Develop Bugs

Permission requested from admins/mods

reposted to Dev&Hack forum Aug 9th, 12:30pm PST
I'm not a developer, and only an intermediate(?) VBA programmer for my own solutions. (Though several of those are quite involved.)
I have a question that I'd like to post on the Developers forum, because I believe it falls in "their" wheelhouse.
I've read and respect the posting guidelines published for each forum and the site generally.
I've done my web search diligence, and have posted inquiry on other sites specific to my device and the particular application(s) involved. No luck.
Am requesting permission/blessing to post the following:
Keystrokes as code?
Specifically Excel Mobile keyboard shortcut Alt-PgUp/Dn
I've created several Keystroke "routines" to minimize stylus use in Excel Mobile. I've mapped to hardware buttons, and they all work great... except Alt-PgUp(and PgDn). In Excel, these key combos will scroll one screen left or right, respectively. Other similarly-coded "routines" work as expected.
I've worked around this for now by recording screentaps in Excel's horizontal scrollbar. Unfortunately, the location of that s/b depends on whether SIP is active. If it is, the vertical co-ordinates of the screentaps become irrelevant and/or potentially destructive to my intended result. I prefer to avoid "position dependent" commands whenever possible for obvious reasons.
I have several other programs at my disposal to effect the Alt-PgUp/Dn shortcut(s).... IF I knew how to define the values(?) of Alt-PgUp/Dn in a script.
(MortScript, PHMkeys, Pen Commander, Spb FullScreenKb, PDA MediaKb)
I've been all over the web, and I think I understand keystroke scan-codes and values... and how they work together. Is there something akin to an ASCII "value" for this key combination? (099/0A1; 073/081; 153/161)?
Any ideas are appreciated. I've no aversion to research or work, but can't figure out what to ask or where to look further.
(I just really need a more direct/reliable functionality to scroll entire screen at a time left/right.)
Thanks in advance if anyone can help.
Dell Axim x51v WM5 (if it matters)
(Please feel free to "re-direct"/re-locate/modify/enlighten etc.)

pro-fit2: your post sounds like one of the very few that truly does merit going in the developer forum Please repost it there.
BTW, the solution to your problem sounds like you could just emulate scrollbar commands, rather then keyboard commands. That's fairly easy to do by posting WM_VSCROLL or directly manipulating the scrollbars in code. With that you can emulate smooth scroll, line scroll and page scroll. I wrote an app that can do that, once upon a time.
V

Scroll bar control, accessing, WM_HSCROLL
Vijay, thank you for permission and input.
Before I go further, I like the sound of your suggestion, but my code background is primarily VBA thru Excel, from which I access some minor(?) "other" things like PrintDialog, or other MS Office apps...
I'm willing to work through the API(?) to access window scrollbar controls, WM_HSCROLL (etc), but I would need a more basic start. If it's easy to generate, I'd love to see some further detail on the approach you described.
Thanks either way,
Pro-Fit

pro-fit2: apologies for being an ass, but could you open a thread in the developers forum, and I'll paste some code in.
I would open it for you, but it's better if it's opened under your member ID.
To get you started, this is a not particularly good article on scrollbar functions in vb.net. It's not VBA, but should give you an idea.
There are two ways to control the scrolling -
method 1: by sending the scrollbar a rough command to scroll up/down/left/right one line or one page. [ WM_VSCROLL with SB_LINEDOWN/SB_PAGEDOWN ]
method 2: by sending specific thumbposition control commands, which will give you fine control over the scrollbar. Frankly, this is probably what you don't need as it requires you to interrogate the scrollbar and then react accordingly. You just need to emulate line up/down I think. Look into SetScrollInfo etc.
Again, apologies for being obtuse, but there's no point filling this thread with redundant info. But start here:
http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms674659(vs.80).aspx
Open the development thread and we'll continue
V

[APP] {WIP} Virtual D-Pad - (Updated 15/12/09)

