[New release] Clock with seconds (today plug-in)

[levenum]

Greetings everybody!

This project started as a simple test to write a today screen plug-in. The first version did nothing but show date and time updated every second. It had no options and in my opinion was useless.
Then I found out about the new AKU2 ROM and that there were a lot of people out there who really didn't like the changes made to today screen.

So I decided to continue with the project, and now it has evolved so even the title of the thread isn't very suitable any more. I keep it so people can recognize the thread.

Here's what this plug-in has to offer:

• Show date on today screen in one line, like in older ROMs.
• Show clock on taskbar in today screen (with / with out AM / PM).*
• Show date in taskbar*
• Options to control what appears in today screen: long / short date, time, seconds.
• 4 different alignment options.
• Custom font size for plug-in.
• Shows alarm icon, even on WM2003 devices.
• Option to blink the taskbar clock at user set intervals.*
• Option to turn of selectability.
• Windows Mobile 6 compatible
• Internet time synchronization (manual only)

*The plug-in does not effect system displayed taskbar clock if it exists, instead it puts it's own clock covering some icons. It can do so in today screen and all programs. The covered icons can still be accessed by taping on their location (the clock is 'click transparent')

NOTE: Before updating the plug-in, disable old version and then uninstall it. This will insure new file and settings will take effect. It is also recommended to preform soft reset.

DISCLAIMER: This program comes free but with no warranty, or even a guarantee that it will work. I take no responsibility for any damage that might incur from using this program.

PLEASE NOTE: The download is just below this message, but you must be logged in to see it.

LATEST VERSION: 0.2.1 published on 12/1/2008

One minor bug fix: my leap year calculation was off so the internet time sync was a day back. This is now fixed.

Download the app: View attachment LVMTime.CAB
Want to know how it works? Get the source code: View attachment 65697

Side note: It seems that the pole was reopened (probably because of forum format change. 33 people voted for "something else" but I have not received a single suggestion. "see post" means that if you vote for "something else" you must add a post with a suggestion - or I'll have to hunt you down for it! (Just kidding - not time as it is).

 

[ZeBoxx]

very nice

I'm about to commission something like this myself (plans from a month back or so - hope you don't mind)... here's one thing I noticed immediately; the font size doesn't respect the system font size. So if your today text is all "smaller" or "small", your item will still display as "normal".

 

[levenum]

Hi ZeBoxx!

I'm about to commission something like this myself (plans from a month back or so - hope you don't mind)...

Like I said this is just something I did as a test so be my guest, in fact if you want, I can send you the code, it's really basic but a good starting point.

the font size doesn't respect the system font size

Yeah, I just create the font once in a global var. If someone will be kind enough to point me toward the right registry key, I'll be happy to correct this.

Also I'm pretty sure that clock.exe has a command line parameter that forces it to open on the time tab instead of the last tab accessed (when you launch it from the clock / run menu), I've tried several options but none of them worked. Does any one know what the parameter is?

 

[Conchas]

Hi Levenum,

nice if you could send me the code too.
Thinking to implement some options, that might be usefull.
- Show/hide date
- Show/hide seconds
- Left/right justify

Seems to be the best alternative, for lack of clock in Today screen with new WM5.0 ROMs.
At least until someone cames with a proper hack!

 

[levenum]

Code sent via email.

 

[topcaser]

Code sent via email.

Can you send the code also to me? Would be nice. Thanx

 

[meschle]

Thanks levenum
I think this good and can be further enhanced.

1. Clock to be sensitive to the h:mm:ss tt setting so we can alter the format and option to turn seconds on/off

2. Date format to be sensitive too to the format set

3. I think I would prefer the time to be right justified as this would appear neater.

I think this project could be a real goer as many have complained with the new wm5 roms and two lines date and time take.
Keep up the good work!

 

[meschle]

Thanks levenum
I think this good and can be further enhanced.

1. Clock to be sensitive to the h:mm:ss tt setting so we can alter the format and option to turn seconds on/off

2. Date format to be sensitive too to the format set

3. I think I would prefer the time to be right justified as this would appear neater.

I think this project could be a real goer as many have complained with the new wm5 roms and two lines date and time take.
Keep up the good work!

