Related
This was from the windows mobile team blog. More to follow but wanted to post it for those who don't read that.
Original link: http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2008/06/03/customizing-the-sliding-panel-homescreen.aspx
Customizing the Sliding Panel Homescreen
from Windows Mobile Team Blog by Jorge Peraza
Hi, my name is Jorge Peraza; I am a Developer on the Windows Mobile team that was responsible for the new “Sliding Panel” home screen in Windows Mobile 6.1.
When we were working on the visual style and functionality of the home screen we tried to make something that looked both professional and appealing while still showcasing all the information the user is going to need to know what’s important and requires attention. While I think the default design looks really cool, we added some customization features to enable users to make it their own.
Customizing the layout
The home screen layout can be modified using the same home.xml file from previous versions of WM, the schema of the file was extended to allow the customization of many of its elements, this includes the art assets that are used for most of the plug-ins.
When you open the SlidingPanel.home.xml file (inside \ApplicationData\Home) you will find the plug-in element that corresponds to the sliding panel home screen (its CLSID is {E9267CAB-02EE-4f37-8216-6BF6A8FF5A71}). All the child elements inside it are designed to tweak and customize the way the home screen will look.
The top level element is the plugins tag, this has one attribute called “Order” and it’s used to list the plug-ins that will be shown and the order they are going to be laid out on the screen.
The built in plug-in names are:
1)CClock – The big clock
2)CAppointments - The calendar plugin
3)CHome – The notifications plugin
4)CMyPhotos – The photos plugin
5)CMessage – The message center (this is off by default on all sliding panel built in layouts.
6)CMusic – The music plugin
7)Settings – The settings plug-in
8)Custom Plugin – Users can specify custom plug-ins with static content that can be displayed on the home screen.
For example, the XML snippet bellow moves the photos plug-in to the first position and enables the message center (which is turned off by default on both "Sliding Panel" and "Sliding Panel Media")
<plugin clsid="{E9267CAB-02EE-4f37-8216-6BF6A8FF5A71}" name="Bronze" height="266">
<Plugins Order="CMyPhotos;CClock;CMessage" />
</plugin>
There are many other ways of customizing the home screen using the plug-in settings like overriding the default images or even adding your own custom plug-ins that display static content, I'll post and updated entry latter on on how to do this in detail but for now, you can use the provided home.xml files to start experimenting with this.
The notifications plug-in and message center
In the sliding panel home screen, the notifications plug-in by default serves as a dual-purpose notifications/gateway to all you phone/message accounts where every page represents one account (so, if you have multiple notifications in one category they will be shown as one summary page).
There is however an alternative behavior where individual notifications are added as independent pages (Similar to what the T-Mobile shadow home screen does) and the plug-in only shows accounts that have new notifications in them. One cool feature of this alternate behavior is that each individual notification can be dismissed without having to leave the home screen.
You can enable this alternative behavior by setting the following registry key to a value other than 2 (The actual value indicates how many pages of each notification type will be added to the home screen before collapsing them into a summary page. We have tested 2 and 5 but feel free to experiment with other values)
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Chome\Chome]
PageCollapseThreshold: DWORD
Note that this prevents you from being able to access the email/phone account data if there are no notifications for it. If you still want to be able to do that you can always re-enable the message center as described in the previous section as a separate plug-in.
There is one more behavioral change you can make that allows you to “dock” the condensed view of the first plug-in to the top of the screen when it is not active, we added this for people like me that want to have the clock always visible. To enable just set the following registry key to “1”
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Chome]
DockOperatorBar: DWORD
Advanced layout modification
There are even more advanced things you can do to further tweak the look of the home screen but it is unsupported by Microsoft at this moment so you’ll have to experiment on your own J (Hint, look at the following files \windows\CHome_240x320.cpr and \windows\CHome_320x240.cpr).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to djNutz for posting this information & OrganicM for his efforts.
I wanted to create a post with info about what the different keys do in the CHome section of the registry. So, I'll start with a brand new one, that I bet nobody knows about....
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Chome\Chome]
PageCollapseThreshold: 2 or 5 (DWORD Value)
This will collapse your Notifications panel to only show active notifications. You can enable this alternative behavior by setting the following registry key to a value other than 2 (The actual value indicates how many pages of each notification type will be added to the home screen before collapsing them into a summary page. 2 and 5 were tested and work pretty well.
More to come of course....
should this change be made to the security section too, or does that matter? actually, do changes to the security section ever matter, cause they seem to apply even when you only edit the software section.
p.s.
i'm pretty sure people are gonna ask, so maybe i'll save some trouble instead of looking like an ass by answering preemptively. This DWORD value must be created with your registry editor, it's not already there, at least on ricky v24.
2 = default or normal (i assume cause it looks the same as before) and 5 = condensed.
But for the rest of us who don't have the time to be on every WM blog and forum at once here's my favorite:
To “dock” the condensed view of the first plug-in to the top of the screen when it is not active, set the following registry key to “1”
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Chome]
DockOperatorBar: DWORD
This is so you can have the clock always visible, no matter which panel you're on. You could also set it so that CHome Weather's compact view is always on top. Whatever plugin is first on the list.
More info from MS coming down the pipe:
We can get the day of the week on the clock plugin at the top of CHome by doing this:
Replace this portion...
<!-- Date --> <Text ID="Date" Left="180" Top="83" Width="110" Height="19" FontFamily="Segoe Condensed" FontSize="9" FontStyle="Bold" Wrap="False" HorizontalAlignment="Left" Trimming="EllipsisCharacter"></Text>
With this!