Run this app in the background to use the G-Sensor as a DPad. Seems to work with cursor (in word etc) and, start menu, list boxes etc.
Comments/feedback appreciated (but please remember it is a work in progress!)
Version History
Added sample full config with descriptions
Added <VK_DPAD> option in config xml to increase compatibility.
Version 0.9:-
Bug fix to tilt logic
Added more override options for individual applications (e.g. MaxX/Y, DeadZoneX/Y)
Uploaded XSD for config file (contains some documentation)
Version 0.8:-
Added hardware key toggle to config file
Version 0.7:-
Moved all settings into config file
Improved UI
New "Switch" mode added
New "KeySend" methods added (SendMessage & KeybdEvent)
Version 0.6:-
Minor bug fix
Version 0.5:-
New config file format, to support...
Acceleration mode!
Version 0.4:-
Better matching of exe names (oops!)
Version 0.3:-
Allowed list now works from exe name (rather than window title)
Version 0.2:-
Config file
Proportional directions
Non-flat center/neutral point (config - CenterX/CenterY)
"Dead Zone" (config - Threshold)
Restriction by program (config - Application)
Have a play and let me know your thoughts.

I'll give her a look see --- not happy with the virtual SIP solution I've been trying to code. I was wondering if I could detect a hardware key (like the back arrow) and then use the g_sensor for scrolling if and only if that button was being held. That way apps aready using the g-sensor could continue to use it and users could have greater control over what was scrolled and when. Since you already have taken this this far I throw the idea your way to run with it if you want to... if not that is fine too.
Blessings my friend in the new year!
PS-If you want to collaborate in coding send me a PM

Seems to work as intended... The single-hardware button "hold to enable - release to disable" would make this a real solution... Are use using Dutta's Unified Sensor API "My Brain Hurts website"?
Good work so far

how do you install this??

Excellent !!
exactly what I was looking for, great job!
I'll test it in some games unusable without d-pad and report.
thanks !

patterns said:
how do you install this??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I copied the files to my SD card and ran the exe... switching to another application then uses g-sensor as directional arrows... stopping EXE kills behavior... at least that's what worked for me

I tried it out and this seems promising. Below are some things I would like to see added to make this truly useful.
1. You do not want to have it active all the time so you need an easy ability to activate/deactivate it as already stated above. Either by pressing and holding a hardware button or by pressing and holding a certain area/corner of the screen.
2. When I hold the phone in my hand the neutral position is almost never the completely flat position. I think the position of the phone when you activate it according to 1. above should be taken as the neutral position. Any relative movements from that position should then be interpreted as left,right,up and down.
3. Make the speed of the scrolling configarable.
4. Make the speed of the scrolling proportional to the movement from the neutral position. If I move only slightly from the neutral position it should scroll slowly and if I move it a lot it should scroll faster.
5. A per application filter would also be really useful. For each application you should be able to specify ig G-Pad is active always, never or when activated according to 1. above. The default for unlisted applications should be to activate it according to 1. above.
Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions regarding my suggestions. I don't think any of them should be really hard to implement.
Keep up the good work. I look forward to the next version of this.

Wow, so many responses! Like I said initially, its a work in progress. On the "ToDo" list is :-
1. Config File!
* Threshold setting (how much to tilt before registering
* Center (i.e. what angle is neutral instead of flat)
* Application list
2. Proportional control
I'll add the other suggestions to my list.
Cheers

Great work! The most wanted for me is the possibility to map it to a button, so by pressing the button your program is enabled, by pressing it once again, it is disabled again.
Another idea would be that it is just enabled while you are pressing the button, whereas it is disabled when you are not pressing the specified button.
But its up to you .

johnpatcher said:
Another idea would be that it is just enabled while you are pressing the button, whereas it is disabled when you are not pressing the specified button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes the most sense to me, browsing lists for instance would be so much more practical.
Keep up the excellent efforts!

1.)How is this virtual d-pad different of GController ?
2.) Can you move the map in Age of Empires 1,25 with this ?

excellent idea and a very promising start. thank you and Happy New Year!
this thread belongs to the "themes, applications and software". i'll try to persuade one of the mods.

Wolfenzi said:
1.)How is this virtual d-pad different of GController ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats written for the Diamond (not 100% on HD) and development has stopped
Wolfenzi said:
2.) Can you move the map in Age of Empires 1,25 with this ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea! I dont have AoE so once its up and running properly (its still in very early alpha!) I'll ask people to post compatible & incompatible apps.

Looks really promising! Seems to work pretty nicely. I think the two main things I would like would be similiar to what people already asked:
- An easy way to toggle it on\off rather than running the application and killing it.
- A way to calibrate the sensitivity threshold. It reacts rather quickly now.
Good job!

