[v1.53][23-Mar-08] ShantzTodayChanger - Timed Wallpaper\THEME Cycler\App Launcher

[shantzg001]

Guys,
I've not been getting enough time to work on ShantzTodayChanger anymore (and couple that with the irritation of having to boot into windows just to work into this). The motivation levels are simply not there. I'm trying to see if there is someone willing to take up and continue development for this, so that I can release the source code. If anyone is interested, please drop me a word at the project's home page: Shantz Today Changer Home Page (http://tech.shantanugoel.com/projects/windows-mobile/shantztodaychanger)
SHANTZTODAYCHANGER
For queries, bug reports, feature requests, updates and downloads, visit ShantzTodayChanger Home Page (http://tech.shantanugoel.com/projects/windows-mobile/shantztodaychanger)
If you like this program, then you can
:: DONATE :: (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=shantanu%2egoel%40gmail%2ecom&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=IN&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8)

This small tool will cycle ur today background or theme after a set interval of time.
Usage:
1. Make a folder on ur device (preferably not on storage card.) and extract all the files (mainly ShantzTodayChanger.exe, TdyChangerCfg.exe, gsgetfile.dll (might not be visible to u depending on ur explorer settings) and Readme.htm) to this folder.
2. IMP: Do not rename any files.
3. Run the TdyChangerCfg.exe.
4. Set options through the dialog that opens and press apply button (Pressing the native WM OK button will discard all your changes)
5. Options:
i)Choose image type (.gif\.jpg\.png) or theme(.tsk) to be cycled.
ii)If the input files (images or themes) are not in the folder where exes are kept, then you can check the box (underneath the .gif option) and give the "FULL and ABSOLUTE" path of where the files are kept. You can either input the path thru keyboard or choose it graphically by pressing the button (...) next to it.
iii)If you want to run a file after every cycle interval, check the corresponding box and provide the "FULL and ABSOLUTE" path of the file to be run. You can either input the path thru keyboard or choose it graphically by pressing the button (...) next to it.
iv) If you want some files to be avoided during cycling, put a file mask. The program will look for this mask to appear anywhere in the name of the files and will avoid it if found. (Wildcards are not supported. Choose time option has to be checked for this to work)
v) Choose the period for which mask option has to be used. If you choose a time period and leave mask as empty, then during that time no cycling will be done. If you want to avoid some files all the time, then time period should be chosen to cover all 24 hrs of the day.
vi)enter the desired interval between cycling of images\themes.
vii)If you choose a period for the mask, another check box (Consider mask period for exe also) will be enabled. Checking this box will mean that the specified exe will be run only if an image\theme is changed during that cycle. If you dont check this, then exe will be run after every cycle even if there is no change in the image\theme.
6. When you want to stop the cycling, press "STOP Cycling" button.

Additional Notes:
1. I've tested it only on my WM6 HTC Wizard and WM5 emulator. Might work with other devices/OS's but not sure...
2. Doesnt have to be running constantly. So saves resources when not active.
3. Survives soft resets as well.
4. Even takes care of the situation if your phone is off when the time to cycle is reached. Will cycle as soon as ur phone comes back on in this situation.

Planned Updates:
i) Suggestions invited. I have a lot of updates in mind but will incorporate those only which are requested by you.

Known Issues:
i) If the mask option is selected, then in a very particular situation, the app will miss a cycle.
This can be taken care of but not in my priority list because this can be fixed only by rewriting the complete cycling code which is quite a bit. So, will fix it if I get some time from my other projects.
ii) If after maknig the configuration, you see the screen flash for a second at the right times, but the backfround doesn't change, then do this:
- Go to : Settings...today....appearance
- un-check "Use this picture as background"
- start the program using "startTodayChanger.lnk" or TdyChangerCfg (Apply button)
(Thnx to CWKJ for reporting this bug and fix, and to eric for reminding me about it)

End Note:
Like every software, this one is also bound to have bugs, please report it asap.
Though ShantzTodayChanger does not run continuously but sometimes some apps that close all processes automatically (like SPB backup) might clash in schedule with ShantzTodayChanger and close it when it starts to run. In such a case (which is quite unlikely), the app might not be able to set a notification for next cycle, so if u face this situation, then run the config again.

Version History:
1.53 - 23-March-08 -> RECOMMENDED UPDATE
i)Theme Color Detection has been improved a lot. Should work much more accurately now.

1.52 - 11-Aug-07 ->
i) Fixed another bug for the "time period" option.
ii) Made a little optimization in the code.

1.51 - 05-Aug-07 ->
i) Fixed a bug which prevented the "time period" option from working properly.
ii) Fixed a bug where wallpapers might not change if certain particular themes were installed before change cycle happens
iii) Fixed a bug where the time period option was not remembered properly by the GUI.
iv) Added option to allow user to choose whether to run the user specified file (exe\lnk) after every cycle interval only if there was a change in image\theme during that cycle.
v) Made a few small changes to the GUI to prevent users from making incorrect settings.

1.50 - 29-July-07 ->MAJOR UPDATE
i) Added option to specify a mask to avoid files having that mask
ii) Added option to specify the time period during which the mask has to be considered
iii) Added code to ensure that if mask is empty and a period is chosen, then no rotation is done during that period.
iv) Added option to run a user specified file after every cycle interval.
v) Fixed bug where the jpg and png options were not working earlier.
vi) Clicking help button now opens help in Pocket Internet Explorer.
vii) Fixed many more subtle bugs that manifest themselves and very peculiar situations.
viii) Optimized the code a bit at a few places.
ix) Also see "Known Issues" section above.
x) Removed the "append to previous info" box as now the app remembers old info correctly.

1.33 - 18-July-07 ->
i)Added code to select the input path graphically. It is a bit of workaround though. To select an input folder, just select any file inside it in the select folder dialog.
ii)TdyChgrCfg now shows you the previous settings.

1.32 - 21-Jun-07 ->
i) Fixed a bug where sometimes on cycling themes, colors change but images do not change.
ii) Added a measure to avoid running multiple instances (just as a precaution)
iii)Added code to avoid losing notifications if phone is reset too early after running the program

1.31 - 20-Jun-07 ->Fixed 2 bugs:
i) A notification bug where old notification is not deleted
ii) A bug where cycle interval value is not correctly read from the GUI

1.3 - 19-Jun-07 ->
i)Added option to make partial changes to previously entered information.
ii)Fine-Tuned the Theme Color support algo. Now, theme colors should be almost 95% same as calculated by windows mobile while applying theme.
iii)Did some code optimization

1.2 - 19-Jun-07 ->Major Update:
i)Added Theme Support. Changing of system colors as per theme is also supported (which is not done by any other program IIRC)
ii)Added option to keep input images\themes in a separate folder
iii)Provided a GUI Configuration module
iv)Provided option to choose between gif\jpg\png\tsk to be cycled.

1.11 - 12-Jun-07->Fixed another bug with notification queue

1.1 - 12-Jun-07 -> Fixed the bug that causes WM5/WM6 devices not to cycle wallpapers in certain conditions

1.0 - 10-Jun-07 -> Initial Release

Credits:
daxliniere/wacky.banana -> For asking to make the tool and their inputs
SeanFromSoCal/200mpx -> For their inputs

If you like this program, then you can :: DONATE :: (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=shantanu%2egoel%40gmail%2ecom&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=IN&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8)

Download:
Latest Downloads can now be found at http://tech.shantanugoel.com (http://tech.shantanugoel.com/projects/windows-mobile/shantztodaychanger)
For queries, bug reports, feature requests, updates and downloads, visit ShantzTodayChanger Home Page (http://tech.shantanugoel.com/projects/windows-mobile/shantztodaychanger)

[nothin]

it may be interesting :)

[jatt_inder]

nice release...will try it soon

[daxliniere]

Hey Shantz! thanks so much for this, unfortunatley it doesn't run on my Hermes! :(

And I don't know how to debug it so you can take a look at it.


Feature request: JPG or PNG support would be great. Also, a way to specify where the files reside, maybe command line? If argument is not present at command line, then default to install directory (program root)

Thanks Shantz!! :) :)

Dax.

[shantzg001]

@dax: well, I'll add a config module soon for the image paths etc.
Will see if jpg/png support is feasible enuff...
About the hermes, i'll send you a debug build and try to run that. But first of all, tell me whether you can find a registry entry "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ShantzTodayChanger" and if its there then can you tell me the objects present inside it along with their values...

[fallenczar]

Hi
Just made this. This small tool will cycle ur today background / wallpaper after a set interval of time.

Usage:
1. Make a folder on ur device (preferably not on storage card. Its just 8KB anyways) and extract the ShantzTodayChanger.exe to this folder.
2. Copy the image files that you want to set as ur today background to this folder.
IMP:The files should be gif and moreover, the size (widthxheight) of the images should be taken care of by you in advanced, otherwise they might be stretched or cropped
3. Run the ShantzTodayChanger.exe.
4. This will create two shortcuts in ur folder. startTdyChngr.lnk and stopTdyChngr.lnk.
5. Now just run startTdyChngr.lnk. The default time gap between cycling is 600sec. You can modify the shortcut to choose ur own time (in sec).
6. When you want to stop the cycling, just run stopTdyChngr.lnk.

Additional Notes:
1. You can create your own shortcuts if you want. Basically the ShantzTodayChanger.exe works on following command line arguments (without the quotes):
i) "-g 600" - start cycling images. replace 600 by ur own time in seconds. Keep it more than 1 minute preferably.
ii) "-s" - stop cycling.
iii) "-c" - cycle immediately. DONT USE THIS OPTION. MIGHT CREATE PROBLEMS.
2. I've tested it only on my WM6 HTC Wizard and WM5 emulator. Might work with other devices/OS's but not sure...
3. It runs only when wallpaper has to be changed. So saves resources when not active.
4. Survives soft resets as well.
5. Even takes care of the situation if your phone is off when the time to cycle is reached. Will cycle as soon as ur phone comes back on in this situation.

Planned Updated:
i) Suggestions invited. I have a lot of updates in mind but will incorporate those only which are requested by you.

End Note:
Like every software, this one is also bound to have bugs, please report it asap.

Version History:
1.0 - 10-Jun-07 -> Initial Release

Credits:
daxliniere/wacky.banana -> For asking to make the tool

RapidShare Mirror->http://rapidshare.com/files/36281282/ShantzTodayChanger.zip

cool,
i was actually thinking of something like this...

feature request????

how about changing the entire theme....
(what i am planning here is having different themes during different times of the day)
along with it say can you make it check the time (say instead of 600s i would like to change it at 12, 3, 6 and 9...)

[nothin]

whole theme changer(tsk), which will change system solors would be WROBG :(

[shantzg001]

@fallenCzar: Whole Theme Changer isn't on the list right now...Maybe I can work on it when I get a few other things together first..
along with it say can you make it check the time (say instead of 600s i would like to change it at 12, 3, 6 and 9...)
Do you mean, you want to change it at a specific time of the day? Hmmm, I may try to include an option to specify the "cycle start time" along with the gap, which should take care of this...

[sathya]

not working on my o2 XDA II mini win 2003SE.it says not a valid pocket pc....

[shantzg001]

@Sathya: It works only on WM5 and WM6. I'll see if just a simple compilation for the WM2003 platform will work and let you know...

@ALL: Those who have tried it on their WM5/WM6 devices, please let me know if its working ok for you or not.

[shantzg001]

BTW, i've started working on a few updates, check in Post #1..I think I'll make two versions for this, a normal one and an extended one, so that those who want a smaller footprint can use the normal version...

[shaileshashar]

Hey seem to be a nice work shantzg001, checking it out soon ...

[shantzg001]

Thnx Shailesh, did u get time to run it??

[200mpx]

do not work on my Trinity :(

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Just seen this. Many many thanks for your efforts here, most appreciated.

Not had chance to try it yet but most reports sem to be coming back that it doesn't seem to work on a Tytn/WM5 machine? What's your take on that?

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

Hmmm, it works perfectly on my WM6 HTC Wizard and the WM5 emulator as well...Not getting any time right now to look more..Will post a debug build tonight..But can someone please check the registry. I had said earlier also to check under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ShantzTodayChanger, to report back what all settings exist there, after you have completed all the process...

[shantzg001]

Found some problems with the code...Have removed the utility till further notice...

[shantzg001]

Found out part of the problem by inspecting a colleague's device...Its because of how some devices behave to background change if themes are installed..
Will make the change when i go back home tonight and also see if there is any other problem...

[shantzg001]

Fixed the bug...It should be ok now for all WM5/WM6 devices..

[200mpx]

With 1.11 it now works fine!

Is it possible to make it work not only with gif files but with tsk too

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Wait for the weekend ;)

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Just got back to this and I see you have been doing some bug fixing. Not had chance to try the tool yet as have been away on business. The tsk file version should prove interesting. Await that development with interest.

Incidentally I have another small project for you, if you are interested, that should help solve a major irritant for me (see my other post in this forum).

If you can find the time and can help, it would be appreciated.

As I said before happy to contribute for any of your work if necessary.

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

sorry, have been busy lately and then my laptop went kaput..will post the new version within a couple of days hopefully..