<!-- Date -->
<Text ID="Date" Left="180" Top="83" Width="110" Height="19" FontFamily="Segoe Condensed" FontSize="9" FontStyle="Bold" Wrap="False" HorizontalAlignment="Left" Trimming="EllipsisCharacter"></Text>
<Text ID="Day of Week" Left="65" Top="83" Width="110" Height="19" FontFamily="Segoe Condensed" FontSize="9" FontStyle="Bold" Wrap="False" HorizontalAlignment="Right" Trimming="EllipsisCharacter"></Text>
I will incorporate this in Chome Weather fore sure!
Here you go, the first is my Home
2nd is Scroll Down once
3rd is Scroll Down twice
4th is Scroll Down Thrice
heh
Edit: Tried Month in cpr, no luck.
will keep trying
I'm glad people are finally getting this information out. It makes customization that much easier. I'm adding the tips to the wiki as well, as they come out.
How to Reload the Homescreen
I have two questions:
1. After editing my CHome cpr file, how do I reload the homescreen without having to reboot the device?
2. How can I show any text on the clock panel? Regular text is defined by Text ID = "xxxxx", where xxxxx is something like Time, Network Name, etc. However, suppose I want to have the text "Knowledge Rules", how do I set it up in XML?
I have very little programming and Excalibur experience. So, I apologize if these questions are too naive or have been answered before.
Thanks a lot in advance.
you can use this if you dont use OrganicM Chome Weather
I don't think Microsoft has put out much documentation on the sliding panels plugin yet. Most of the CHome configurations use
Code:
TextID="text 1"
as the delimiter for static text. But that's not to say that the clock plugin will recognize that as a valid section. Could work. Could make your phone useless.
beartard said:
I don't think Microsoft has put out much documentation on the sliding panels plugin yet. Most of the CHome configurations use
Code:
TextID="text 1"
as the delimiter for static text. But that's not to say that the clock plugin will recognize that as a valid section. Could work. Could make your phone useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not understand. How do I make the phone know that:
text 1 = Knowledge Rules?
Typical syntax seems to be Text ID = "xxxx", where xxxx is a variable name, which is recognized by the device. If Text 1 is a valid variable for the device, how do I assign it a value? Am I rambling here?
No, you're not rambling. As far as the information coming from Microsoft and disseminated here on this site goes, it's a best guess right now.
someone at msdn blog asked the same question.
Someone at msdn blog asked the same question. Let's wait to see if we get an answer from there...
From http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile...ustomizing-the-sliding-panel-homescreen.aspx:
"Jorgeba, thanks for taking the time to educate your user. I have some questions.
How do you change the text in the condense clock? The .cpr file has Text ID="Text 1". How is "Text 1" define? I would love to add the date to the condense layout.
The ActionURL and Softkey2 URL in the Appointments plug-in always open calendar in the today view. Is there a way to make one of the button opens calendar in the month view? Setting the default view for calendar does not help."
Easy as pie......
If you know what you are doing.
If you have any xml experience,then you'll know how to adjust x and y values to position things in different places. Yes, you can do that. Just change x=whatever and y=whatever to where you would like them to be. Just know this means that it will start on the left and move x pixels over and y pixels down. If you put in negative values, it will shift them in the opposite direction.
Eg. x=-whatever will move it to the left vs a + value which will move it to the right. Same for y=
Also, you can adjust the valignment and halignment to center, left, or right.
Have fun with these. They apply to everything in your cpr (That's the layout for your homescreen.It's in your \Windows directory on your phone).I mean everything, from where your network displays, right down to your pictures.
That's it. Have fun!
jaymit said:
Hi,
Sorry Im kind of a newbie :s, is it possible to edit home screen panels? I wanted to change the layout and look of the clock plugin.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anybody know how to change font color for certain panels or certain lines of text in the panel? Is it only possible for the whole homescreen?
As far as I know even as far as old xml coding works, you can only change a font color for a selected word or unselected word. Meaning, if you have the old 6.0 your plugins that are selected could have a different color, but unselected could be another color. This applied to the entire homescreen. I have not seen different colors for different plugins, since each panel style is basically its own plugin (each has its own unique GUID), then I doubt you can change font color for each plugin. You can more than likely only change the active selected panel and inactive panel fonts. I am not sure what their titles are in the cpr, but I know that in the old 6.0, the homecolor was one of the fonts colors and the other was called something else.
Eventhough this is 6.1, it doesn't look like much has changed as far as the fonts color goes. You could, however, always try adding a "fontcolor=" command in the cpr and a hex code and try it, to see if it works.
Hope this helps.
Edit your registry or get CHome Config
Both do the same thing. You want to change the plugin order for CHome. It's located in HKLM\Security\CHome\Default Settings and in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CHome. Edit the order you want your plugins to go. Reboot your phone and the new edits should be reflected in your homescreen layout. If you are having trouble cause this is new. Just search this thread for CHome Configurator. It's stickied at the top of this forum. Download it and it will let you select the order in a much easier way. Make sure you reboot, though, or else your changes won't show. Hope this fixes your problem. Later.
tae-xda said:
How to change the default location for where the CMyPhotos plugin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rollingondubs1 said:
I have that already, All my games are under a folder which i cant make it as a action url
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this
"ACTIONURL" = "\Windows\Start Menu\Games\xxxxx xxxx.lnk
or this
"ACTIONURL" = "\windows\fexplore.exe; \windows\start menu\games"
Yes you can
One last time, I think I've figured out how to help you.