 

[levenum]

Hello everybody!
I am actually a bit overwhelmed by the warm response and the amount of downloads in such a short period of time.
Since I don't have access to a WM 5 device with the current ROMs you mentioned here I had no idea there was a problem with the date on today screen.

Regarding adding the formatting options: I thought of that, but unfortunately I have next to no time to devote to this project (I didn't actually expect it to become a project) so since I need to do a search for the registry keys (or maybe there are API functions) that contain the date and time format I am not likely to incorporate them any time soon. Of course if someone wants to help by posting the relevant info or link to it, that might speed things alone.

If anyone out there wants to just take my code and add the options them selves like Conchas you are welcome to post the results right here.

Also, the code requests keep coming in. I didn't post the project here because I thought it will be a waste of disk space (it's just a basic outline for a plug-in) but if the requests keep coming I will post it here rather then sending it every time.

P.S.:
I found this forum very helpful, and am glad to give a little something back to the community, although I am sure a monetary donation would have been more appreciated by the site administration. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[xdaIIse]

I want the code also.Thanks a lot

 

[simon_darley]

Hey good jb, I have downloaded, but not installed.

I suggested to SPB to get a hurry up with their WM5 release of SPB Time, and have heard that it has gone into Beta, probably for this reason.

will have a look and provide feedback. Without looking, some good features that people have indicated a need for in clock feature on other forums are:

1. Alarm clock system that works
2. Floating screen saver for clock
3. Stop watch and lap counters

 

[simon_darley]

PS I am sure donations will flow with a commitment to add in and make your own features enhanced.

When I looked, there was 66 downloads. If we offered say $10 (AUS) or similar for a full featured application, you would have had $660, and its ony just been posted. by the end of next week, it will have been downloaded thousands of times.

 

[levenum]

xdaIIse: I am posting the code a the head of the thread.

simon_darley: You misunderstood me: I am not asking for donations to my self. What I meant was that this site could use a donation more than my plug-in posted. It was just a little joke.

As for SPB, I saw some of their plug-ins, and there's not much chance I will be able to compete with them though I decided to add some options soon.

 

[simon_darley]

I was only dropping a hint that you could make money out of it, and gain further development experience at a profit... ,)

 

[jonazen]

I just downloaded -- will be great as a quick intro to writing today plugins -- thanks!

I'm also really interested, because I'd like to have a single-line Day, Date, Time option for my Today screen -- but NOT the 2-line silliness that WM5 makes you use -- that just takes up too much space!

I have the date and time on my task/title bar with Wisbar, but there's no room up there for it to say "Saturday" (or any other day for that matter!). So I've been pondering a nice slim Today add-in that can format the day, date, time exactly as I'd like. I'd also like to experiment with options to make it skinnable, transparent, obey/ignore the system fonts, date formats, etc.

Thanks...I'll take a look at this soon...

 

[levenum]

Hey, could some one post here or pm me a screen shot of the problematic date plug-in. All this talk got me curios. I worked with WM 5 devices but they had a standard date display like WM 2003.

 

[ZeBoxx]

Hey, could some one post here or pm me a screen shot of the problematic date plug-in. All this talk got me curios. I worked with WM 5 devices but they had a standard date display like WM 2003.

It's only with the new ROMs (AKU2 ROMs)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=44662

 

[levenum]

Thanks Ze!
It looks to me like MS is heading towards making PPCs look like regular cell phones with this new OS. First there were the soft keys that took the place of the menu/toolbar. (I didn't understand the design until I saw a phone edition device that had hardware equivalents) now it’s the little white battery meter.
What's next?
Full screen incoming call notification…

 

[jonazen]

Problem is, unless you use a full taskbar skinner like Wisbar, you don't have much control over the fact that the day/date displays as two lines (I think changing the global date formats might have an effect but I'm not positive - and that SHOULDN'T be the only way to affect this display!).

 

[tweakradje]

Take a look at this clock plugin: TodayTime

Perhaps it does what you want. Dunno about the spanish though...

Cheers