[200mpx]

Don't worry, we can wait :)

[sathya]

hi,
any good news for win 2003SE users?

[shantzg001]

Sathya, I have attached a test build for 2003SE users (in the first post of this thread). Please download it and test it and lemme know the results...

[sathya]

Sathya, I have attached a test build for 2003SE users (in the first post of this thread). Please download it and test it and lemme know the results...

HI,

Thanks for ur strain on doing this amazing software for wim 2003SE devices also,i tested it but when i click on the icon nothing is happening.

$athya

[shantzg001]

New version added to the first post. v1.2 includes:
1. GUI for configuration
2. Added theme support (along with system colors support which no other program has)
3. Input files can be kept in a separate folder
4. Option to choose between gif\jpg\png\tsk to be cycled.

[200mpx]

Good work! Now it works perfectly!

Some suggestions: is it possible to save the entered info in setup exe, cause if you try to modify smth you should reenter all data. And is it possible not only setup time to start cycling but the period (time start - time end) of cycling - I do not need to cycle themes in night time for example, so I will enter there start at 7:00 AM and stop at 1:00 AM.

[shantzg001]

@200mpx..Thnx for the compliments..:)
About the suggestions:
1. Nice suggestion (Saving of previous data). I'll try to incorporate this feature soon.
2. currently the start time was meant to be a "once-off" feature, i.e. it was to be taken into account only the first time., but your suggestion looks better. I'll see if I can squeeze both things in or just replace the earlier meaning of "start time" with this new "start-stop time"

[shantzg001]

Had received a question from wacky.banana, i'm posting it here so that others might also benefit if facing the same problem
Hello mate,

Thought I would load this up before I went to bed.

Not got it working yet on my Tytn WM5; however quick suggestion; the option where it asks for the absolute path of the input files needs to have a browse option attached to it so that the correct folder can be selected.

Just got a notification error: "cannot execute \application data \volatatile \$zipTmp$\ shantztodaychanger1.2\shantztodaychanger.exe

Any ideas on what's going on? Will try again to get it working tomorrow.

Cheers

WB

I think the problem is that you didn't extract the executables to your device and executed them from within the zip file on your device (that is why in the message, you can see the path "volatile\$zipTmp". You need to extract the folder to the device and then run the exe.

About the browse option, maybe in a future release.

[shantzg001]

Added v1.3 to post#1.
Changelog:
1.3 - 19-Jun-07 ->
i)Added option to make partial changes to previously entered information.
ii)Fine-Tuned the Theme Color support algo. Now, theme colors should be almost 95% same as calculated by windows mobile while applying theme.
iii)Did some code optimization

[shantzg001]

All 1.2 and above users MUST update to v1.31. Two critical bugs have been fixed.
Check post 1 for more info

[sathya]

hey shantzg001

Any news for wm2003SE users?

[shantzg001]

Hey Sathya, cudnt get time from the wm5 release itself and moreover not having a wm2003 device added to the woes. Anyways, I've loaded up a WM2003 emulator now and also asked a colleague (who has a 2003se device) to help me out in testing it. But its gonna take some time cuz I'm going out today for a few days and won't be back before the start of next week and so will not be able to access my laptop to make any code changes...

[sathya]

hey man u r awesome,thanks a lot for ur pleasing words.no matter if its late,i will wait for ur amazing application.Thank u so much.

$athya

[200mpx]

shantzg001

Did not try your last version, but in 1.2 the cycling stops after soft reset.

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Hmm, I havent seen that scenario. May not be able to check it out immediately, but can you tell me:
1. whether this situation is reproducible permanently? I mean, does this happen every time you soft reset?
2. When this happens, can you check two things:
i) Use a software like sktools\memmaid\dotfred task manager to see whether a notification to call my app exists in the notification queue.
ii) Go to HKCU\Software\ShantzTodayChanger and tell me what is the data contained in "notifHandle"
3. Can you please also check this with version 1.31.
Thnx for reporting the problem..

[200mpx]

It's OK with 1.31
In 1.2 there was a message that the system can not execute STC's exe

[shantzg001]

It's OK with 1.31
In 1.2 there was a message that the system can not execute STC's exe

ok...
just one more question..did u have the exe stored on ur storage card when you were using 1.2?

[200mpx]

No, in main memory (Program Files).

[shantzg001]

Added v1.32 to Post #1. Changelog:
1.32 - 21-Jun-07 ->
i) Fixed a bug where sometimes on cycling themes, colors change but images do not change.
ii) Added a measure to avoid running multiple instances (just as a precaution)
iii)Added code to avoid losing notifications if phone is reset too early after running the program

[shantzg001]

Added v1.33 to post#1. Changelog:
1.33 - 22-Jun-07 ->
Just noticed that had taken the wrong version of a source file for last build which led to tiling of the wallpaper sometimes. Now used the correct file for this build.

seems like i had used the correct file in the first place..just had a bit of inconsistencies with subversion (actually it was my stupidity in not doing "SVN Update" for the working copy before working on the prog)...Please revert back to 1.32

sorry for the inconvenience...

[agovinoveritas]

Just as food for thought... I know people like this app, but if you want to change your Themes only a few times a day.

You can also use O2 Plus as it also gives you a different plugins for the today screen such as last call, calendar, shortcuts and a task manager that runs pretty well.

[shantzg001]

You can also use O2 Plus as it also gives you a different plugins for the today screen such as last call, calendar, shortcuts and a task manager that runs pretty well.
I agree agovinoveritas, o2plus is a good piece of software and i had actually considered it before writing my own but had a few issues\limitations with o2plus like:
1. one needed to manually schedule times for which themes had to be changed.
2. Exact tsk file had to be chosen for each schedule and I couldn't just ask it to randomly pick a theme out of the ones i have which kinda defeats the very purpose for which i wrote the app ("automatic" meant automatic selection as well as automatic applying of theme)
3. many ppl use other better software for calendar, task manager etc so didnt want the extra bloat..

[SeanFromSoCal]

Previously I came across this post and you didn't support TSk files, but I see that you have now added that. I'm definately gonna download this app tonight and fool around with it.

From the screenshot, I was wondering if you had intentions of adding a directory selection feature. Like you can browse for a directory in a pulldown. Once selected it will run a loop and find all the subdirectories of the respective directory and present a tree. Then you will have checkboxes for directories you want to include in the rotation. You may have seen something like this in a StartMenu cpl in some ROMs or in Sprite backup. Also maybe a checkbox for sequential change or random change.

I'm just thinking because I do have some non-office safe themes that I can uncheck when I go into the office and re-check when I'm off. Damn all these babes on PPCTheme website :-P!!

Just food for thought.

[shantzg001]

non-office safe themes
oh, "those" non-office safe themes ;), and I was beginning to wonder which themes interfere with MS Office.
i'll try a bit this weekend to implement a couple of suggestions atleast...
lets see..

[wacky.banana]

Finally made the effort to get this to work on my Tytn but I'm not getting very far. I really can't see why not unless I'm not doing something.

Can someone please confirm that they have this running on a Tytn running WM5? Shantz has spent time and effort on this and I am determined to get it working on my kit.

Thanks

WB

[shantzg001]

Hey wb (and other tytn owners):
I had sent this debug build out to dax some time ago, http://rapidshare.com/files/39290278/debug.zip
download and run this and let me know how it works. Method to use:
1. Unzip files into a folder on ur device.
2. run tdychangercfg.exe and set the options as u want.
3. see if u get "shantztodaychanger is set" message.
4. click on shantztodaychanger.exe.
5. this will create two shortcuts
6. modify any shortcut and change the arguments to "-c" without the quotes.
7. run this shortcut.
8. make a list of all the messages you see and send me that list.

Cautions/Warnings:
1. This debug build works by popping up success\failure and debug messages at various stages of the program, so this operation is normal, don't panic. Moreover, at any time if you want to stop the boxes from popping, just dont press ok on a box and kill the shantztodaychanger.exe using any task manager, otherwise u can use the stoptodaychanger shortcut.
2. The repeating time that u set, set it to very high (something like 999999) because u r not going to test the "repeating" functionality as that works fine. otherwise you might be bugged by the debug messages.
3. Also let me know the exact names of a few of the files (image or themes) that you use for input.

Note: I might not be able to fix the problem this week because of time crunch but can surely analyse ur logs and pin point the error, so far from dax's input it looks like there is some problem with the files selection routine and the program is not able to find any files.

[wacky.banana]

OK Shantz, I'm on it. Will post the results up here so everyone benefits.

Cheers

WB

[daxliniere]

Good onya WB,
I'd be participating too, but my tytn is fux0r3d :(

New one won't arrive til late next week! :( :( :(

(I'm itching to get my software back on)

[SeanFromSoCal]

Shantz this is working great!!!

Can I make some suggestions for any future releases:

1) Config app to show current settings. I had to double check the values in the registry with what I thought I put in the config. The directory where I store my themes is fairly long. Also what happens if ShantzTodayChanger has already set the notification and I change the settings, doesn't it erase the old notification and create a new one? Or make the adjustment on the next notification?

2) When I have Wisbar Desktop enabled with a transparent background I cannot see the new theme after the change. I would have to exit Wisbar Desktop and re-start it. Is there a way that you can have Shantz launch a registry designated program with every theme change? Something like that might be useful for other purposes as well?? Just a simple registry setting like:

HKCU\Software\ShantzTodayChanger\runOnChange (string)

3) And last but not least...like I mentioned before. Some improvement on the config in terms of directory selection. A list where you can add directories with checkboxes would be nice. (For an example of what I mean take a look at BatteryStatus' TrayLaunch config screen).


Thanks again Shantz. I'm going to keep toying with it and see if it gets stuck on any of the "bad" themes that have frozen other theme changers. =)

[200mpx]

How about the timed period of rotation?

[daxliniere]

Shantz has been clever enough to include everyone else's ideas for features, I'm sure he can handle those! ;)
Much love Shantz!
(Still no WM5 phone arrived :( )

[shantzg001]

Shantz this is working great!!!

Can I make some suggestions for any future releases:

1) Config app to show current settings. I had to double check the values in the registry with what I thought I put in the config. The directory where I store my themes is fairly long. Also what happens if ShantzTodayChanger has already set the notification and I change the settings, doesn't it erase the old notification and create a new one? Or make the adjustment on the next notification?

2) When I have Wisbar Desktop enabled with a transparent background I cannot see the new theme after the change. I would have to exit Wisbar Desktop and re-start it. Is there a way that you can have Shantz launch a registry designated program with every theme change? Something like that might be useful for other purposes as well?? Just a simple registry setting like:

HKCU\Software\ShantzTodayChanger\runOnChange (string)

3) And last but not least...like I mentioned before. Some improvement on the config in terms of directory selection. A list where you can add directories with checkboxes would be nice. (For an example of what I mean take a look at BatteryStatus' TrayLaunch config screen).


Thanks again Shantz. I'm going to keep toying with it and see if it gets stuck on any of the "bad" themes that have frozen other theme changers. =)
Thnx Sean, abt the suggestions:
1. yes, I can surely add the code to display the current settings. BTW, when u change the settings, the program deletes the old notification and adds a new one, because there is a bug with WM when modifying an old notification, it doesnt work sometimes..
2. Already had the "run program' thing in mind.. will work on it...
3. Many ppl have requested improvements to the directory selection method. Havent been able to give much time to it, but so far I think I'll have to recurse a lot for such a thing over the directory structure. It'd be great if someone can point to a "free" control to add this, otherwise will look into it after sm time..
Do let me know if you find any bugs..

[shantzg001]

How about the timed period of rotation?
@200mpx, Couldn't get what you wanted to ask...Please explain again..

@all: Please send in your replies with the results you see with the debug build on devices on which my program doesnt work. Ideally, I'd like to get this MAJOR bug out of the way before making any more updates to the program...

[200mpx]

Sorry to be unclear.

Here I asked about this feature:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1320086&postcount=29

[shantzg001]

It'd be great if someone can point to a "free" control to add this, otherwise will look into it after sm time..
Found out abt the native windows functions for directory listings as well as a free solution.. will implement once I'm able to get through the WM5/Tytn bug and also fulfill a request for a program by wb...

[shantzg001]

Sorry to be unclear.

Here I asked about this feature:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...6&postcount=29
Oh, I remember now, have a few things in mind with the timing thingy, will let you guys know what shape it comes out in, in a few days.

[SeanFromSoCal]

Shantz, right now on v1.32 it only uses themes in the chosen directory and none of the subdirectories. Is that correct? I only have a couple files in the base directory and I haven't noticed it loading any from the subdirs.

One more thing. I noticed that the randomization isn't that random. Right now I restarted the program after a soft reset and the first three themes it loaded when I was watching yesterday are the same three themes I'm seeing it load now.

EDIT: I just noticed that it was not randomizing at all. It was doing the change sequentially by filename alphabetically. But somehow it skipped the first file and started loading #2, #3, #4, etc. So that's why I thought it was random.