1. Open Chome Config.
2. Scroll to MyApplication and select it with your center button.
3. Scroll to any page you want to edit. Then scroll down to where it says ActionURL. Press menu.
4. Once in the menu select the "1 Change URL" item.
5. Once you have selected that it will take you to a file explorer. Go to \Windows\Start Menu\Games. This is where your games should be. If not, then wherever you store, your games, navigate yourself to that folder and select the file you want.
I think this should cover it. Hope this solved your problem. HOLLA!!!!
rollingondubs1 said:
I have that already, All my games are under a folder which i cant make it as a action url
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to change the location of CMyPhoto to \Storage Card\My Documents\My Picturs
Does anyone know if there is a way to adjust the sensitivity of the touch screen. I have noticed that with some programs like IContact and PocketCM the touch screen is really sensitive and it makes it nice for scrolling while with a lot of the stock programs like messaging and such I have to push harder on the screen to get it to recognize that I am touching it. I have noticed a 5 or 6 digit number in the reg under a key that had something to do with the touch screen at least I think it did but it is an odd number that I am unsure of what it means. If I am correct and it is a reg edit to adjust the sensitivity then could someone post maybe a small explanation on how far to go or how far to not go and which way would make it more sensitive or is there a program that will do this for me. TIA
yes there is my friend. just do a search here and u will find all ur answers.
1 - This tweak will reduce the amount of pressure it takes to use the cube gestures.
1. Open any reg editing software (PHM Reg EDIT is nice)
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings
3. In HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD fingerpressure.
4. Enter into edit mode then either double or quadruple your oem setting which is 3760
5. WARNING! DO NOT decrease the OEM value, because then IT WILL ACTUALLY TAKE MORE PRESSURE.
6. Soft reset and enjoy reduced pressure gestures!!
GENERAL WARNING: NEVER DECREASE fingerpressure Value. Decreasing the value means applying MORE than needed pressure on your touch screen, which may render your screen damagaed.
2 - This tweak will reduce the pressure you need to apply with your fingers or while typing with stylus.
1. Through the PHM registry editor(or any PPC registry editor)
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\touchpanel
3. Then find DWORD pressurethreshold
4. Change the value of pressurethreshold. (INCREASE value ONLY!)
Personally I tried doubling the default value, until i have reached my desired setting.
Now, its like tapping soflty without having a feeling that i have screen protector. Also less stress on the stylus and screen and faster tapping.
Recommended Values: My Touchpanel Threshold is at 38372 and Touchflo is at 15040. Works great.
3 - Cube tweak to speed up the way in which your cube rises and falls.
1. Open Reg editing software
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD ...speedhigh
4. Enter in to edit mode then either double or quadruple your oem setting which is 40
5. Then find HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD ...speedlow
6. Enter in to edit mode then either double or quadruple your oem setting which is 65
WARNING! DO NOT decrease the OEM value. Else it will MAKE IT SLOWER FOR THE CUBE TO RISE and FALL.
7. Soft reset then enjoy
Personal Settings: speedhigh at 160 and speedlow at 260
3 - Cube tweak to lower the time delay it takes for the cube to responed.
1. Open Reg editing software
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings
3. In HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD ...delaydiff
4. Enter in to edit mode then lower that down to what ever setting is good for you, your oem setting which is 40
WARNING! DO NOT increase the OEM value, unless you want the cube to respond slower.
My Setting is 25. I think thats the lowest.
yearn said:
1 - This tweak will reduce the amount of pressure it takes to use the cube gestures.
1. Open any reg editing software (PHM Reg EDIT is nice)
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings
3. In HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD fingerpressure.
4. Enter into edit mode then either double or quadruple your oem setting which is 3760
5. WARNING! DO NOT decrease the OEM value, because then IT WILL ACTUALLY TAKE MORE PRESSURE.
6. Soft reset and enjoy reduced pressure gestures!!
GENERAL WARNING: NEVER DECREASE fingerpressure Value. Decreasing the value means applying MORE than needed pressure on your touch screen, which may render your screen damagaed.
2 - This tweak will reduce the pressure you need to apply with your fingers or while typing with stylus.
1. Through the PHM registry editor(or any PPC registry editor)
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\touchpanel
3. Then find DWORD pressurethreshold
4. Change the value of pressurethreshold. (INCREASE value ONLY!)
Personally I tried doubling the default value, until i have reached my desired setting.
Now, its like tapping soflty without having a feeling that i have screen protector. Also less stress on the stylus and screen and faster tapping.
Recommended Values: My Touchpanel Threshold is at 38372 and Touchflo is at 15040. Works great.
3 - Cube tweak to speed up the way in which your cube rises and falls.
1. Open Reg editing software
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD ...speedhigh
4. Enter in to edit mode then either double or quadruple your oem setting which is 40
5. Then find HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD ...speedlow
6. Enter in to edit mode then either double or quadruple your oem setting which is 65
WARNING! DO NOT decrease the OEM value. Else it will MAKE IT SLOWER FOR THE CUBE TO RISE and FALL.
7. Soft reset then enjoy
Personal Settings: speedhigh at 160 and speedlow at 260
3 - Cube tweak to lower the time delay it takes for the cube to responed.
1. Open Reg editing software
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings
3. In HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE\software\OEM\TFLOSettings find DWORD ...delaydiff
4. Enter in to edit mode then lower that down to what ever setting is good for you, your oem setting which is 40
WARNING! DO NOT increase the OEM value, unless you want the cube to respond slower.