Ideas
I've been thinking about this more... if you allowed a program button like the BACK ARROW to temporarily activate when pressed, read current orientation and then applied scrolled based on the orientation delta from the initial orientation and then disabled scrooling once the BACK ARROW was released. This would solve the "Gee its not flat" problem and the enable/disable issue. Other configurable options might include as noted above -- changing g-sensor sensitivity; limiting scroll direction (N-S or E-W)
Can't wait to see your next version... I've suspended work on my v-DPad because i think yours will be the better solution

Has anyone tried this on a Touch Pro, i might do it right now and get back to you guys
EDIT: Well I just tried this on my Touch Pro and it works prefect, but it would be awesome if there was a way to disable it when using TF3D because you have to have the phone perfectly flat or it will move around on the tabs, or maybe make settings for it to disable in some programs
Very nice app, I will keep my eye on this one, Thanks!

Very nice!
I think this is the perfect solution as it allows to control everything with the GSensor. Too bad GController development has beed stopped, I hope this will be the perfect successor.

Great job!
This is really great work and has a lot of potential.
Let's wait for a more "finished" version.

thanks
It's so amazing good job

Work in PocketGBA (GBA emulator)?
Does this app work in PocketGBA?
Can't play GBA games on my mobile now since i upgrade my phone to HD as PocketGBA require hardware buttons for directions control.
GBA on Morphgear is just too slow with the sound on

[App][BETA] Kill**** - process killer

This is my first app for WinCE so please be nice!
Rant
It seems I'm part of a minority of users who understand that mobile devices and PDA's are not designed to run multiple apps at once. You can, but anyone with a decent sense of quality will agree that it's a rubbish experience once you get under 50% free memory. In fact the iPhone by default design doesn't let you multi-task apps (jailbreak changes this) which may be one of the reasons peeps think its a faster device. I say I'm part of a minority because most apps around are coded so that when you hit the 'x' close button they minimize instead of close (even by holding x). Also Windows has no inbuilt mechanisms for keeping your apps closed, and none of the roms I've tried (cooked or otherwise) seem to have these types of tools included.
Disclaimer
Firstly I hope I haven't reinvented the wheel or stolen anyone else's idea. I didn't research for months but didn't find anything like this around so apologize in advance if I upset anyone. Also I provide this tool "as-is" in BETA form - so it could damage your device - so use at your own risk.
Kill****?! What is it?
It is a simple app that kills running processes.
Why would I want it - what's wrong with Task Manager?
A common example is you open up Calc to do divide a dinner bill, lookup how to get home in Google maps, send an SMS to a friend and hit Home key. Then you wonder why the thing is running like a dog. You open task manager and notice you have these 3 freakin apps are open still and taking up your memory. So you're expected to open Task Manager after every time you're finished with an app?...no I dont think so..because you've got Kill****! You manage an exemption file, assign the app to one of your softkeys (or events) and it will quickly, quietly kill all other **** running for you.
How Does It Work?
It stores a text file on disk with names of processes that you wish to exempt. You can manage this via the included config tool. When you run the app (which is a console app) it just kills every running process other than the ones on your exclude list. The exclusion file is stored in your default MyDocuments folder and is called something like "NoofnyKill****.settings". Real simple.
What Do I Need To Run It?
Microsoft Windows Mobile (4 and above)
Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 3.5
How Do I Install It?
Simply run the attached CAB and everything is installed for you. 2 icons are added to your Start Menu (the config tool and the console app itself). The app is installed in the default Programs folder.
How Do I Use It?
If the exceptions file does not exist it will be created new and will contain all of the running process at the time the app ran.
The best instructions are;
1) Have your device in your preferred state with only your basic apps running.
2) Open the config tool from the start menu (Kill**** Config).
3) All of the running processes will list with a check next to them (which 4) means they will be exempted).
4) Click Menu -> Save Exceptions and close the config tool.
5) Assign the console app (KilL****.exe) to one of your softkeys or other buttons using your favorite tweak tool.
What Else Do I Need To Know?
I am not responsible for anything negative or positive this app will do to you, your device or life. Use at your own risk. I have not tested this app well and can only guarantee that I have fundamentally screwed something up. If anyone does use it and wants help I will do my best but try to help by giving as much detailed info as possible when reporting any bugs. I'm open to suggestions and are planning to put the source code up here if anyone shows interest.
That's about it - hope it makes someone's life a little brighter.