[shantzg001]

@Sean:
right now on v1.32 it only uses themes in the chosen directory and none of the subdirectories. Is that correct?
Yes, thats correct, it doesnt parse the subdirectories..
One more thing. I noticed that the randomization isn't that random.
It is not random, its cyclic (as mentioned in the title). So, it picks file names alphabetically. I made it this way for some performance issues and moreover to take care of the fact that the number of files in the input directory might change any time. However ,I might provide a "randomisation" option in the next version.
You thought it was random because the program starts off from where it left last time, i.e., if you soft reset or restart/reconfigure the prog, and the input file being used before any of these actions was #1, then now the prog will start from #2.

Anyways, I've got a lot of inputs (especially ur inputs have been excellent), but I'm just waiting for someone to help me debug the tytn/WM5 issue before making anymore updates. I dont have a WM5 device so I test only on the emulator for WM5 and use my wizard for WM6 testing, and on the emulator it works fine, so am stuck right now on this front and it doesnt make much sense to add more featuers and then do rework later on to fix this issue..

[SeanFromSoCal]

I fully understand the "frozen in debugging" stage regarding the Tytn. I'll be patiently eagerly waiting for your next release.

I really want to thank you for this. I was testing out BVRP's Theme Manager and it WAS working great. Problem is that it requires to be present in memory to perform the theme change. It was taking 1.17mb of RAM just for that function. [X] that.

Now I am using your script to perform the change and only BVRP's for the occasional theme previewing. Thanks again.

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Not sure if Daxliniere has received his replacement Tytn or not so he can double check on the testing I'm doing.

Anyroad I ran the debugging version the other night and it simply froze my Tytn. I have had to deinstall it to get the Tytn back up and running. What I don't know is whether this is because of something I did or whether that's what happens when you run the debugging version on the Tytn.

Daxliniere, what say you?

Cheers

WB

PS. Im convinced we can get this working so don't lose heart.

[shantzg001]

@wb, am sorry for any probs if they are being caused by the debug version...i can make another build to strip out most code and leave in only things that i think might cause problem in wm5....
BUT dunno when...as now another problem as risen...i've been hit by a bout of viral fever and sitting for more than even 5-10 minutes causes a lot of fatigue (Its monsoon season in India and more than 50% of the city is under the cloud of viral)...the doctor says that i'll be fit within a day or two (after quite a few doses of anti-biotics)..sorry for the delays, buddy...

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Sorry to hear you are unwell. The changer isn't that important.

I would get fit first then look at this when you get your strength back.

Cheers

WB

[SeanFromSoCal]

Shantz hope you feel better soon. Take cares.

[shantzg001]

Updated to v1.33. Check the first post.
Changelog:
1.33 - 18-July-07 ->
i)Added code to select the input path graphically. It is a bit of workaround though. To select an input folder, just select any file inside it in the select folder dialog.
ii)TdyChgrCfg now shows you the previous settings.

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Just uploaded ver 1_3_3 and.................................seems to work on the Tytn (eureka!!!).

Cautious at the minute as I'm still testing. Seems the key was being able to actively select the folder with my existing themes in.

There are a couple of things which are still not absolutely clear, eg how I set the cycle time to be quicker or slower and what the unit of measure is (seconds or minutes). I prefer to speed mine through as:
a) I have a lot of thems and
b) I get bored easy :)

I think you might need a reworked set of instructions to make the use of this app as clear as possible.

Will report back, possibly tomorrow, on how I am getting on.

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

@wb...Actually the confusion is because of a missing static text near the last edit box. I've had this problem off and on that the text that I have placed there, many times just refuses to show up. Anyways, in the last edit box (just above the "append this to previous info" checkbox), you can fill in your desired cycle time in seconds. You can use this option to speed up or slow down ur cycling by reducing or increasing the cycle interval.
And yeah, a lot of new features coming up arnd weekend time...:)

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

I await the next edition with interest!

Anyroad just so you are aware this has been working faultlessly on the Tytn since yesterday without missing a beat. The nice thing about it is that I use SPB backup on a nightly basis and once that's finished its job and kicked the Tytn back into life the tool just carries on as if nothing ever happened. Result!!

I am running the changes on a 60 second cycle at the minute just to stress check the tool and the Tytn's operational resilience under it. I will report back again later.

In terms of improvements, while you might want to keep the details of next release close to your chest, a big improvement to the tool would be the ability to run different file types, or a mix of file types at the same time. By this I mean having the ability to run, say, TSK and JPG files at the same time.

If this was linked to some type of randomisation mechanism then the tool could alternate between a TSK file and a JPG file and any other format. I think it would be good to leave the existing functionality alone , ie the ability to run only one file type at any time.

Hope this is a reasonable request and doesn't give you loads of grief to implement.

Again, serious thanks for this work. I have been searching for a tool like this for a long, long time and its finally here.

Cheers bud.

WB

[SeanFromSoCal]

Shantz, the new features you added are working as planned. Been playing around with it a lot and I noticed a couple things.

1) Do I need to put the startTdyChangr.ink in the StartUp folder? I thought I saw in a previous post that it'll automatically initiate because of the pending notification.

2) Whenever it reboots it will restart the pointer at the first file again instead of progressive from where it left off last. Well for me it actually restarts on the 2nd file.

Shantz, once again thank you for this great program. I'm checking this thread almost daily :-) Love to see what you come up with in the next release. Keep up the great work.

[shantzg001]

Anyroad just so you are aware this has been working faultlessly on the Tytn since yesterday without missing a beat.
thats nice to hear :)

In terms of improvements, while you might want to keep the details of next release close to your chest,
just check the "Planned future updates" section in the first post...

[shantzg001]

Shantz, the new features you added are working as planned. Been playing around with it a lot and I noticed a couple things.

1) Do I need to put the startTdyChangr.ink in the StartUp folder? I thought I saw in a previous post that it'll automatically initiate because of the pending notification.

2) Whenever it reboots it will restart the pointer at the first file again instead of progressive from where it left off last. Well for me it actually restarts on the 2nd file.

Shantz, once again thank you for this great program. I'm checking this thread almost daily :-) Love to see what you come up with in the next release. Keep up the great work.
1) you dont need to keep the shortcut anywhere..
2) well, the program starts off initially with the 2nd file, but it should continue progressively after reboots ands not restart again, i'll look into it...

[shantzg001]

looks like these just aren't my days...had an accident while coming back from the office today, the bike is now in tatters though I escaped with minor injuries...Its gonna take a week and a lot of money to get the bike running again..
lets see when i can make anymore updates....

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

First it was a viral attack and now a bike accident. You need to get out less!! :)

Hope you get ot sorted mate.

Cheers

WB

[ebliss]

Hi,
the option to show .jpg is not registered in the registry, so, none of my jpg files can show up. Also, if I choose to have the directory somewhere else, then run the config again, the textbox is not enabled.

Thanks

[daxliniere]

Shantz! Dude!! You gotta take care of yourself, buddy!
So sorry to hear about that, man.

Take care.
Dax.

[wacky.banana]

Dax,

Where have you been hiding? This now works on my Tytn; have you got it working on yours yet?

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

@ebliss: I'll try to reproduce the jpg problem...About the text box, I know abt the bug, meanwhile workaround is that uncheck and check the "chose a diff folder" checkbox once and the text box will be enabled..will fix this in the next version.

[ebliss]

@ebliss: I'll try to reproduce the jpg problem...About the text box, I know abt the bug, meanwhile workaround is that uncheck and check the "chose a diff folder" checkbox once and the text box will be enabled..will fix this in the next version.

Basically, the registry key of bgOrTheme is not updated to "1". Once I manually change it to "1", the jpg pictures show up.

Thanks

[HaiLe512]

Shantz,
First, thanks for the program. This is a good program for WM5/6. This seems to be a winner. Thanks.

Second, this program changes the system color theme back to default on my p3300/wm6 v3.5. I have a bunch of tsk themes and I have been using RPA theme master to rotate them. I saw your post and decided to try it. Your program works good but it changes the color theme back to default. The tsk themes that I have I made them with theme generator and each theme has it owns pictures and color definition. I tried your program for two days now and everytime there a theme change, the status and start bars change back to the default green as well as the text color. The pictures however are loaded correctly.

Is there a register tweak for this or you have to redo the program to take the tsk defined color scheme?

Thanks and keep up the great coding...

[shantzg001]

@Haile512: Thnx for the compliments..Can you attach any such theme (.tsk file) with which you are seeing this issue? I'll look into it asap...

[HaiLe512]

Shantz,
please find attached one of the tsk theme. This theme is ext theme and it is used by SPB plus. The only different between this theme and standard window theme is battery + other indication icons are embedded in the theme. Today theme will execute this theme but you will not see the special indicator unless SPB plus is running.

Thanks

[shantzg001]

@HaiLe512: I found the problem. Actually ur file has only these reg entries:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Color\ThemeG en]
"tdywater"="tdywater"
"tdywaterPct"=dword:00000000
"stwater"="tdywater"
"stwaterPct"=dword:00000000
"tdywaterLightDark"=dword:00000100
"stwaterLightDark"=dword:00000100
There are no entries at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Color\, which define the actual colors to be used, and from where I calculate the system colors...
These registry settings are defined at http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=WindowsMobile5Colors
Am not sure how to use the settings given in ur file to calculate the system colors but Ill look into it..Otherwise you can look at WM5 specific registry key and try to include them in your themes...

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Another brainwave/suggestion came to mind while I was in work today. Would be useful if the tool could either play animated themes or be able to recognise an app that is capable of playing animated themes and randomise between this and static themes.

Might be a bit of a tall order and I'm not fussed if its too much work and you don't fancy the coding. I use a mix of these themes but have to load up Animated Today if I want to see my animated themes. let me know what you think

On a different note you got your bike sorted yet?

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

hey wb,
am sans bike yet :(
neways, i have never used animated themes so dont know what exactly needs to be done to start an animated theme, can the animated today exe take a parameter or smthing to start a theme, cuz am anyways including a "run an exe on theme change" feature in the next version...

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

The link below should give you some info. The app is a fairly simple one.

I guess the ability to run an exe file or file as an option from the Changer Tool is potentially a viable way forward.

Cheers

WB

http://www.gigabytesol.com/anitoday.htm

[shantzg001]

@wb: I know about the app, but I was saying that I don't know exactly how it works, i.e., when u set a theme using this do u just run the exe along with a parameter (the path of the theme), or is there smthing else to be done..Sorry I cant check the working of this right now as the storage space on my device is critically low right now (< 3 mb). Can you check out the working innards of this app and let me know. I've started making the updates to the prog and will try to include it in the next version if you can find some things out..

PS: oh yeah, I got the bike back, burnt a deep hole in my pocket (12K Indian Rupees = 300$ approx) but its back into a fit shape just like before.. :)

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

$300 to fix the bike? Ouch!! Anyway at least you are back on the road and mobile again.

In terms of your question, which I hope I have interpreted correctly, where Animated Today is concerned, what happens is within the tool there is a SELECT option to choose the animated theme you want to run. Although the animated themes can be stored anywhere on the PPC, they all show up within the Windows Mobile Today Appearance tab option where all themes, whether animated or not, are shown.

You then simply choose a theme to run under AT from the Windows Today themes (Appearance) tab and that's it. If its an animated theme then AT will run the animation; if its a non animated theme then AT will simply show it as normal.

I guess there is hidden content within the AT programme that is responsible for running the animation within an animated theme. Now if you knew what that was you could simply get the Change Tool to select and run any theme. If the elected theme is animated then the Change Tool simply runs the animation.

Don't bust a gut on this as running animated themes is not one of my burning requirements. However the ability to change themes was my key requirement which you seem to have sorted.

Thanks mate. Give me a shout if you need more info. Hope this helps.

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

@wb: By "Windows Mobile Today Appearance tab", do you mean the default today settings page (Today->StartMenu->Settings->TodaySettings)??
And can you attach any animated theme file here please?

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Yes, I mean exactly that. The Select option within AT drops you straight into Windows today, as I explained, then picks up and runs the animation. I will either put up an animated file in a minute or point you to a website with loads on.

I will be back in a tick.

Cheers

WB

Shantz, you have a PM off me.

[shantzg001]

hmmm, wb, it looks like it should work like normal themes...can u just tell me one more thing..for setting any today theme, do u always have to go thru the "animated today" program to the today settings, or u can normally follow the start menu->settings link to choose it and the flash theme is automatically set properly..

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

I can set my themes through either method. i use AT because there is a little icon at the bottom of my screen, saving me a load of taps (I'm a lazy git).

I guess what happens is when you select an animated theme through the Windows Today menu then Animated Today takes over and runs it.

Interesting thing is when your Change Tool kicks in it simply loads in the next non-animated theme.

Hope this helps.

WB

[shantzg001]

The tsk file that i dled from the site u mentioned was like a regular theme file, it just had 3 extra files for animated today and no reg entry etc as such (the three files were the real animation to be done)
I think there can be only two ways in which AT is working:
1. It is always running and whenever it finds the animation file it runs it
2. It is always running and is hooking onto the change theme window and whenever you change a theme, it captures the messages generated and does something with it..
If thw way of working is 2), then we cant do anything abt it..
Anyways, you said that the change tool loads in the next non-animated theme, do u mean it "jumps over" the animated theme? I dont think it should do that. Even if animation doesnt work, it should not jump over the animated theme, it'll indeed try to install the animated theme, which results in either of these 2 things as seen by user:
1. No change in the theme for that particular cycle, so basically u miss a cycle (i.e. if your interval is 1 min, and then you encounter an animated theme, then user will basically see the change in theme after 2 minutes instead of 1 min because one cycle was missed due to animated theme)
2. There is a change in theme (many themes that i dled had normal theme components as well as animated components), so even though animation doesnt work, normal components should result in a change of theme.