My Setting is 25. I think thats the lowest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for you quick response. I was looking at other threads and they are all saying to change the value lower and when I did my screen stopped responding just like you said so I started to change the value high. I went all the way to 200,000 on both settings. I noticed a huge change in how much pressure it took to use the stylus but not as much for finger response. I use my left hand to navigate my screen and I noticed that my index finger worked better then my thumb and at first thought it was because of the size of the finger touching the screen but then I realized that it was actually because my index finger had an old blister on it and the skin was dry so it was more like a stylus then a finger to the screen. Sorry I just read what I wrote and I know it is kinda gross but I don't know any other way to explain my findings. Any way thanks again for your response, you verified my results.
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For VGA and QVGA we recommend that you install Giannis86 versions, since they contain all language layouts. New Giannis QVGA fixed cabs are now available, as well as official WVGA / WQVGA with small updates in layouts for: Greek, Spanish and Hebrew languages.
>>> HOT! Giannis86 VGA with arrows cab / all languages included and some extra features!
>>> HOT! Giannis86 QVGA with arrows cab / all languages included and some extra features!
>>> HOT! Giannis86 QVGA without arrows cab / all languages included and some extra features!
>>> Available for download: Giannis86 VGA without arrows cab / all languages included and some extra features! You can read more about Giannis86 VGA version in a dedicated thread.
>>> Available for download: WVGA & WQVGA (all languages)
>>> Available for download: VGA & QVGA - utak3r editions
(not all languages included)
Check out FingerKeyboard video demonstration:
Please note that the speed of typing in
this video is intentionally slightly slowed
down - this was done so that it is easier
to see what buttons are being typed
during the demonstration.
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
Before installing FingerKeyboard2, please make sure you find out what is the correct installation version for your device. You will see that we have attached several different versions - they're designed to work on specific device resolutions.
Do not download before you know exactly what you need for your specific device! Explanation of how to discover what resolution your device has is described in HELP AND FAQ document listed few posts below!
Speaking of which - READ the whole HELP AND FAQ text; it will help you understand how to configure and use this keyboard!
INSTALLATION:
- IF YOU HAVE OLDER VERSIONS OF FINGERKEYBOARD, PLEASE UNINSTALL THEM BEFORE INSTALLING V2.1! After removing old version, please restart the device and remove FingerKeyb folder before proceeding!
- Run the attached .cab file (recommend you install to device memory).
- The keyboard will install into /Program files/FingerKeyb. There is also a link to Configuration tool in the Start > Programs.
- After installation, a Configuration utility will open. Here you can customize the layouts, choose color schemes and configure various options of FingerKeyboard2.
- Click on OK and softreset the device.
- Open up your standard keyboard (in SMS for example), click on the small arrow next to the middle keyboard icon and go to "Other input options".
- FingerKeyb should be listed there, select it and you're good to go!
- If you wish to set FingerKeyb as default keyboard, even after restart of your device, use SIP change application. Remember to set the time-delay to 40-50 seconds! Some users reported that another app, with same functionality, called IMSelector works better on Samsung Omnia.
HOW TO UNINSTALL?
Go into Settings > System > Remove programs. It is listed as "Exidler's FingerKeyboard".
CREDITS:
Created and programmed by Exidler
Designed by Rozenthal
Main tester ChrisCross
Big thanks to people who helped us in creating this application (in no special order): Berkut_G, utak3r, GoldCoin, Cerato, Schreda, Panosha, JBouRas, SBS, BadCluster, Taiseer999, Borchert, Hanackin, Iligcons, Allbercik, Ombre.px, Nvidia32, derfler, ilovepunani, elite-fusion, RoozbehDream, Giannis86, parasite81, bugsykoosh, Reefhunter49, Chompy18 (if I forgot someone, please PM me!)
PROGRESS:
v2.1 - new and improved FKBD2 with unique features (5. april, 2009)
v2.0 - official release of updated FingerKeyboard
v1.4 to v2.0 beta - closed beta testing (link to 1.4 thread)
v1.4 - alternate language layout for landscape mode. New vertical num pad.
v1.3 - updated landscape graphics and layout, fixed bugs.
v1.2 - updated vertical layout, now supports limited landscape mode, new .dll and register files.
v1.1 - vertical support for 2 languages + numeric keypad, new graphics, new layout
v1.0 - exidler's original version
DISCLAIMER / LICENSE / EULA
Please read carefully the terms and conditions of this End User License Agreement ("EULA") before installing FingerKeyboard software ("Software").
This EULA provides a license agreement between authors of FinkerKeyboard ("Licensors") and you (person) ("Licensee") to use the Software and contains warranty information and liability disclaimers.
By installing and using the Software you accept and agree to the terms of this EULA. If you do not agree with these terms and conditions, you must cancel the installation or, if the Software is already installed on your device, promptly uninstall it.
OWNERSHIP
The Licensee acknowledges and agrees that the Software is a product of the Licencors. It is protected under international copyright law. All copyrights are exclusively owned by Exidler and Rozenthal.
LICENSE GRANT
The Software is freeware. However, the Licensee may use it only and exclusively for private personal and non-commercial usage, and only under conditions which do not contradict the restrictions noted below. If you want to use Software for anything else, you must contact the Licencors. Software may not be bundled or distributed with any other package without written permission of the Licensors.
NO WARRANTIES
The Software is distributed "as is" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. The Licensee uses the Software at his own risk. The Licencors shall not be liable to the Licensee for any kind of consequences, which occur or not occur while installing, using or uninstalling the Software.