Hi!
This looks interesting. Is there anyway to cook this into a ROM properly? I dont like to have users make a file in their my documents folder.
Cheers
Epiphany

EpiphanyNL said:
Is there anyway to cook this into a ROM properly? I dont like to have users make a file in their my documents folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks...i can have the file live anywhere really, I just chose MyDocuments cause its easy and accessible. It's easy to even have them define in the config tool where they want to save the settings. I'm new to mobile dev and the whole rom cooking thing, so could you expand about what would be needed to cook this app into a rom?

actually after giving it more thought it would be more practical to store this in the registry. I chose to use a text file at first because I was not going to bother have a config app and you could modify it using notepad or something.

In registry would be the most preferred method yes.

Noob advice for mortscript and winmbl 5.0

I am working with 2 different inventory systems that use IE. One site needs an application called datawedge to invoke a scanner, the other inventory site invokes an active-x control for the scanner. I need to create a script that launches IE with Datawedge for the one site, and another script that launches IE and kills datawedge for the other site.
Is mortscript the way to go for something like this? It seems to be the only thing around I can find for winmbl scripting. Can someone post an example of a simple open app, kill app script in mortscript?
TIA for any replies...

Hi.
Opening and closing apps is the easy part.
Maybe try posting in the mortscript forum and you will have more responses.
Mortscript Examples:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=289197

[GUIDE]Accessing Metro Apps Folder

How To Access The Metro Apps Folder​
Windows 8 introduces a new type of apps called metro apps or modern apps.These apps can be installed with a tap from the windows store.This system works out great for the average consumer but its a nuisance for power users.And since most of the xda devs are power users I decided to write this guide to accessing the metro apps.The metro apps are installed in C/Program Files?Windowsapps/ This folder is hidden and locked away to prevent users from modding the apps.However there is a way to access the folder which I am going to describe in detail here.This procedure is really simple and there is absolutely no need to go into the command line like how I read in some other tuts I found on the web.
STEP 1
The Windowsapps folder is a hidden folder so first of all you will need to go to the control panel and display it in small icons view.Then go to folder options and tick the option that says show hidden files,folders and drives.After doing this click apply and ok and exit.Now when you navigate to c program files,you should be able to see a folder named windowsapps.It will appear in white.
STEP 2
Now double click on the folder.It will not open.Instead,you will get a warning saying that you currently don't have access to this folder.Click continue.Another warning will pop up saying that permission to open the folder has been denied.Click on the security Tab Link.
STEP 3
In the security tab,click on continue.A box will open which will list all the permission holders of the windowsapps folder.It will display TrustedInstaller as the owner.Click Change.A box will open up.Change The Owner to your name and click check names,correct it if you have written the wrong name.Click Ok.The permission will be changed.Check replace owner on subcontainers and objects too.
STEP 4
Now you will need to restart windows explorer for the changes to be effective.Now,you have complete access to the windowsapps folder.:victory:
USES
Now that you have got access to the folder,There are a great many things you can do..Ill list some of them to increase productivity.
1.Delete Preinstalled Useless Apps
2.Read the Source Code
3.Modify/Play around with the apps
etc etc
Enjoy Guys....Hope I helped.......

This has been posted here since at least the Win8 RTM, possibly before. Please search before posting. Also, I would expect a "power user" to already have "Show hidden files and folders" enabled and to be familiar with NT and NTFS permissions systems. Oh, and getting to Folder Options is way simpler than going through Control Panel; you can either open it right from the Explorer ribbon (View -> Options) or just via Start search.
Also, be aware that "Metro" is not the actual name of the interface anymore (officially); some metro transit agency apparently raised a legal fuss over it. The new name is (in classic Microsoft branding failure style) "Windows Store apps" although you'll occasionally hear "modern" used too. When I'm feeling snarky (at least 70% of the time I'm on this site) I call it TIFKAM (The Interface Formerly Known As Metro).

modifying metro app
i modified the code in one of my app's java script files, but it does not affect the app itself... just to check i even made the whole code a comment (with /*....*/) and still the app ran normally... why?
in the other hand if i touch the .css code or the html code the app crushes, even if i only want to change the color code.... why?
i will be thankful if someone could answer these two questions for me, it will help me alot....
thanks in advance
Pinto