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

From the options you present I would say that option 2 is the more likely. I know that in the past where I have had animated themes on the PPC but AT has not been installed then I have had an error message along the lines of " you require xxxyyy to run this file" or such like.

In terms of the behaviour of the Change Tool I think that option 1 is what is occuring. I do know that some themes have taken longer than the set time to change. This would suggest that the tool is meeting up with an animated theme within its cycle, recognises it cant run it and therefore does not initiate a change, ie it sticks with the previous theme, then runs the next theme in sequence when it gets to it.

If you want me to do some proper analysis on this let me know what you need and I will work on it.

Cheers

WB

[200mpx]

It seems that I have find a conflict between this cool app and wisbar advance beta 5. Sometimes the changing of wallpaper (tsk) hangs up device with WA3 b5 installed.

Was late for work today because of that :)

Will try to find more to be sure that it is wa3. With beta 3 everything was ok

[200mpx]

Now with a little testing I can say that it is not WBA3.

The app hang up device when it changes tsk thems and there is another program running at the same time :(

[SeanFromSoCal]

Yeah I've too noticed that it could freeze the device during the theme change. It is most likely attributed to some partially corrupted theme files.

I used a PC-based theme creator software to load each theme up in like a "theme playlist" and while it adds them it tests them. A surprising amount came up as being corrupt. Once I've seperated out those bad themes, its running a lot smoother.

[200mpx]

Unfortunately I have no possibility to test my themes :( but all of them were downloaded from pocketpcthemes.com

For instance it is very sad but I can not use this cool app because of device freezes :(

[shantzg001]

Hmm, 200mpx, can u attach any such theme files for which u r sure that the device is freezing, (if possible attach more than 1)..I'll take a look..

@Sean: Am not sure how that software predicts whether a theme is corrupted. Can u also pls attach such a file?

[200mpx]

Here is all my themes.

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Do u have prob with all these files? If not, then pls point out the specific ones, it wont be possible for me to go thru all of em..

@others: Updates almost done, testing on emulator. Dont have my phone for a cpl of days so cant test on device, maybe will release a beta version for u guys to test tmrw...

[200mpx]

I'm not sure about skins that causes problemes. I paid attention to the fact of freeze, not to the skin on which it happened.

But I'm almost sure about StarFormation, SpaceRing and SpaceTown. Try these ones.

[shantzg001]

@200mpx:ok, will let u know..btw ur request feature of "period-based" rotation will be there in the next release

[SeanFromSoCal]

Well Shantz,

I loaded all my themes onto Pocket Theme Manager 2 and it has a scrollable list like a "playlist". On the right side there is a preview window. When I move from theme to theme, some themes do not update the preview window. It will still show the background image from the previously viewed theme but I do notice the system colors are changed to a new spectrum.

I consider these bad themes. When I ever I place them on the PPC and switch them they will get "stuck". I cannot switch the theme with the PPC Theme Manager and sometimes even with Setting Today.

I even believe my Windows Mobile Green rom-installed theme is "bad". It gets stuck when I switch to it. And when it is applied and I have your theme changer running to change the theme it will change the background image, and system colors, but not update the Start Menu background. It continues to show the green spiral. Only when I delete all the theme-related GIF/JPG in the Windows folder then it'll change the Start Menu bg properly.

Attached is an example of a bad theme I found on pocketpcthemes.com

[200mpx]

SeanFromSoCal

Could you please verify my themes?

[shantzg001]

Added v1.50 to post #1.
Changelog:
1.50 - 29-July-07 ->MAJOR UPDATE
i) Added option to specify a mask to avoid files having that mask
ii) Added option to specify the time period during which the mask has to be considered
iii) Added code to ensure that if mask is empty and a period is chosen, then no rotation is done during that period.
iv) Added option to run a user specified file after every cycle interval.
v) Fixed bug where the jpg and png options were not working earlier.
vi) Clicking help button now opens help in Pocket Internet Explorer.
vii) Fixed many more subtle bugs that manifest themselves and very peculiar situations.
viii) Optimized the code a bit at a few places.
ix) Also see "Known Issues" section above.
x) Removed the "append to previous info" box as now the app remembers old info correctly.

[wacky.banana]

Hello mate,

I see you have been busy again. Will test this later. Am rebuilding my phone for the 3rd time following an upgrade to WM6. Trying to resolve a number of issues at the moment.

Will come back to you once I have tested it.

All you have to do now is to whip the vibrate job into shape and we are sorted (no rush mate, only jesting). :)

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

wb, check ur timing thread...

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: I cudnt find anything wrong with ur theme files but Ill go over them once more today..

@SeanFromSoCal:I think I know why u get the prob of "stuck" pictures. I had a couple of those themes as well. There can be two types of probs:
1. Pictures do not change but colors change.
2. Main picture changes but start menu doesnt change.
The WM natively has a bug that sometimes causes these situations for some particular themes, but in my program I've already taken care of that. The theme alien itself seems to be ok but might cause probs for other themes later on (if using WM native prog, my prog can take care of this as well.). Lemme run a few more tests and ill get back to u on this..

PS: Your program might be saying that are corrupt because there is indeed some info missing from the colors registry setting but my program takes care of that as well as most of the themes are not properly made in this regard (WM native program will also take care of this situation and thats why I was saying that my program now performs almost same as WM native program in this regard)...

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

YHPM.

WB

[200mpx]

Shantz

It's seems that my problem is related to the 5th beta of WisBar Advance 3. Have made a hard reset today and restore my old backup with beta 3 of WBA3 - all day I use your 1.5 version and everything is ok!

[BigDede]

Hi Shantz

I was trying your software on my HTC X7500 WM6 device.
To resume, I use SPD Diary which is my main today plugin.
SPD Diary has many native tabs (calendar/contacts,notes etc ...) and provide the option to create custom tabs by user.

User can add any plugin inside these custom tabs which result actually in having many virtual Today screen (one for Calendar, one for contacts, .... plus the extra cutom tabs where I have for example PhoneAlarm, SPD Weather, Resco Explorer Plugin, SPD Backup Plugin etc ...)

My idea was to keep one custom tab in SPD Diary empty, where I can display the photos slideshow using your program ...

I followed your instructions on the first page of this topic, and when I clicked on the start application link, my device Freezes.

By the Way i'm using Wisbar Advance 3 beta5 as well.

Any hope to get this work???

[shantzg001]

@200mpx, bigdede: I dont use WA, so cant really "debug" it that way. I cud install it to debug but right now i have just abt 3 MB of storage space on device..Anyways, I'll take a look at the WA site to see if I can garner some info about its working, see its changelog etc, maybe that gives some clue, otherwise will install and debug after a few days when I reflash my phone...

[200mpx]

shantzg001

Thank you in advance for taking look at wba3!

Another issue: it seems that the period of non-cycling if I left mask empty does not work. Here is my settings and on my wake up today I find out that the wallpaper is changed

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Update on ver 1_5. Now that I have it working I set it up to run Animated Today as the chosen exe file. What I was expecting to happen was that the tool would kick in AT, which itself would either have been preset to run an animated theme or allow you the option to go into AT as normal and set an animate theme.

What I got was an error message as follows:"Fatal Error: an application has prevented AT from closing in a timely fashion". I have no idea what's going on here; however I will do some more testing and let you know.

WB

[daxliniere]

Maaaaan, I still can't get it to work on my Hermes :( :(

WB, can you please send (or attach) 2 or 3 images that you use so I can test that it's not my images that are making it not work?

If set to 30sec interval, the screen does *something*, but nothing changes. (Yes, I have left it for a while to make sure it hasn't, by pure fluke, picked the exact same image again :) )

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Man, I got lucky that I investigated the bug reported by you today BECAUSE........the bug is something that will manifest itself only on the last day of the month...:)
Anyways, I have got hold of the bug and will send out a release with the fix.. I'll wait for a cpl of days to see if there are any other things to be incorporated before putting in the fix.
Meanwhile, you need not worry as the bug will vanish by itself tomorrow,i.e., 1st of august.. (See I've created a magical app, that has its own kind of "disappearing act" :) lol )

[shantzg001]

@wb: cant say anything abt the improper closing of AT right now but my app only starts the app and doesnt close it (Im running oxios memory cleaner on each cycle and it works fine and the dialog remains there even after my app exits.) lemme know if you find smthing else..

@dax: Can you attach a screenshot of ur settings and also paste the registry values contained in "HKCU\Software\ShantzTodayChanger"?

[wacky.banana]

Dax,

Will come back to you in a minute on how mine is setup.

Shantz,

Like I said earlier I'm not that fussed about the exe file add-on although you running a memory cleaner is a good idea. Will let you know if I have other issues.

Cheers,

WB

[wacky.banana]

Dax,

I have attached a zip of some of my themes. I also had some trouble with ver 1.5 of the changer but eventually got it to work.

First thing is if you have a storage card (micro sd) on your hermes then create a sub directory on it (call it dax_themes). Put all of your themes in this directory.

Next double click on the Shantz changer zip file you downloaded earlier. You will be left with a number of files, the most important being ShantzTodayChanger and TdyChangerCfg.

Double click on the ShantzTodayChanger file and you will get a further 2 files called StartTdy Chngr and StopTdyChngr.

Take the whole Shantz directory and sit it on your main memory on the Hermes.

Next click on the TdyChangerCfg file. This is the one that is most important and causes the most problems. Configure the file as follows:

- Chose .tsk as your theme type.

- Next, underneath the .gif circle is a little tick box (very hard to see). Put a tick in this box, then move down one and o the left to a greyed out box with 3 dots in it.

- Click on this and find the directory in which you just put your themes (ie the one we called Dax_Themes from earlier). Important note: when you get to this directory you MUST clik on a file within it for the tool to accept the directory choice.

- Move down to the box alongside the words "cycle time in seconds". In that box type in 60,, ie 60 seconds (this is so we can make sure the tool is working ok).

- Important note: click on the APPLY greyed out box to fix the settings , NOT the x button of the tool. You will see a messag saying "Shantz Changer Set", or something similar.

- Exit the applicatin using the X button and the themes should now work.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

wb:u explained it quite well. I must that is even better than what I have written :)
But yes, a couple of things in that:
1.
You will be left with a number of files, the most important being ShantzTodayChanger and TdyChangerCfg.
Actually there are 2 more files that are important.
i) gsgetfile.dll -> If you unzip on PPC, you might not be able to see it in explorer depending on ur settings, so be sure to move the entire unzipped folder and not just the two exe files to whereve u want.
ii) readme.htm: well, not having this will not stop the changer from functioning, but the help button will open pocket IE with a blank page :)

2.
Double click on the ShantzTodayChanger file and you will get a further 2 files called StartTdy Chngr and StopTdyChngr.
No need for doing this for the automatic change.
I have left the shortcut code in there just so that if you so desire some time to change the theme\image instantly without waiting for the cycle, then u can just click on the StartTdyChngr shortcut to do that instantly (The interval counter will restart at this point). So you need to click on ShantzTodayChanger.exe only if you want this functionality of instant theme change.

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Re your response above, just discovered what the start and stop files are for! :)

Anyway do I recall you saying some time in the past that the tool will survive soft resets? if yes then I had a situation yesterday when the tool did not restart after Spb backup closed down application threads prior to backup (Spb Backup does this if you tell it to, prior to a full backup being kicked off).

I am still looking into this so don't go rushing off making any changes just yet. Will let you know after I have done some more testing. Howver do let me know if you designed th tool as I have described else I will be testing for nothing. :)

Cheers

WB

PS: Feel free to use my explanatory words in my previous post in your help file if you think it will help.

[shantzg001]

@wb: I've already updated the help file a bit for the next version, taking cue from ur explanation.. :)
Moreover, abt the soft reset thing, SPB closing down threads doesnt matter for the app as it is not continuously running. BUT if the closing down started at the moment the app had started to cycle the theme, then there would definitely be a problem because it might be closed down before it is able to set a notfication for the next cycle..

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

I have been testing Spb backup since upgrading to WM6 to confirm whether it works or not. As I said earlier one of the features of Spb backup is that it will close down threads and applications before backup, which makes sense.

I have very short cycle times in my changer so the chances of me hitting the Change tool app through testing as it has been in the process of changing themes have been high.

I guess the simple way out is to have an addendum in the help file that explains this phenomenom to people. What I have done is to setup a shortcut on my Tytn PPC desktop, click on that, and 2 secs later Changer tool is reset.

My other question is this: if the change tool is setting up a notification for when the next change is due, I guess that notification will be set within the system notification queue? If yes does the tool clear out all previous notifications to stop the notification queue from being overloaded and locking up the PPC?

Thanks for all your hard work on this tool, btw. Much appreciated.

Any more news on the vibrate thing?