RESTRICTIONS
In accepting the EULA granted by Licensor, Licensee agrees that he shall not
1. Sublicense, sell, lease, rent, permit use of, give, or lend the Software
or any copy or portion thereof;
2. Decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, analyze, or otherwise attempt to
discover the source code of the Software;
3. Use or incorporate the Software or any portion thereof in any other product
without the prior written permission of the Licensor;
4. Remove, alter, or obscure the copyright, trademark, proprietary, or other
notices from the Software or any of its components.
Licensee is allowed to edit existing or create new language layouts, and share them with other users. Licensee is allowed to edit existing or create new graphic elements, but only with respect to copyright and trademark notices.
DISTRIBUTION
The Licensee may NOT redistribute the Software by any mean (CD, DVD, Web site...) without permission from Licencors.
TERMINATION
The Licensee may terminate the EULA at any time. Also, the EULA will terminate automatically if Licensee fails to comply with the restrictions described above. Upon termination of the EULA, the Licensee shall remove all copies of the Software from his (her, its) device and all storage media.
Here you can say "Thank you" to us
HELP AND FAQ - Frequently asked questions
HELP AND FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Read this whole text before using the FingerKeyboard or asking for help! If your question is already answered in FAQ it will be ignored. Don't be lazy!
What version should I install on my XYZ device? / What is WVGA, WQVGA, VGA and QVGA?
To successfully install Fingerkeyboard on your device, you need to pick the correct version for your phone. For example, let's say you want to find out what resolution Samsung Omnia has. Type "Samsung Omnia review" into Google, and among the first few results usually you'll get the most popular review sites listed. Reviews always contain resolution information, so we easily find out that Samsung Omnia has a 400x240 pixels resolution. That means you should install FKBD WQVGA cab.
Here's the list of supported resolutions for FingerKeyboard, with their standard abbreviations:
WVGA - 800x480
WQVGA - 400x240
VGA - 640x480
QVGA - 320x240
Why does FingerKeyboard look differently on my device then on the screenshots?
There can be some small differences between the screenshots and what you see on your screen. The reason for this is that different layouts can have different features, graphic elements or button layouts. We consider English layout to be the "standard" layout, with best combination of button size and positions.
How can I type those special characters that appear above normal characters?
Press and hold a key.
How to switch to landscape mode
Minimize the keyboard before rotating, then open it back again after the screen changes orientation.
How to switch to full CAPS?
Press and hold the shift button.
Spacebar
If you press and hold spacebar button it will write a dot followed by a space.
How to use text selection?
Switch to full CAPS mode and then use arrow buttons to select text.
How to use cut / copy / paste / undo?
Switch to full CAPS mode, select the text you want to cut or copy, and press and hold the appropriate action buttons. On some layouts these are named "cut", "copy" and "pst". Same thing with "undo" option - you can use "undo" at any moment, and it will take you back for unlimited number of steps.
Where is that Config tool you mention?
After you install FingerKeyboard, go to Start > Programs > Finger Keyboard.
How can I switch to numeric keyboard?
Press 123 button. If your layout does not have dedicated 123 button, press Shift and 123 will appear on your Language toggle button. Behavior of Language toggle button can be customized in Configuration tool.
How can I change a color scheme of the keyboard?
Config tool > Main > Color scheme: select which ever you like and press OK or Apply.
How can I select language layouts?
Config tool > Main: you will see a list of all language layouts you have in your FKBD folder. Put a tick next to the layouts you want to use and press OK or Apply. We also advise you to physically delete layouts you don't want to use (Program files / FingerKeyb / Skins). This will make Config tool start up a little bit faster and use less memory.
What are all those Backspace options in Config tool?
Behavior of Backspace key can be customized to suit your needs. You can separately control what will Backspace do on short click and long press, as well as how it will behave in small caps or caps lock mode.
How to minimize or turn off the keyboard?
Short press the keyboard toggle button (the one with small keyboard or switch sign on it). Long press on this button will turn off FingerKeyboard and switch to default HTC keyboard.
How to disable click sound?
Run FingerKeyboard Config tool. Under "Options" tab you will find a "Press sound" box. Here you can select from several different click sounds, all of which have "quiet" and "loud" versions. This is useful if you want a subtle click sound, but don't want to lower the volume for the whole System. There is also a "no sound option".
How can I get vibration feedback?
Config tool > Options tab > Press vibrate. Here you can select how long you want the vibration feedback to last. Minimum of 20ms will get you a barely noticeable vibration effect, while 80ms will be very strong.
Vibration feedback don't work on my device. Why is this?
If you're having problems with vibration feedback, it's most likely that our autodetect LED vibration feature don't work well on your device. However, you can play around with "VibrateLed 1" string in skin-01-global.txt (Program Files\FingerKeyb\Skins) and see if perhaps changing to another LED number will work for you.
How can I control the key-press delay? / What is "Hold time" / Can I make the keys repeat on press+hold?
"Hold time" option in Config tool is a cool option you can use to control how long it will be needed for a key to be continuously pressed before it writes a letter or performs an action. This part of the "Hold time" function is controlled with numbers in the first box. The second box controls how long will it take for a key to be continuously pressed before it starts repeating itself. So, if you put 500ms in the first box, and 200ms in the second box, that means you will have to press a key for 500ms before it performs it's "long press" action, and 200ms more before it starts repeating that function. If you hold the key even longer, it will then gradually accelerate.
Can I hide / show Windows menu bars?
Yes, go to Config tool and under "Options" tab select how you want the keyboard to display in Portrait and Landscape mode. We suggest selecting "Show bar" for portrait, and "Hide bar" for landscape.
I want the pop-up images to stay longer on screen. How can I do this?
