time activated. Don't think I can prevent this, sorry... :/

[hiroshi.rio]

_TB_TB_,

Ok, no problem. ;)

Your tool is absolutely usefull for me (even so my QVGA screen). I'm very grateful for this one.

Thanx a lot for your great work. :D

[vijaysv]

hey is it possible for you to send me sky force and reloaded??
If yes please contact me on dustitoffnow@yahoo.co.uk

[coosbaytv]

_TB_TB_,

I for one would be ectatic to use this on my G1000!!!

When trying to install, I get a "not a valid Win32.exe file" error!

I tried on 2 machines and got the same thing.

Is there a solution?

Thanks for your effort, Jay

[Midget_1990]

I havent used this app so i may be wrong but that's the error you get when trying to run PPC .exe's on a PC, so i guess tht the exe should be run from your PPC not you desktop/laptop. :)

[coosbaytv]

Midget_1990:

that is what I thought, but the icon in the PPC is unrecognized as well as an error there with the exe file not being complete.

this is why I posted and joined just to get the the developer.

Jay

[Midget_1990]

try using the cab version

http://bodz.elsat.net.pl/vis/uploader/index.php?plik=floatme_cab.zip&op=get

[coosbaytv]

I appreciate the feedback but I have a stupid question:

I don't have much knowledge of the "cab" option. I have downloaded some cab versions and then unzipped them to find a bunch of little files in the unzipped folder. from there, I gave up.

I couldn't figure out what to do with all the little files in the folder on the PC...

Exactly where do they go on the Pocket PC?

Suggestions? Is that clear enough?

Thanks, Jay

[Midget_1990]

download the cab file and copy it to your device.

find it in file explorer and click on it, it will install itself :)

[coosbaytv]

says they are not associated with valid application, choose application first and then run...

this is from the PPC of course.

I even tried to upload them as attachments here for you to see them and the upload applet says they are invalid files...

not sure what to do now, I appreciate the help though.

Jay

the first cab file is a Hayes JT Fax file which is 9k.:eek:

[coosbaytv]

hiroshi.rio:

I see you are online now,

did you have any problems with the files or install?

Jay

[hiroshi.rio]

hiroshi.rio:

I see you are online now,

did you have any problems with the files or install?

Jay

coosbaytv, I didn't have any problem. I posted my today screen on page 3 on this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1208450&postcount=28

And it's very simple, no mysterious: just send the file ("with" or "non-button" X) to your device (via AS, for exemple). Then, you just have to click on the file - floatme! - and its done.

If you use Resco Explorer, you can send the floatme to your today's menu. I did that, and it was very nice. If I want to "floater" some app, just push today's button on device and the app "floated".

Try again and post your results. ;)

[coosbaytv]

Active Sync won't let me install: it says it is not a valid Win32 application so niether my PC or PPC recognize it.

Could you post the file that you downloaded to see if it is different than what I have?

Also, I am using a WM 2002 device but the PPC freeware website said any device would be compatible... maybe this is actually the problem.

Jay

[hiroshi.rio]

Active Sync won't let me install: it says it is not a valid Win32 application so niether my PC or PPC recognize it.

Could you post the file that you downloaded to see if it is different than what I have?

Also, I am using a WM 2002 device but the PPC freeware website said any device would be compatible... maybe this is actually the problem.

Jay


Could you not INSTALL or SEND with AS? I'm asking, cos you don't need to install the app on PC to install on PPC; just send the extracted file to any folder on your devide and run it.

This message error appear when you run the app on your PC. It also appears for me.

I downloaded the file on TB's 1st post. Not different file. This is what I did:

-> downloaded the file floatme.zip (the 1st link on TB's post: 2,6 kb)
-> unziped
-> extracted FloatMe.exe to my PC
-> sent the file to PPC (storage card/My documents)
-> ran

Done. :)

Try again, cos I don't think it is a incompatible OS version. ;)

[coosbaytv]

hiroshi.rio:

First off, again I appreciate your patients and willingness on this...

now, followed exactly your instructions and got this error when running exe from My Docs on SD card on Hitachi G1000 PPC 2002 phone:

Cannot find 'FloatMe' (or one of it's components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and all the required libraries are available.

Any thoughts?

This is what makes me think it may be something with the file but now with your experience sounds like it is incompatible with older PPC OS.

Jay

[nothin]

it works fine on wm03...

[hiroshi.rio]

hiroshi.rio:

First off, again I appreciate your patients and willingness on this...

now, followed exactly your instructions and got this error when running exe from My Docs on SD card on Hitachi G1000 PPC 2002 phone:

Cannot find 'FloatMe' (or one of it's components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and all the required libraries are available.

Any thoughts?

This is what makes me think it may be something with the file but now with your experience sounds like it is incompatible with older PPC OS.