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

wb, it deletes the old notification and then adds the new one so there is no cluttering the notifications queue. There is another feature where u can "reschedule" the old notification itself and point to a new time, but during internal testing before releasing 1.0, I found out that this was quite buggy and sometimes such "rescheduled" notifications didnt work. So I followed this method of first deleting the old notification and then adding the new one..
BTW, I'll add the issue to either known issues section or end notes section in the help.
Abt the vibrate thing, I should have smthing for u arnd weekend time..weekdays right now are too tiring..all these rains cause a lot of traffic jams and its gets quite late by the time I reach home.

[wacky.banana]

Ok cheers. Whenever you are ready.

WB

[200mpx]

shantzg001

Today is 3rd but I still have a bag with no timed stop of cycling when I leave mask line clear :( Or I did not understand well and we shall wait to the next release for fix. As I undertood it is a bag that is related to the precise date

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: I guess I'll debug again, but no sweat, weekend is here, so will put out the next version asap...
Meanwhile, can you try to configure the app again from start and lemme know the results..DOnt worry, am on the problem, and you won't have to wait much longer...

[sathya]

Hi Shantz

Anything to smile abt for win2003se users???i am desperately waiting..ur application is just too good.if u find urself free..plz make it work on win2003se..thank u

$athya

[200mpx]

can you try to configure the app again from start and lemme know the results

Have tried. The result is the same - the program do not want to stop cycling.

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Please download the attached zip file. It contains a new version of ShantzTodayChanger.exe. Replace ur existing file with this one. I think this should fix the problem. Let me know if its ok so that I can release it in next version.
Thnx for reporting the bug, it turned out that I had left a major loophole in my period selection algo...

[shantzg001]

@Sathya: Am sorry dude, but it seems that writing this for 2003SE wont be possible. I tried quite a bit but a LOT of code in there is WM5/6 specific and doesnt work on 2003SE. A version for 2003SE, at this point, would mean writing a new app almost from scratch...

[200mpx]

:(

They still change :(

[sathya]

@Sathya: Am sorry dude, but it seems that writing this for 2003SE wont be possible. I tried quite a bit but a LOT of code in there is WM5/6 specific and doesnt work on 2003SE. A version for 2003SE, at this point, would mean writing a new app almost from scratch...

yes shantz i understand.thanks for ur reply..maybe its hight time i should go for a new pda..sorry for troubling u.

$athya

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Thats strange...I've tested and retested the new exe again and again on my wizard as well as the emulator and it is behaving perfectly, that is the images do not change during the specified time. I also tested with putting in exactly ur settings..Are you sure u r not missing something? Can you list the steps you performed after downloading the new file that i attached in post # 132..

[wacky.banana]

yes shantz i understand.thanks for ur reply..maybe its hight time i should go for a new pda..sorry for troubling u.

$athya

Sathya: New PDA? Go on, you know you want to! :)

200mph: What device are you trying to load this on and as Shantz says, do you want to walk us through what you are doing?

Dax: No response from you since we posted up instructions on how to set this up. Is it now working on your device or not? Would be good to know how you are getting on so we can get comfort that the tool is stable/working ok/ is easily installed.

Cheers

WB

[daxliniere]

Ahhhhh shit.
I just wrote out a post and then something went funny and I lost it.
hmmmph... back to the old drawing/writing board. :(

(P.S. I will write after dinner)

[daxliniere]

Firstly; WB, thanks for those tsk files!

They have proven that tsk files can be rotated on my ppc. They work great.
However, here's soemthing I've noticed;
1) I set to my default theme in Settings|Today|Select Theme
2) I start ShantzTodayChanger and set it up for tsk files, located in \Storage Card\aaaDax
3) These work fine, BUT, the graphic under the Start menu dropdown is from the default theme!

... oh wait a sec... hang on...

..I'll be back

[daxliniere]

aaaaaHAA!

Okay, so I've kinda worked out what crazy things are going on, but not exactly how to fix it.
It appears that when I have certain a theme running, ShantzTodayChanger can't place wallpapers on top of it.

Example, if I have set to my service providers default theme (Why? because it's blue and nicer than the default WM6 olive green thingy) it doesn't work.
As in, every 30 secs (or whatever interval) you can tell it's doing SOMETHING, but the wallpaper doesn't change. This is the fault I've been experiencing ever since day one! :rolleyes:

If I change to a different theme (and there are more than one that prevent STC from working), such as the Rocks theme you might have seen here, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=315685) it works fine!

So, doe anyone have any ideas how attached .tsk file can be modified so as not to obscure STC?
(Alternatively, does anyone have this basic blue theme that doesn't kill STC?)

Thanks guys, it's greatly appreciated

[daxliniere]

Hooray for Shantz!
A program built to my exact request!

How's that for service?!? :)

Hi-5 Shantz!


All the best,
Dax.

[shantzg001]

It appears that when I have certain a theme running, ShantzTodayChanger can't place wallpapers on top of it.

Example, if I have set to my service providers default theme (Why? because it's blue and nicer than the default WM6 olive green thingy) it doesn't work.
As in, every 30 secs (or whatever interval) you can tell it's doing SOMETHING, but the wallpaper doesn't change. This is the fault I've been experiencing ever since day one!

Hmm, dax, I took a look at the theme. Are you sure you are using the latest version of ShantzTodayChanger.exe? Because this kind of theme could have prevented STC from working properly till version 1.31 but I fixed this in v1.32 and from that onwards it should work fine...
Anyways, I'll put it on my device and check it out just in case...

[shantzg001]

UPDATE: Dax, I owe u an apology man..I just checked in the code..Actually u r right abt that theme not allowing wallpaper change thing. Actually I made the fix for only "tsk" option in 1.32, the jpg, gif and png options still have that bug..I'll fix this in the next version...Wait for tmrw..:)

[daxliniere]

UPDATE: Dax, I owe u an apology man..

No worries, mate! Whenever you can :)

[sathya]

Sathya: New PDA? Go on, you know you want to! :)

200mph: What device are you trying to load this on and as Shantz says, do you want to walk us through what you are doing?

Dax: No response from you since we posted up instructions on how to set this up. Is it now working on your device or not? Would be good to know how you are getting on so we can get comfort that the tool is stable/working ok/ is easily installed.

Cheers

WB

i am having o2 xda II mini running on wim 2003SE..its not working..

[shantzg001]

Uploaded 1.51 to post #1. ChangeLog:
1.51 - 05-Aug-07 ->
i) Fixed a bug which prevented the "time period" option from working properly.
ii) Fixed a bug where wallpapers might not change if certain particular themes were installed before change cycle happens
iii) Fixed a bug where the time period option was not remembered properly by the GUI.
iv) Added option to allow user to choose whether to run the user specified file (exe\lnk) after every cycle interval only if there was a change in image\theme during that cycle.
v) Made a few small changes to the GUI to prevent users from making incorrect settings.

[200mpx]

Му device is HTC Trinity.

Have tried one more time with small periods of cycling - it works! No theme rotation but it is not a real stop but the same theme rotation - I can see the screen renewal :(.

Will test tomorrow with long period of cycling cause yesterday I have probleme with long periods.

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Actually its not the same theme rotation. I had two options to implement the thing that u wanted:
1. Run the app as scheduled but dont change the theme.
2. Dont run the app at all for the period.
I went with option 1. So, during the period set by you, the app runs, checks whether there is any image\theme available to be changed, then quits because it doesnt find any suitable theme due the "null" file mask..So, you will definitely see a screen refresh, but it doesnt run the theme application during the period. Choosing Option1 was necessary because of two things:
1. Seamless integration with the "file mask" thing otherwise i would have to create two separate "time period" logics.
2. I wanted to give the option to run the executable independently of the image\theme change...

[daxliniere]

Hey Shantz,
Thanks for working on a new version (1.51), but it doesn't work at all now! Neither themes nor wallpapers are rotated, even if I use a known working start theme.
..hang on. wait a sec...
...Uhoh...
I just changed back to 1.50 and it doesn't work either! Maybe 1.51 has corrupted some registry settings?
Under which tree I find those settings so I can delete them and start fresh?

[daxliniere]

Found registry key, deleted it, now 1.50 works with themes and pictures

[daxliniere]

Hmmm...
I stopped cycling, then overwrote 1.50 files with 1.51 and now it seems to work!
but.... still broken with the blue default theme I posted yesterday, only works with the same themes that worked with 1.50

I'm sure I can find another theme that uses those same colours. (It would be nice to have 2, both identical except for white today screen text or balck today screen text)

[daxliniere]

Turns out there is an identical theme that works:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=308045&page=7

YAY! Rotating wallpapers! :)

Thanks Shantz!!

[shantzg001]

dax, good that u found another theme, but it should have worked with ur older theme as well..I tested it here..oh well, ill take another look..

[200mpx]

shantzg001

I see

It seems that it also :) works with long periods. But it is very strange - yesterday night it was not the case. Will check tonight one more time

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

One fix you need to do for the next version of the tool is to find a way of ensuring that the bottom of the screen of the tool, ie from the section where you set the number of seconds required for rotation downwards, is not obscured by the virtual keyboard of the Tytn.

I don't ever use the hardware keyboard so I have to guess that what I am typing in is what I intended every time I use the tool.

This is a very minor point; however as you have now got into the habit of development releases I thought I would bring this one up. How are you getting on with the requirement to be able to mix file types and get the tool to rotate randomly/seamlessly between, say, tsk and bmp files?

Let me know when you want us to test 1.5.1. after you have taken on board Dax's comments.

Cheers mate, and thanks for a good job.

WB

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: am glad its working for u now :)

@wb: dax's comments are already incorporated in 1.51 (along with a lot of bug fixes) so would suggest you to move to 1.51. Abt the kbd thing, I know how it can be solved (just read on xda-dev a few days ago in a another thread) but will keep that thing in pipeline for some time later on..
rotating b/w themes and files and also providing randomisation options will be the next thing I target but might take sm time, as I'm trying my luck at another project right now which is going to be much bigger than the current one ;) and moreover b4 any more updates here, I have to make u a script for the vibra thingy..

[200mpx]

shantzg001

I'm realy sorry and confused but the app doesn't want to stop cycling if I mention period from 23:00 to 9:00 or similar. This morning everything was ok with period from 9:00 to 13:00

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

1.51 is doing strange things ie the top and bottom bars of the screen don't change colour in line with the theme. Just gone back to 1.50 which did not have this problem but now has. I guess 1.51 has changed a registry entry somewhere?

This behavior does not hit every theme while before I went to 1.51 I did not have this problem with any of the themes that I run.

WB

There's more; the Start menu in the drop down themes have changed as well and bear no resemblance to what they were before I installed 1.51. Very strange.

[shantzg001]

Hmmm, seems 1.51 isn't working that well..I'll go over the changes done when I get back home...
@200mpx: I do indeed cover the situation where end time is on the next day, well, ill debug this again to see if I left anything out...but yeah, another thing. If you configure the app with such a config (e.g. start time 23:00, end time 09:00), then the app will start taking this time into consideration only when the "start time" is reached today.
e.g. -> If I configure the app on 6th aug at 08:00, with the time values of 23:00 to 09:00, then the app may still cycle the image before between 08:00 to 09:00 on 6th of aug. Once the clock reached 23:00 on 6th of august, after that you wont have any problems, and then everyday the app follows the cycle appropriately..Does that make sense? (I'm too clumsy in explaining things :D ) Let me know if this is what you are facing...
EDIT: I think I found the reason for the problem. I'll update you when I reach home and see in the code, but I think the problem might appear between 23:59:59 and 12:00:00, so if you have a time period of 23:00 and 09:00, the app will miss the cycles fine between 23:00 and 23:59:59 but then from 0:00 to 09:00 it will indeed change the image..

There's more; the Start menu in the drop down themes have changed as well and bear no resemblance to what they were before I installed 1.51. Very strange.
Didn't quite understand that, can you explain a bit more.
Moreover, when you say that the bars dont change in line with the theme, do you mean:
1. The bars dont change color
OR
2. The bars change color but the colors are not in sync with the other theme colors

Meanwhile, I'll also suggest you to try one thing. Make sure you are using all the new files that came with 1.51. Open TdyChagerCfg.exe, then press "Stop Cycling" and then reconfigure the app fully again. The app might give you problems if you just replace the files and let it do its work without reconfiguring...

[200mpx]

Hmmm, seems 1.51 isn't working that well..I'll go over the changes done when I get back home...
@200mpx: I do indeed cover the situation where end time is on the next day, well, ill debug this again to see if I left anything out...but yeah, another thing. If you configure the app with such a config (e.g. start time 23:00, end time 09:00), then the app will start taking this time into consideration only when the "start time" is reached today.
e.g. -> If I configure the app on 6th aug at 08:00, with the time values of 23:00 to 09:00, then the app may still cycle the image before between 08:00 to 09:00 on 6th of aug. Once the clock reached 23:00 on 6th of august, after that you wont have any problems, and then everyday the app follows the cycle appropriately..Does that make sense? (I'm too clumsy in explaining things :D ) Let me know if this is what you are facing...

I see, but it is not the case 'cause I configure app at least 10 minutes before the time of stopping.