In Config tool, Options tab, there is a "Popup time" box. Here you can select how long will the pop-up image stay on screen after a key has been pressed. If you set pop-up time to 1500ms, this means the pop-up image will stay on screen for 1.5 seconds, or until next key is pressed. Pop-up image delay affects ONLY the normal character keys (A,B,C,D etc). Special action keys, such as Shift, Space, Backspace etc. have default short time and will not stay on your screen. This is done to avoid action keys images covering large areas of the screen with their larger pop-up images.
What are Smiles / Shortcuts?
This is a feature that no other keyboard has. It allows you to control what any of the several predefined actions keys will do when you press and hold them. Almost all layouts have these special actions included (between 7 and 11 actions on most of the layouts). You can control what will show up on a key when you open the keyboard, as well as what that key will write when you press+hold it. For example, you can type into "Key text" box "info" and into "Action text" you could type "John Smith, gsm:00123456789, e-mail: [email protected]". Or maybe your favorite web address. Or your signature. Or your wife's name. Or your lover's name for all we care The possibilities are endless! You can do the same thing for smiles - if you don't like the default ones, use your own, or something else!
A special key I need is missing / Can I customize smiles / Can I change shortcuts?
If there's a key missing in your language layout, you can easily add it yourself by using either Smiles or Shortcuts tab in Config tool. Simply type the missing key into two of the horizontal boxes and the key will appear when you long press a button that has that Smiles / Shortcut action.
Why does XYZ language layout have only a few smiles / shortcuts buttons?
Some language layouts have very high demands regarding the number of characters they need to occupy. Because of this there are a few language layouts that may have a smaller number of smiles / shortcuts spaces reserved. We've tried to include as many as possible, believe us!
How can I make FingerKeyboard a default keyboard? / How can I keep FingerKeyboard as default keyboard even after reset?
You can use a small program called SIP Change. Look it up on XDA-developers.com forum, and remember to set delay to 40-50 seconds.
"Where is XYZ language layout? Why is it not included!?"
If you want a certain language layout, first check FingerKeyboard2.1 thread on XDA-developers.com forum if someone maybe already made an additional layout and posted it there. If not, the best thing you can do is to make your own layout and share it with other people. If your layout is good, we'll probably include it in next version. Please do not spam us with "I WANT THIS LANGUAGE!!!" messages. All language layouts depend exclusively on the community to produce them.
Editing instructions:
You can use the existing layouts to make it custom layouts! The easiest way is to open one of the layout skin txt files and replace the existing characters with your own. Experiment a bit, and you will soon get the hang of it. Same applies if you want to make your own skin - edit the included bitmaps, and change the appropriate lines in txt files. Everything you want to know about actions, layouts, colors and resolutions is explained in "doc-about-skin.txt", located in the root of the FingerKeyb folder. Read it first before asking for help!
Xt9 / word and contact name suggestion
XT9 & TEXT SUGGESTION:
This keyboard does not support T9. However, there is an option to enable standard Windows Mobile word suggestion, as well as SMS contact name suggestion. There are two ways to do this.
First way is to use the FingerKeyboard Config tool and select what you want to use (Word / SMS suggestion, or both). SMS suggestions will work normally, but for WinMo word suggestion to function, you will need to switch to HTC default keyboard and manually turn on XT9 on the little T9 switch. After that, you can reload FingerKeyboard and everything will work normally. This can be a good way for people who like to use T9 on other keyboards, but also want to use FingerKeyboard without T9. This approach also makes it possible to use new HTC style suggestion windows (the ones with small arrows on each side, where you can flip between names / words).
To avoid messing around with XT9 switch on HTC keyboard you can simply globally disable XT9 across the whole system. That means that T9 will not work even on system keyboards that have T9 support, but SMS / Word suggestions will both work. This will disable the HTC style suggestion windows, and use the default WinMo style (opens a simple white window with list of suggested words or names). The patch file which disables XT9 globally is attached in this post. This patch can be uninstalled. If you already have it installed, you do not have to remove it or reinstall it. Also, please note that when you install this patch, you will not be able to select SMS /Word options in FingerKeyb config tool - they will always be grayed out.
It might be best to install the FingerKeyb cab and test it first. You can always globally disable XT9 later on if you decide so.
There is a known bug with Word suggestion, that has been almost fully fixed in this version of FingerKeyboard. The bug manifests itself like this:
- if you have "Text word suggestion" turned on, and you type an SMS message, the "home" and "end" buttons will not work while the word suggestion window is open on the screen. If you select a word, those keys will work normally. Unfortunately, this isn't our fault - it's actually a bug in Word suggestion app.
Using FKBD2.1 in ROMs
Using FKBD2.1 in ROMs
If you are a ROM cooker and wish to use FingerKeyboard2 bundled in your ROM, you no longer have to request permission to cook FKBD! You may use it in your custom ROM's, as long as you leave the core files unchanged and give proper credits to us..
ROM chefs may find the following info useful. Be aware that this is all info we can provide. If you have problems, please search XDA forums for various solutions.
Registering keyboard in system.
- register dll as com object
or
- add to registry this values:
=====================================
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{C03755DF-3EE7-41DF-AE5E-3FBBCA603F1A}]
@="FingerKeyb"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{C03755DF-3EE7-41DF-AE5E-3FBBCA603F1A}\DefaultIcon]
@="\\Program Files\\FingerKeyb\\FingerKeyb.dll,0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{C03755DF-3EE7-41DF-AE5E-3FBBCA603F1A}\IsSIPInputMethod]
@="1"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{C03755DF-3EE7-41DF-AE5E-3FBBCA603F1A}\InprocServer32]
@="\\Program Files\\FingerKeyb\\FingerKeyb.dll"
=====================================
Path to .dll can be different.