Jay

Jay,

You're welcome. ;)

This solution is stupid for me, but...: do you have installed NET Compact Framework 2.0 in you device? If not, install it and run the app. Maybe it could be the problem...

Others possibles solutions:

a) do you use File Explorer to run the app? If yes, try Resco Explorer;
b) try to turn off your device. Then, turn on and run the app;
c) try to send and run the app on device memory (not in memory card).

Sorry, but I could not think anything better... :rolleyes:

[nothin]

TB_TB napisz im, że mozna robic skroty.. mi sie nie chce tlumaczyc....

[kitor]

Nothin - I don't konw where is TB_TB and I don't understand about your shortcuts

//
któtko mówiąc nie łapię o co ci chodzi z tymi skrótami a TB_TB gdześ wcięło

[nothin]

Nothin - I don;t konw where is TB_TB and I don;t understand about your shortcuts

//
któtko mówiąc nie łapię o co ci chodzi z tymi skrótami a TB_TB gdześ wcięło

przeczytaj caly watek na pdaclubie, ten w ktorym sie generujecie z pomyslami winCE...i szukaj floatme na forum tamże, z ostatnich wpisow widze ze nie czytales calego wątku Bat'a, zapodajesz te same pomysly, ktore kiedys probowalismy wykorzystac bez skutku...

sry cant help.

[kitor]

nothin - no comment

//
odpisałem po polsku na polskim forum

[_TB_TB_]

Heyheyhey, Lakeridge has found my tool ;)
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11258 ("Float window" option)

Too bad they want people to pay for it...

[BatSk8]

Hi all,

I'm from _TB_TB_ country - Poland. My English isn't good - I'm still learning this language, hehehe.
I think, that this isn't fair from Lakeridge side. In my opinion, floating windows is _TB_TB_ idea, so Lakeridge will write in "About..." about this and I think, that WA author would never invent it.
Code is not important, important is idea.

Best regards

[kitor]

Hehe, TB_TB stolen us idea, Lakeridge stolen his idea. LOL

//Bat - zarejestrowałeś się tylko poto żeby to napisać? ;-)

[BatSk8]

:D //Bat - zarejestrowa?e? si? tylko poto ?eby to napisa?? ;-)
Tak :D Mam nadzieje, ze nie urazilem Polakow :D

[killcabbie]

ej, nie gadajcie po polsku bo nie wypada jak nikt nie rozumie ;P

Heyheyhey, Lakeridge has found my tool ;)
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11258 ("Float window" option)

Too bad they want people to pay for it...

For it? Isn't Wisbar little more than FloatWindow?

[nothin]

ehhh, nie rozumiem zamieszania... tyle czasu był spokój i NIKT nie umiał/nie używał, teraz wielkie halo, a gośc z lakeridge zarobi na Twoim pomyśle...


private msg, so i won't translate..

kitor nie pisz po angielsku, bo robisz to TRAGICZNIe....

[_TB_TB_]

kitor, the main difference is that YOU DID NOT PRESENT ANYTHING WORKING (not even a piece of code) except some fancy screenshots. Additionally Lakeridge makes people pay for the solution ;)

Oh, well... Maybe someone will finally make something useful with this tool.

[nothin]

.ok.........

[vijay555]

Does anyone have screenshots of the Wisbar solution?
Does it look the same as TB's?

V

[fliplyricist1]

awesome app man, thanks!!!


assigned it to my 'voice speed dial button' since i dont use it anyways, and works like a charm

very useful application!!

[kitor]

kitor, the main difference is that YOU DID NOT PRESENT ANYTHING WORKING (not even a piece of code) except some fancy screenshots.
:eek: http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4896/hahahagz9.gif

kitor nie pisz po angielsku, bo robisz to TRAGICZNIe....
Yes, I know :)

[chaoskind]

hey, this is a english forum as i know.. could u write in English instead of polish.

Since not all ppl in this forum understand polish. (I'm understanding it, but i can't write in polish (; ... it's long time ago since i left the country)

btw. does floatme works under the HTC Touch (i think it has WM06)? - have just ordered one and no i'm waiting for it to arrive (:

[kitor]

Sorry, this in polish was private :)

I hope thath FloatMe will work on all versions of Windows Mobile, on Windows CE too.

[nothin]

Since not all ppl in this forum understand polish.

you may consider this as priv msg then .
many people here are using their own langs, so any prob?

[luoluomeng]

A coooooooooooool software!
Can you provide a WM6 version?
This current version works not very perfect on my device.
Some buttons (like Maximization window and Minimization window)on the window aren't display.
Thx.

[kitor]

Some buttons (like Maximization window and Minimization window)on the window aren't display.
Thx.
It's normal - they are in correct place, but they aren't redrawed. It's currently inpossible to fix it.

[khrizdiel]

hi there! does anybuddy now of an app that allows to move or scroll a normal or floating windows with the stylus? just like you move your pics with the pen?