EDIT: I think I found the reason for the problem. I'll update you when I reach home and see in the code, but I think the problem might appear between 23:59:59 and 12:00:00, so if you have a time period of 23:00 and 09:00, the app will miss the cycles fine between 23:00 and 23:59:59 but then from 0:00 to 09:00 it will indeed change the image...

It seems that is it. Can not say more precisely for a moment 'cause never pay attention to the time, but will try to check tonight.

[wacky.banana]

Didn't quite understand that, can you explain a bit more.
Moreover, when you say that the bars dont change in line with the theme, do you mean:
1. The bars dont change color
OR
2. The bars change color but the colors are not in sync with the other theme colors...

Shantz, Its both. Sometimes the bars stay the same colour as, say, the previous theme; other times it changes colour but those colours bear no resemblance or relationship to the theme just loaded.


Meanwhile, I'll also suggest you to try one thing. Make sure you are using all the new files that came with 1.51. Open TdyChagerCfg.exe, then press "Stop Cycling" and then reconfigure the app fully again. The app might give you problems if you just replace the files and let it do its work without reconfiguring...

Yep, done all that. I rebooted several times to make sure that the PPC was clear. Like I said its almost as if 1.51 changed a registry setting or 2 somewhere.

On a different note I stress tested the tool yesterday as I have been having a few problems with lockups. I now know why the tool won't change themes if you set the cycle time for 10 secs or less. Basicaly the tool changes the theme, then redraws the screen, loading up any icons one might have there. So in my case the theme changes first, then a few seconds later my icons for Spb mobile shell load in. That whole process, e-2-e, takes at least 10 secs so I guess what the tool is doing is not making the changes while, somehow, recording that it is, if you get my drift.

What I did notice though was that after about 30 cycles the device would then lock up and I would end up rebooting. I have suspicioins around the notification queues, hence my question to you on that the other day. Just so you are aware I set the cycle time for 20 secs, good enought to see what would happen over a load of cycles.

Jus in case it was active synch undertaking some skullduggery I deleted all AS settings then ran the changer to see what would happen. Lockups occurred round about the same time as before. When I stop the tool from cycling the lockups ceased.

Just thought I would make you aware.

Cheers

WB

[shantzg001]

yeah, if you have a lot of things on ur today screen, it might take a while to refresh but:
1. the time taken can't be controlled by the software, because for that i just send out a refresh message and rest is taken care of windows mobile itself.
2. Anticipating something like this only, I had included code to avoid running multiple instances of the changer, that is why u dont see the change happening..
abt the lock ups, the reason is not notifications. However, it might be the code added for running the exe (whether u have the option for this set or not0, so if u can just try the same loading thing with the version which didnt have the exe code and let me know the results, it'd be good..

[shantzg001]

@200mpx: Can you test the attached ShantzTodayChanger.exe. I think this should solve the time period problem. Just replace ur existing file with this one and reconfigure..

@wb: I also tried running the app at 15 seconds interval...Had lockups after abt half an hour or so..but didnt see anything after increasing the interval for abt 2 minutes, but then i didnt observe it for much time..personally i keep the setting at somewhere close to 30 minutes generally, so didnt notice it earlier..
However, a lot of debugging and code review hasnt turned up anything so far..Maybe if you run it so frequently it clashes with smthing else...

[200mpx]

shantzg001

Seems to be working fine! :)

[shantzg001]

shantzg001

Seems to be working fine!
Glad to hear that :) .. Will merge this in the next release along with any other things that I change...

[CWKJ]

@Shantz

Does not seems to work on O2 Flame?

What should I look out for? Registries? Settings? Etc?

[shantzg001]

@CWKJ: It works on O2 Flame, cuz I helped someone else with an XDA Flame a few days ago to use the app...
It'd help if you can paste a screenshot of your settings screen here...
Also, if possible, post the values of the registry keys under HKCU\Software\ShantzTodayChanger

[CWKJ]

Dumped using TotalCommander

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ShantzTodayChanger]
"bgOrTheme"=dword:00000001
"checkExe"=dword:00000000
"checkPath"=dword:00000001
"checkStTime"=dword:00000000
"exeMask"=dword:00000000
"fileMask"=""
"gap"=dword:00000258
"index"=dword:00000003
"inputPath"="\\Storage Card\\Pictures\\DadBd07"
"notifHandle"=dword:30000031
"runOnChange"=""

[wacky.banana]

Glad to hear that :) .. Will merge this in the next release along with any other things that I change...

Shantz,

Only just got back to this:been busy. I guess the option is to wait for your next release then?

WB

[200mpx]

CWKJ

it is impossible to rotate wallpapers with period of 1 sec! Put at least 120 sec. Plus I think that it is not wise to store wallpapers on storage card 'cause storage card wakes up slower than the system. Plus it is not necessary at all to mention app itself in line of app to be run.

[CWKJ]

CWKJ

it is impossible to rotate wallpapers with period of 1 sec! Put at least 120 sec. Plus I think that it is not wise to store wallpapers on storage card 'cause storage card wakes up slower than the system. Plus it is not necessary at all to mention app itself in line of app to be run.
I have tried the default 600 sec before changing to 1 sec. Will try 120 sec. But how low can it go?

Also tried without the EXE part before trying with the EXE.

Both did not work.

Edit: Tried 120 sec using Main Memory and did not work.

[shantzg001]

CWKJ: Theoretically, the program supports min. 1 sec but practically (since today screen takes a while to refresh and nthing can be done abt this windows mobile limitation), it works fine with min. times arnd 10 sec to 20 sec (depending on how cluttered ur today screen is)
Anyways, ur settings screen shot does not match up with the registry values pasted by you. Infact, both are completely opposite...
And looking at ur registry values, it seems that the theme changer is working after all (since index and notifHandle have non-zero values). Am sure u r missing out on some step. Either try all the steps given in first post (or in the readme.htm included in zip file) again, and if that doesnt work pls list down exactly step-by-step what u did, and post the settings (registry as well as screenshot) again since last ones dont seem correct. Also post the list of contents of the folder where u kept the shantztodaychanger.exe and the list of contents of the folder where ur images\themes are kept.

[CWKJ]

Got it work, here is some observation and feedback, but I maybe wrong.

1. All my previous try maybe wrong, so I deleted everything including registry and start clean.
2. Before cfg, jpg in today must be the jpg in the tsk, if I using some other jpg for background, it didn't work.
3. If I start straight cfg using jpg from anywhere, didn't work.
4. So, I cfg with jpg in same directory, it works.
5. Then go back to step 3, it works.
6. Initially it didn't cycle at 10 sec, only cycle when I refresh the today manually. Then suddenly it cycle within 10 sec. Cannot explain this.

One question, what should be the jpg size that fits O2 Flame?

[shantzg001]

CWKJ: I didnt understand fully wht u wanted to say but there is no limitation in the program abt the image being loaded as today theme during configuration. Can you tell me these things again:
post the settings (registry as well as screenshot) again since last ones dont seem correct. Also post the list of contents of the folder where u kept the shantztodaychanger.exe and the list of contents of the folder where ur images\themes are kept.
So that I can try to help you..
Moreocer, abt the image size I think (since flame is a vga ppc), a size of smwhere arnd 640x580 shud be ok..but dunno for sure..check it out..

[CWKJ]

Anyway it is working now.

My cycling jpgs in Default and Specified Directory are the same.

You program always put into same directory before & after my delete action.

But let me explain in a different way.

Scene 1 (Didn't Work)
1. Deleted everything including registry.
2. Set any tsk in Today Screen.
3. Change the background jpg to something else.
3. Start cfg cycling jpgs
4. Nothing happens.

Scene 2 (Didn't Work)
1. Deleted everything including registry.
2. Set any tsk in Today Screen.
3. Start cfg cycling jpgs in specified directory.
4. Nothing happens.

Scene 3 (Works)
1. Deleted everything including registry.
2. Set any tsk in Today Screen.
3. Start cfg cycling jpgs in specified directory.
4. Nothing happens
5. Start cfg cycling jpgs in same/default directory.
6. 10 sec cycling did not work, only cycle when I refresh the today manually. Then suddenly it cycle within 10 sec. Cannot explain this.
7. Start cfg cycling jpgs in specified directory.
8. 10 sec cycling did not work, only cycle when I refresh the today manually. Then suddenly it cycle within 10 sec. Cannot explain this.

Scene 4 (Works)
1. Deleted everything including registry.
2. Set any tsk in Today Screen.
3. Start cfg cycling jpgs in same/default directory.
4. 10 sec cycling did not work, only cycle when I refresh the today manually. Then suddenly it cycle within 10 sec. Cannot explain this.

[200mpx]

shantzg001

It seems that we have another probleme with stopping cycling. As I can see (will check one more time tonight) the app do not want to start cycling again in the morning - two morning in the raw I have to restart it manually :(

[BigDede]

Hi Shantz

Im using SPB Diary which as you might know divide your today screen in different tabs (calendar, messages, notes, etc ... and custom tabs).
You can create as many custom tabs as you want, and inside each of them you can add many plugins.

Actually when I go to start -> settings -> Personal -> Today -> Items
I just activate SPB Diary plugin and deactivate all other.
Then from the SPB Diary menu I can select the plugins I want to add in a specific custom tab.

What I want to do is to create a custom tab where I will run only ShantzTodayChanger so I have pictures only in this tab and not in all other.

The problem is that ShantzTodayChanger can not be selected as a today plugin so I can not run it from a specific tab,
but need to be run from the \program files\ folder and will apply to all tabs (as it applies to the main today screen).

Do you think there is a workaround to what I need to do or it is helpless??

Thks in advance for you reply :)

[200mpx]

ShantzTodayChanger is not a today plugin, so you can not use it in Spb Diary

[BigDede]

ShantzTodayChanger is not a today plugin, so you can not use it in Spb Diary

I know it's not, that's what I said in my previous post
"The problem is that ShantzTodayChanger can not be selected as a today plugin so I can not run it from a specific tab "
but maybe Shantz have a tip so I can make it works the way I want

[200mpx]

shantzg001

I was wrong - app works fine. Seems to be my fault

[shantzg001]

@CWKJ: Currently I cant comment on why u r seeing these issues as another person is running it on an XDA Flame without any issues, but anyways if I ever come across something, I'll PM you..

@BigDede: I've never used SPB Diary but I'm afraid, from the description you give, it will be impossible for the changer to do what you want because of two reasons:
1. It is not a today plugin as you have already noticed, so I dont think it can be attached to a tab.
2. Even if I make a today plugin out of it, it wont work for it, because it changes the today background image, so you wont be able to change the background of just one particular tab...

[BigDede]

Shantz

Thks for your reply

[shantzg001]

Uploaded v1.52 to post #1.. Changelog:
1.52 - 11-Aug-07 ->
i) Fixed another bug for the "time period" option.
ii) Made a little optimization in the code.

Guys, the updates might be a bit slow for a few weeks...got some work to do in my offline life...

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Thanks for the updated file. Will run with it and let you know how I get on.

Cheers

WB

[illcaptive]

How it going shantz,

I am using the app and it works good but if i lock my keys and press the power button on my hermes when it does the .tsk change and its off the phone will not awake. i have to soft reset it. what can i do to get this to work.

thanks

[shantzg001]

@illcaptive: Have you recently changed you ROM or made some other changes to your phone? Because I've never seen this thing happen so far. Which ROM are you using btw. and maybe wacky.banana can share something abt this as I dont have a hermes and he has done quite a lot of testing with my app on his hermes..

[illcaptive]

I have the att hermes rom i am running spb mobile shell and spb pocket plus but the .tsk are normal not extended. but it is wierd

[illcaptive]

Ok the problem is if the theme changes more then once while the device is off that is when it locks up.

[wacky.banana]

Ok the problem is if the theme changes more then once while the device is off that is when it locks up.

Illcaptive,

I used to have this problem with the phone not coming back on. It is a separate issue from the lockups that do happen if the changer rotates for long enough, which Shantz is aware of.

Do a search on this forum for fake server. Basically the phone not coming back on is down to the way active synch is setup. Once you find the fake server thread you will understand what to do. Search under the name of Mike Channon, if you can't find it; he first identified this problem on here.

Once done please let us know how you get on.

Cheers

WB

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

1.5.2 seems to be running ok so far. Have not had chance to stress test it as I did for 1.5.0

Will come back to you as soon as I have done that.

Cheers

WB

[CWKJ]

@CWKJ: Currently I cant comment on why u r seeing these issues as another person is running it on an XDA Flame without any issues, but anyways if I ever come across something, I'll PM you..It is working fine for about 1 day.

I have stop the cycling as there was one night when it hangs, it seems that the phone does not go into certain mode where power consumption is low and to my horror, when I woke up the next morning, it drains of 40% of my power.

It happens only once. I am not able to repeat it.

Maybe also due to other things that I have on today screen (some power/mem status software that download here, my own HTC Home Plugin and Device Lock) and daily M$ alarm that was always set and also a Phone number Monitor software.

I sort of understand how you cycle the picture, because I have found that you are using STWATER.GIF & TDYWATER.GIF in the Windows directory. Guess it consume too much resource with my today plugins and I have also set the Sys File Cache to 8MB instead of 0MB.