In registry is saved only which skin files need to load and
which layout was last for each process.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FingerKeyb]
list of exe names and which layout must be restored for this process.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FingerKeyb\SkinFiles]
list of skin files names in _lowercase_
skin-00-scheme-blackblue.txt = DWORD:0 -this means "don't load this skin file"
skin-00-scheme-blackred.txt = DWORD:1 -this means "load this skin file"
Skin files that do not exists in this key will be loaded by keyboard automatically.
Skins directory is relative to place of keyboard DLL.
=====================================
All other settings are saved in skin files (mostly in skin-01-global.txt)
Exception is HTC T9 settings:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Tegic\eT9]
IsSupportMSSIPContact = DWORD:1 - sms name suggestion
XT9SupportMSSip = DWORD:1 - word
But this settings is applied only if:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Layouts\e0010409]
"Ime File" = "et9ime.dll"
Media kit
Media kit for media / press / bloggers
If you are a representative of the media, and wish to cover FingerKeyboard2 in your magazine, portal or blog, below you will find a ZIP-ed media kit.
Inside it is a short text about FingerKeyboard v2.1, several full size screenshots, high-quality FingerKeyboard logo as well as some other graphics that can be used in publications of any kind.
If you have any additional questions, you will find the needed contacts within the info-text.
We would also kindly ask you to inform us when you publish your cover on FingerKeyboard.
Bug tracking
BUG TRACKER for v2.1
This space is reserved for bug tracking.
Even though the latest version of FingerKeyboard2 has been tested on multiple devices with different ROM-s for more then 20 days, it's very likely that we missed some bugs.
When reporting bugs, please try to be as detailed as possible. The more information you supply, the easier it will be to find the bug and squash it. And we like squashing bugs! Some bugs with previous versions of FingerKeyboard were caused by 3rd party software. The usual suspects are other 3rd party keyboards.
DEBUG LOGGER! PLEASE USE IT IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS!
Attached below, you will find Fingerkeyb_debug.dll file. This file will create a debug log which you can then send to us, so we can detect problems and try to fix them in the next release. It is mostly aimed at solving the problem that some people have with landscape mode, but it can be used to track any other problems as well. Debug logger is not that painless to use, but if you really want our help, this is the best way for us to detect what the problem is.
To start using this, you will need Resco Explorer or Total Commander CE.
Go into FingerKeyb folder (Program Files).
1. rename Fingerkeyb.dll to something else (example: Fingerkeyb_.dll)
2. Copy FingerKeybd_debug.dll to Program Files/FingerKeyb directory.
3. Rename FingerKeyb_debug.dll to FingerKeyb.dll
4. Softreset the phone
5. Open the FingerKeyboard, press 1-10 random keys on keyboard.
6. Minimize the keyboard, rotate the phone and open the keyboard again, after the phone is in landscape mode. Try to press 1-10 random keys again.
7. If you encounter the landscape bug, switch to HTC keyboard, making sure that it shows in landscape correctly.
8. Copy the FingerKeyb.log in working directory to a different folder on your device or PC and after that select FingerKeyboard again.
9. You will now have 2 log files. Rename them so they don't have the same file name and send them to Rozenthal or Exidler.
If you do not have Resco File Explorer or Total Commander CE, you can try this procedure:
0. Unregister keyboard using the old Fingerkeyb_register.exe (found in v1.4 thread) and then softreset
1. same as above
2. same as above
3. same as above
4. Register keyboard with the Fingerkeyb_register.exe
5. same as above
6. same as above
7. same as above
8. same as above
9. same as above
The logging tool will seem very slow, that's normal - it needs to write a bunch of info on every keypress, so take it easy. After you're done, you can simply reverse the procedure: remove the debug.dll, rename back the original Fingerkeyb.dll, and continue using the keyboard normally.
The log files can be sent to us via private messages here on XDA. Also, please do not expect to instantly receive a magical solution for your problem. If a simple solution exists, we will message you on how to apply it. If it's an issue that requires changing FingerKeyboard core files, it's more likely that the issue will be fixed in future versions of the software.
__________________________________
>>> B U G L I S T <<<
[06. april, 2009]
- Some color schemes in WQVGA have problems (FIXED)
- Some layouts in WQVGA version are causing problems / stuck in numerical keypad (FIXED)
- Samsung Omnia problems with Contact name suggestion (FIXED by installing T9 disable patch)
- Contact name SMS suggestion not working for some people on Touch HD with Dutty 2.6 ROM (FIXED by installing T9 disable patch)
[07. april, 2009]
- Switching from landscape back to portrait can sometimes result in a few pixels big square in top left corner of the device screen. This square looks like a piece of keyboard and can be pressed. The square goes away if you run Config tool or reload keyboard. (unresolved)
Damn you space hungry person! Looking forward to the release though . Any estimated time when it'll be done so I know if I should stay awake or not.
Lol! Really can't wait for this to come out!!!
i should send you to work more often!
i'll be staying here all night, just in case you decide to open another project........i am watching you!
Persian (Farsi) Language for this lovely keyBoard
Farsi-skin-FingerKeyboard-v2.1.zip
geeeeeez, c'mon guys, make us happy
Guys, we're working our asses off here, so be just a little bit more patient
I know we've pushed the deadlines like 10 times so far, but I hope all this waiting will be worth it.
I will update the thread title once we have some cab's ready for you!