You might not possibly see my problem.

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

As promised I have been stress testing 1.52 for most of this evening (approx 6 hours). The environment for testing was running a series of .tsk files at 20 second and, later, 15 second intervals on my Tytn (the tool won't change themes at 10 secs or below, as I reported earlier).

In operation it appeared more robust than 1.51 although there was the occasional lockup. On investigation it appeared that a utility I use called ilauncher was conflicting with the changer. Deinstalling iLauncher proved to be the difference and the changer tool has worked consistently so far since then (I will continue testing to see why there is a conflict with iLauncher).

The changer even survived me updating my radio rom. I booted back up after upgrading the radio rom and on it went.

2 issues came up during testing:

1) When I tapped the START key at the top of the screen, the START dropdown menu colours were stuck on Green, ie reflecting the colours of the last theme in operation before the reboot. Put another way this dropdown menu refused to change colour in line with the colour scheme of the prevailing theme.

Despite soft booting and several times the only solution was to manually choose the windows default theme. Doing this several times seemed to eventually resolve the problem. You might want to investigate this.

2) The changer will occassionaly stop cycling for no reason, even though no other applications are running. The only way out is to soft boot and then set the changer again. It does take a while for this to happen though, say several dozen cycles. However its a problem to be aware of.

Strangely enough cycling seems to stop at the same theme. Now whether there is a problem with that theme (one of Dax's) or it is mere coincidence I can't say at this time. I will continue testing and let you know later (sorry but its nearly 4am and I am knackered).

So in summary 1.52 seems much improved over the previous release. If we can resolve the issues highlighted above then we might just be getting there.

WB

PS: Please note that the only process the changer won't survive at the moment is when Spb backup runs. Even though I have Spb Backup set to leave processes running whilst backing up the changer always fails to kick back in after a backup session has completed.

[illcaptive]

hows it going again,

I am still having a lock up issue. if the device is a sleep and the theme rotates more then once it locks up completely and i have to reset it. Any other options i can do cause i really like this program.

thanks,

ill

[wacky.banana]

hows it going again,

I am still having a lock up issue. if the device is a sleep and the theme rotates more then once it locks up completely and i have to reset it. Any other options i can do cause i really like this program.

thanks,

ill

Did you search for and use the fake server solution I suggested? What applications are you running? Give us a bit mor info to get a better idea od what's going on.

WB

[illcaptive]

sorry about that,
my 8525 has spb pocket plus and mobile shell running sktools, jetware bt ext. eten zoom sms. are the main programs i am running.

thanks

oh and i did the fake server thing

[wacky.banana]

Illcaptive,

You can try one of 2 things: deinstall Spb Pocket Plus then run the changer on a 15 sec cycle to see if that makes a difference. Alternatively you could hard reset your device (after backing up all your data first) then install and run the changer on its own, again to see if it stalls or not.

If you take the latter option do not forget to setup the fake server trick again.

If the changer on its own does not stall then install your apps one at a time, then run the changer and see what happens.

Cheers

WB

[xit]

Thanks for a great app.

The only problem I have is that the top and bottom bar colours do not change at all with the theme rotation - only the background image.

Any thoughts?

[CWKJ]

Thanks for a great app.

The only problem I have is that the top and bottom bar colours do not change at all with the theme rotation - only the background image.

Any thoughts?It happens to me for a while, but somehow disappear by itself and sometime problem comes back and go.

[CWKJ]

@Shantz
I seems to be able to produce the problems I mentioned before 100% and also some of the problems mentioned by some others. I am talking about v1.52.

There is still one problem I cannot produce is the sometimes hang when it is either during standby or from standby to poweron and also 40% power drain.

Suggestion to overcome the problem still cannot produce by me, when you detect Standby/Poweroff or display off as it will be wasting CPU time and battery, stop the cycling and when you detect poweron, start cycling. I maybe wrong on this because I am only guessing.

@All
Regardless of what other items on today screen (including Tray Icons), if your cycling jpgs are in the same directory as the program, you will not see the problem.

Overcome some possible problems
If you need to use jpgs in another directory (not the program directory), you need to switch off all items on today screen (including Tray Icons) before you start cycling the jpgs (in another directory). When it is cycling properly, you can switch back on your items on today screen (including Tray Icons). This should solve the problem of jpgs (in another directory) sometimes not cycling or the items in today screen and tray icon not cycling/partial cycling.

[Andy Phillips]

Hi Shantz,
I would like to use your app to display a certain picture per day. For example you could have jpg's named by days of the week and they could change at 6am every day.
What do you think?!:)

[shantzg001]

Sorry for the delay guys, but am really busy these days..here are a few quick replies:
@illcaptive: Am sorry could not reproduce your issue...
@CWKJ: Cant reproduce the things you mention as well. Moreover, I cant stop the cycling on detecting display off (i dont cycle on power off because, well, the phone is powered off so prog cant run :) ), because then as soon as the phone comes out of sleep there would be a surge in CPU usage and it might cause problems with receiving calls etc.
Another thing is that location of JPG's (or any other files) DOES NOT matter. So you dont need to switch off any today things just because the files are in some other directory. I am not sure what is causing this issue on ur ppc but after testing it for quite some while I cant reproduce it...

@Andy: You can do that even now. Just take 7 jpg's and name them alphabetically (it is not gauranteed to pick files up in alphabetical order but mostly it does), then just configure the app in the morning (at whtever time you want) and keep the cycling period as 1 day (i.e. 86400 seconds), and that should do it..

[illcaptive]

yeah it wierd i reloaded everything and tried the prog each time i installed one and it was fine everytime. but then after it was in sleep mode over night it locked up. and then it started locking up after that.

[wacky.banana]

Illcaptive,

Have you tried out your device in sleep mode WITHOUT the changer installed to see what happens? If the dvice locks up then you know its not the changer.

Must admit my lockup problems in SLEEP mode were caused by active synch, which was cured by the fake server thing and ensuring that no other locks were on at the time the device goes into sleep mode.

Only other suggestion I have is to make sure that the other programmes you are running are the latest versions and are designed for the particular OS you are running.

Cheers

WB

[illcaptive]

the lock up does not happen at all when the theme changer is not being used. right now i made the timing so that i will at least activate the device once between theme changes.

[200mpx]

shantzg001

Is it possible to make a feature that forces themes to change. Just a button that switches themes. My probleme is that if I want to show smdy a theme that is my folder dedicated to your app, I have to move this theme to \windows to show it as today theme by using settings/today etc

[shantzg001]

Hey 200mpx,
its possible already with the app. Just make a shortcut to the app with the command line parameter "-c" without the quotes. Then whenever u tap this shortcut, the theme will change...

[200mpx]

ОК, thank you

[illcaptive]

Shantz and WB

i upgraded my hermes to a wm6 rom and now the prog works perfect just to let you too know.

thanks

ill

[wacky.banana]

Illcaptive,

Excellent news.

WB

[illcaptive]

hey shantz,

I was wondering if you where going to put a randomizer on your theme changer? or do you know how to get it to cause out of 12 tsk's on my phone it always rotates through the same 4.

Thanks,
ill

[shantzg001]

hey ill,
it should cycle through all 12 i dont know why only 4 are bring used, any more info abt ur setup?
btw, abt the randomizer, i'd do it but there are a lot of roadblocks...a bit busy atm, visual studio trial has expired and moreover, CTS signs are showing up, so stying away from the lappy a bit...

[illcaptive]

shantz,

thats cool bro. I am running vp3g 3.60.1 wm6 rom.

ill

[peterkling]

Great Tool - I love customizing, thanks Shantz.


If I may request anything, a random order would also be my first choice.

But this was exactly what I was looking for ;-)

[jbrianj]

I think it would be awesome to let you define a registry Key to Change Based On. For Example HTC's Weather Plug In stores the Current Weather in the Registry, and I would love to have the ability to select a background based on the Current Weather Conditions.

[shantzg001]

@jbrianj: can u elaborate a bit more on that?
If I understood correctly, you want the program to check a registry string and based on the contents of that string, you'd like to select an image.
Might be a good idea, will add it to my to-do list whenever i start updating the proggie again...

[jbrianj]

@Shantz
Here is what i am thinking.
I have the HTC Home Plug-in that alot of users around here are using, I have everything set to transparent so you can see pretty much the whole background. I have some pretty cool background images that have weather pictures on them. Like a Lightening strike, a Sunny Day, a Rainy Day etc. I would like to scroll thruogh them based on the Registry Setting for the Current Weather since HTC is nice enough to store the Weather Icon Index in the registry where we I can get to it. But I think it would be amazing to have the current weather define the background.

[Iftin]

cool/ respect programs :)

[Ncruze]

I was looking for an application that would automatically change the theme by the time I woke up each morning or every two days or so. the problem I have with the shanztodaychanger is that it only specify's 600 sec. I was wondering if I could set it to what ever amount of time I wanted. what about hours, minutes, days? I apologize if this may have been posted already..still new to the site. oh one more thing, I tried the themechanger app b4 I switched over. it was so unstable but the only thing I loved about it was the ability to preview the themes from the options menu before they were applied. can that b incorporated in the updated version?

[wacky.banana]

Ncuze,

You can set the number of seconds to whatever you want. So if you want the theme to change before you wake up each day then input 86400 into the box containg 600 and jobs done.

The only thing you need to remember is that if you want the theme changing at 7am then you need to set the changer to do so 24 hours before by simply setting it up at 7am the previous day. I can't remember what options exist in the tool but read this thread ad play around with it.

I have mine change 4 times a day. The minimum number of changes the better as the the pda can sometimes become unstable if the tool is changing the theme when, say, spb backup is about to kick in.

Cheers

WB

[Ncruze]

Ncuze,

You can set the number of seconds to whatever you want. So if you want the theme to change before you wake up each day then input 86400 into the box containg 600 and jobs done.

The only thing you need to remember is that if you want the theme changing at 7am then you need to set the changer to do so 24 hours before by simply setting it up at 7am the previous day. I can't remember what options exist in the tool but read this thread ad play around with it.

I have mine change 4 times a day. The minimum number of changes the better as the the pda can sometimes become unstable if the tool is changing the theme when, say, spb backup is about to kick in.

Cheers

WB

Yeah but no matter what number i input..after i put the desired number i want in seconds, i click apply...then i click on the starttdychangr program..it then says shantztoadaychanger is set..but when i go back to the configure program i noticed it's been set back to the default 600 sec..

[shantzg001]

@Ncruz, are u sure u r using the latest (1.52 version) cuz there was a bug in one of the earlier releases where the time was not updated...

[Blindheit]

Thanks your soft.

[mario23]

Great job on this app...thanks.

One problem for me.
It seems the app is hanging up on one theme. It appears to cycle to the next theme only the background does not change. Have I done something wrong?
Thanks again...

[shantzg001]

mario, do u mean the app is having problems withe one particular theme or with all the themes?
if it is one particular them, then can u attach it here...

[daxliniere]

Hey Mario,
I'd hazard a guess that it's one of those themes I encountered which caused the same issue for me.
I think I posted the one I was having problems with earlier in this thread.

Perhaps you could post your 'broken' theme and someone might like to compare the two files. Just a thought.

[mario23]

sure. here's the theme...tks

[mario23]

Hey hadn't been around in a bit.
Any luck on finding if it was this theme causing a problem for me?
Thanks again...

[shantzg001]

hey mario, sorry havent found any time till now..will look at it this weekend...

[mario23]

No problem. I can see this type of program is a little tricky.
Thanks...

[erikbolduc]

hi,

I tried to install on my HTC TOUCH running WM 6.1 and I cant get this software to work.

the backrounds wont change.
I tried a couple things :
- pointing to another directory
- different image type
.....nothing is working.

I just want to cycle jpg image as background every 60 seconds. Nothing complicated.

ive installed in \\\My Documents\Personal\ShantzTodayChanger1.52
executed TdyChangerCfg.exe.....waited....nothing. so I ran startTdyChngr.lnk...still nothing.

damn ! :(
ive been looking for THIS app for a long time.
i really want it to work !

questions :

-how can I be sure that the software is running once ive executed startTdyChngr.lnk ?

-why cant i it in the running task (top right corner) ?

-what else can I try ?

- if i really cant get it to work, HOW CAN I COMPLETLY UNINSTALL this software ?


thank you VERY MUCH for your help guys !

[wacky.banana]

Shantz,

Good to see you are alive and kicking. Sent you a PM a few days ago; did you get it?

WB

[SeanFromSoCal]

hi,

I tried to install on my HTC TOUCH running WM 6.1 and I cant get this software to work.

the backrounds wont change.
I tried a couple things :
- pointing to another directory
- different image type
.....nothing is working.

I just want to cycle jpg image as background every 60 seconds. Nothing complicated.

ive installed in \\\My Documents\Personal\ShantzTodayChanger1.52
executed TdyChangerCfg.exe.....waited....nothing. so I ran startTdyChngr.lnk...still nothing.

damn ! :(
ive been looking for THIS app for a long time.
i really want it to work !

questions :

-how can I be sure that the software is running once ive executed startTdyChngr.lnk ?

-why cant i it in the running task (top right corner) ?

-what else can I try ?

- if i really cant get it to work, HOW CAN I COMPLETLY UNINSTALL this software ?


thank you VERY MUCH for your help guys !

Erik, try installing ShantzTodayChanger into the program files folder (i.e. \Program Files\ShantzTodayChanger\) and see if it runs. If you install it with the cab it'll place it in that folder. It may be hardcoded to run the executables from that folder.

To see if its running you have to check your notifications. It uses these to instruct ShantzTodayChanger to run and change the background at the intervals you've selected. You can find the notifications in the registry. You can view it by using software like Memmaid and SKTools. You may also view it with a registry editor but I don't know off the top of my head what is the location of them. You should see a notification for it to run ShantzTodayChanger.exe at sometime in the future. When ShantzTodayChanger runs the next time it will change the background.

Once you have made the settings with TdyChangerCfg they will be saved in: HKCU\Software\ShantzTodayChanger\

ShantzTodayChanger when it runs from the next notification will use this settings to select the new background/theme. Take a glance in the settings to make sure its the proper folder and test with a time frame that is like 120 seconds (2 minutes) so you can see whether it works without waiting too long.

Shantz designed the software pretty to be pretty easy to use and does exactly what it should. It uses no resources -- hence it not showing up in the task manager. It runs when its changing the background and otherwise its closed. Only a tiny bit of storage space. And it has always worked for me. No matter what ROM I use or other software installed. Definately a keeper!

[jambaj0e]

Does anyone have a good collection of wallpapers/themes that correspond to morning, afternoon, dusk, and evening? I think that would be a great thing to have with this theme changer

[mario23]

Check the "Post your Today Screen" thread.
That's where I found some of mine...

[shantzg001]

@mario: sorry man, couldn't find anything wrong with the theme (as with the earlier one reported by wb.) I guess the only thing right now is to avoid this theme.

@wb: yeah, just saw it, didnt notice the "unread messages: 1" at the top :). Will reply today.

@Erik/SeanFromSoCal: The program can be placed anywhere. When you first run the program, it will read the path from where it was executed, and store that for future. The only thing is that both the exe's have to be kept in the same folder.

@Erik: If you can't see anything on running TdyChangerCfg.exe, there might be an issue with security permissions or some dll's etc. Are you running the program through Resco Explorer (or some other 3rd party browser)? If yes, then try through the built in file explorer, because I ve seen that many times 3rd party explorers suppress security/missing file errors and simply dont execute the file. Then let me know if you get an error.
You will know if the program is configured/running properly, if you get a "ShantzTodayChanger is set" message box on clicking apply in Config app (or on running startTdyChgr.lnk)
The program can also be used without the Config app.
Just click the startTdyChgr.lnk, and check the registry settings as mentioned by Sean (give a dump of the settings in this thread so that I can look at it). Rest of the settings configured through config app can also be directly added to the program by manually editing the registry but lets keep that for later and for now just make sure that there a few theme files (.tsk) present in the same folder as ShantzTodayChanger. Let us know the result.

@ALL: My Visual Studio trial ran out, and moreover I generally don't boot into windows anymore (unless it is really important), so not much development is going on towards WinMob, am contemplating releasing the (pretty messy) source code of the Changer. Lets see if I dont get around to making any more changes over the next month as well, then would release the source if anyone of you would be ready to take it up and extend it to include a few to-do's (I have the idea of how to do it, u just need to implement it). The only condition is that the development has to be continued on xda-devs forum so that ppl here should be the first to get a benefit out of it.

[erikbolduc]

@Erik: If you can't see anything on running TdyChangerCfg.exe, there might be an issue with security permissions or some dll's etc. Are you running the program through Resco Explorer (or some other 3rd party browser)? If yes, then try through the built in file explorer, because I ve seen that many times 3rd party explorers suppress security/missing file errors and simply dont execute the file. Then let me know if you get an error.
You will know if the program is configured/running properly, if you get a "ShantzTodayChanger is set" message box on clicking apply in Config app (or on running startTdyChgr.lnk)
The program can also be used without the Config app.
Just click the startTdyChgr.lnk, and check the registry settings as mentioned by Sean (give a dump of the settings in this thread so that I can look at it). Rest of the settings configured through config app can also be directly added to the program by manually editing the registry but lets keep that for later and for now just make sure that there a few theme files (.tsk) present in the same folder as ShantzTodayChanger. Let us know the result.





I can run TdyChangerCfg.exe and do my config. And I do get the "ShantzTodayChanger is set" message. Sorry if I was not clear before.

Like I said, I just want to cycle jpeg image. not theme files.

Ive put some jpeg in the same folder as ShantzTodayChanger. still not working.

here is the registry dump.

I didnt look at the notifications directly but I am pretty sure they are there cause....here is what ive noticed......

Ive set the timer to 30 seconds...every 30 seconds the "HTC HOME" item on my "today screen" is flashing just for a second...like it was trying to change the background.....but nothing is happening.

when i click stopTdyChgr.lnk, it stop flashing every 30 seconds

does it tell you something ?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

[erikbolduc]

I can run TdyChangerCfg.exe and do my config. And I do get the "ShantzTodayChanger is set" message. Sorry if I was not clear before.

Like I said, I just want to cycle jpeg image. not theme files.

Ive put some jpeg in the same folder as ShantzTodayChanger. still not working.

here is the registry dump.

I didnt look at the notifications directly but I am pretty sure they are there cause....here is what ive noticed......

Ive set the timer to 30 seconds...every 30 seconds the "HTC HOME" item on my "today screen" is flashing just for a second...like it was trying to change the background.....but nothing is happening.

when i click stopTdyChgr.lnk, it stop flashing every 30 seconds

does it tell you something ?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.



I GOT IT TO WORK :D

Thanks to CWKJ solution on page 18.

What i did :

- i went to : Settings...today....appearance
- un-check "Use this picture as background"
(I was using one of my personnal picture instead of the one included in the theme *which was also a custom theme ive dowloaded somewhere* )
- started the program using "startTdyChgr.lnk"

exactly the same problem as described by CWKJ.
maybe you can had this step to you procedure on page 1 ?

thanks for you help and thank you for this great program !

[shantzg001]

@erik: cool...I'll add this to first post...

[SeanFromSoCal]

@ALL: My Visual Studio trial ran out, and moreover I generally don't boot into windows anymore (unless it is really important), so not much development is going on towards WinMob, am contemplating releasing the (pretty messy) source code of the Changer. Lets see if I dont get around to making any more changes over the next month as well, then would release the source if anyone of you would be ready to take it up and extend it to include a few to-do's (I have the idea of how to do it, u just need to implement it). The only condition is that the development has to be continued on xda-devs forum so that ppl here should be the first to get a benefit out of it.

Shantz, its a great piece of software like I've always said. Does exactly what we would want in a today changer, much better than all the others out there including the commercial ones. And zero resources and from my experience zero bugs too =) Its virtually perfect as is. What else did you have in the to-do list that you didn't get a chance to get around too?


The only things I could see that might need some improvement was:
- Option to select either sequential or random wallpaper/theme rotation
- Individual checkboxes for each theme/image type to be cycled so you can select multiple.
- A way to create a list of designated theme folders and have a pulldown to quick select the active one.
OR
- A way to create a list of theme folders and have checkbox enable/disable for each. This way you can quickly enable/disable which themes you are in the mood for and not have to be restricted to just one folder worth. I have like 7 different subfolders - cars, scenery, abstract, etc. What if I get sick of the cars and just want it to change between scenery and abstract -- I can then enable only those two and disable all the others.

For this you can probably create registry entries like A_C did on his S2U2 as ExceptionEXEs. In this situation...

Folder0 = string(\Storage Card\Today\Cars)
Folder0Enable = decimal(1)
Folder1 = string(\Storage Card\Today\Scenery)
Folder1Enable = decimal(0)
Folder2 = string(\Storage Card\Today\Abstract)
Folder2Enable = decimal(1)

If the randomization across multiple folders is complex then maybe just have the quick active folder selection pulldown. Or perhaps the software can create a cache file in the ShantzTodayChanger program folder that has a list of all the wallpapers/themes with full paths that it can randomly (or sequentially) select from it. The cache file can be automatically re-created whenever you run the TdyChangerCfg.

Sorry I'm rambling. And I apologize I'm not a Win/WinMo developer (only a PHP/website developer) so can't really help with implementation.

But hey honestly the software is just great as is. If none of the above ideas ever make it off the ground I will still be a happy camper.

And with the running external program feature you have built into it your software your software will be on my device for a very long time. Now I just need to take some time and learn Mortscript so that I can have my today screen, S2U2, WAD (or maybe in the future -- PointUI if its becomes skinnable with a JPG/GIF background) all consistent to each other. =)

Thanks again Shantz. We really appreciate your effort. Also Happy New Year to you too =)

[shantzg001]

Thnx for the nice words, sean :)
And you are right about the things that I wanted to change/add
The 2nd option, did you mean mixing of tsk's, jpgs, etc for switching (like switching to a jpg, then a tsk, then maybe a png, etc). If yes, then that is what I had in mind.
For the implementation of the third option, I had two things in mind
1 is the way that you suggested, which would be a cleaner approach
2nd is a modification of the existing masking capability.
Don't want to enable more than 1 folder (theme type) at a time though, because it would bog down the program a bit.
I had earlier thought about the cache option but its not a good approach, because this means extra burden of running TdyChgrCfg again and again whenever you add or delete a file from a folder.

About the rambling, it was a quite good ramble, I'd say :). And you dont need to be a WinMo developer to think of a feature/implementation, common sense is all you need, rest is all "syntax" ;)

And yeah, there is one more thing, that I wanted to add. Integrating with weather programs (or any other programs). Since these programs will store the current weather "type" in registry, we can configure the changer to read this registry, and set the theme predesignated for that string. (This thing can also be made a bit fuzzy depending on the type of registry setting, like fixed descriptive words or cumulative of temp, humidity, precipitation etc)

[SeanFromSoCal]

And yeah, there is one more thing, that I wanted to add. Integrating with weather programs (or any other programs). Since these programs will store the current weather "type" in registry, we can configure the changer to read this registry, and set the theme predesignated for that string. (This thing can also be made a bit fuzzy depending on the type of registry setting, like fixed descriptive words or cumulative of temp, humidity, precipitation etc)

The weather idea sounds great. I've seen it incorporated with WAD and WeatherPanel and it was pretty nice. But having it perform with zero resources, still having full control of your today plugins, and not having to buy two seperate commercial programs to pull off the effect sounds great.

Shantz, yeah I'm good with ideas but unfortunately have no ability to help turn the ideas into WinMo code. I'm having a hard enough time trying to keep on top of my website development programming languages with the oop php, css, javascript, ajax, flash, etc. Only if there was more hours in a day. Tisk tisk

[thekrush]

Great Tool - I love customizing, thanks Shantz.


If I may request anything, a random order would also be my first choice.

But this was exactly what I was looking for ;-)

+1 for the Random Option on your next revision...Was using ThemeMaster (Commercial) but liked your program better! Keep up the good work! :D

[rtakeo]

a fade (in/out) transition between the images when changing would be perfect... try to developer this... or just a way like the A_C S2U2 developer did for the transition images option.

[erikbolduc]

hey Shantz !

Ive noticed something using your program....

If I shut down my pocket pc completely...then boot it.....then start your program......

the first wallpaper that is put in the "todays background" will get stuck as the "start menu background" until i restart the pocket pc !

the "todays background" will keep changing, like its suppose to, but when I click the start menu, the background will still be the first image that was loaded by the program.

also, a soft reset will reset the "start menu background" to match the current "todays background".

do you have an idea what can cause that ?

see the picture included.

thanks in advance for your help !

[shantzg001]

eric:
I wasnt able to reproduce this issue. It works ok in my phone. Is the rocky theme the first theme in your folder?
which phone do u have?

[SeanFromSoCal]

It could be a partially corrupt TSK file. I've came across quite a bit that I've downloaded from PocketPCthemes and other websites that get stuck somehow. Not a problem with Shantz cause they have a problem changing when I use BVRP Theme Manager too. The only way to unstuck the bad TSKs are by using the Setting->Today to change the theme.

You might want to load the theme on a PC based theme manager/editor like ThemeGenCE and see if something looks out of place. If this is happening with a bunch of themes, then not sure. I don't have a problem with Shantz on mine and I have like 500 themes that it switches between just fine (as long as I get rid of the bad ones).

[lazzer]

When I use your program, sometimes the color gets stuck and all my themes will have the same color. Is there a fix

[davidebeatrice]

it's possible to set a specific order to change wallpaper? i.e. from 1.jpg to 6.jpg?
or it's possible to set specific wallpaer for specifics hours? i.e 1.jpg for 1am 2.jpg for 2am, etc..?

thx!!!

not SOLVED

sorry...not solved..always wallpaer random...
how can i solve?

sorry for my english...

[shantzg001]

glad u got it solved :)

[shantzg001]

Download:
Latest Downloads can now be found at http://tech.shantanugoel.com (http://tech.shantanugoel.com/projects/windows-mobile/shantztodaychanger)