Absolutely astoning news. Can't expect it more, C'mon dude!
Sweet.... downloading..... installing..... crashing.. j/k
Will give feedback as soon as i have any
yay! this is great
Woah. Can't believe the effort you guys put into this. Good job.
Just downloaded!
Thank you for your efforts.
Works perfectly! Thank you for this great app!
BTW: The XL-Layouts work with 2.1 as well!
This is so fxxxing awesome. (Sry about f word)
You guys have done some really amazing work here! This keyboard is perfect in every way as far I'm concerned. Thank you so much for your hard work and your willingness to share this with us!!!
Is there a way to hide certain input panels on the window form using configuration or config file of some sort?
For example.... let's say in my database I have items with 12 possible fields in each (Name, LastName, Age, Occupation, Location.......etc).
But what is a user of application only wants to fill in 3 fields every single time (for example - LastName, Age, Location)? Leaving others in place when user doesn't needs them is an extra clutter. So how can I hide or disable those input panels based on user's preference on which fields he wants to use?
--
I think I found a way to hide items by setting Visible boolean.
Code:
this.txtName.Visible = false;
this.lblName.Visible = false;
this.txtOccupation.Visible = false;
this.lblOccupation.Visible = false;
However, how can I move up other fields between or below them? Currently hiding just creates empty spaces.
You can turn the textbox off completely by setting its enabled property to false.
You can then move other textboxes and labels over it by setting their Location.X and Location.Y properties.
You will have to keep track of where everything is on the screen, and what is enabled and what isn't.
stephj said:
You can turn the textbox off completely by setting its enabled property to false.
You can then move other textboxes and labels over it by setting their Location.X and Location.Y properties.
You will have to keep track of where everything is on the screen, and what is enabled and what isn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Do you know if there is an easy way to move everything up? (lets say I make first item invisible and want to move the 10 items below up) Or will I have to call everyone individually to move up?
Also.. Is there away how I can use TabIndex to call those forms?
There are others ways to accomplish what you are looking for, but no easy route to it.
They all end up as broad as long. You either spend time during the design stage, creating an array of possible tabbed forms to be used by the program later, or spend time designing the program to deal dynamically with the fields required. The latter of the two is harder to do, but it is far more elegant.
Sorry, but there is no silver bullet.
Hi guys,
there seems to be a limitation in W10M regarding the number of tile folders on the start screen. I tried it on different devices and could create 25 tile folders, but I need more... Creating the 26th always results just in a start screen reload before the has device recognized that a tile is put on top of another tile.
Is there I way to tweak it? I suppose the layout is stored in an XML file or in a database. I'd just try to edit this resource adding more folder elements.
_AndyAndy_ said:
Hi guys,
there seems to be a limitation in W10M regarding the number of tile folders on the start screen. I tried it on different devices and could create 25 tile folders, but I need more... Creating the 26th always results just in a start screen reload before the has device recognized that a tile is put on top of another tile.
Is there I way to tweak it? I suppose the layout is stored in an XML file or in a database. I'd just try to edit this resource adding more folder elements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can customize in here.
http://www.upsieutoc.com/image/RI0oVh
Aries Prine said:
You can customize in here.
http://www.upsieutoc.com/image/RI0oVh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screenshot you point to explains TileColumnSize that is used to define how much tiles/tile folders are displayed in a row. But it isn't a problem. My problem is how to CREATE more than 25 tile FOLDERS on the start screen.
_AndyAndy_ said:
The screenshot you point to explains TileColumnSize that is used to define how much tiles/tile folders are displayed in a row. But it isn't a problem. My problem is how to CREATE more than 25 tile FOLDERS on the start screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know.
So folks, I pushed two tiles to the very top of the start screen and managed to create the 26th tile folder in this way.
But now a long-tap on every tile or group results into a start screen reload, so I'm unable to edit it at all...
I suppose it's a memory issue. Can plz someone verify it? All my devices have 1 GB RAM and stop at 25/26 tile groups.
I investigated the file system but found no traps of a file that controls the start screen layout.
There is system32\layouts\defaultLayouts.xml which is used for the initial setup after a hard reset.
And there's an interesting MSDN article about customizing the start screen layout via LayoutModification.xml:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/mt171093(v=vs.85).aspx
However it states that "Windows 10 Mobile only supports one Start group". So no chance to outsource the full configuration of the start screen to that file.
Now I'd like to export the phone's registry hoping to find the tile groups configuration there.
Is there a registry export tool? Interop Tools have a registry search but it doesn't search as assumed.
_AndyAndy_ said:
I suppose it's a memory issue. Can plz someone verify it? All my devices have 1 GB RAM and stop at 25/26 tile groups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2GB RAM (Xiaomi Mi4): 25 folders is maximum
adijagiel said:
2GB RAM (Xiaomi Mi4): 25 folders is maximum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx a lot! Sounds good. Should be an artificial pre-defined limitation.
Anyone, how is it possible to export a W10M registry?
_AndyAndy_ said:
Anyone, how is it possible to export a W10M registry?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can copy registry hives from Windows\System32\cache. I don't know if you need unlocked Bootloader and MassStorage mode, or only mtp usb hack, if you want I can send you mine
adijagiel said:
You can copy registry hives from Windows\System32\cache. I don't know if you need unlocked Bootloader and MassStorage mode, or only mtp usb hack, if you want I can send you mine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon, but there is no such path. Spent some time to check different locations, couldn't find the registriy cache...
However I probably found the place where tile configuration is stored:
Phone\Data\Users\DefApps\APPDATA\LOCAL\TileDataLayer\Database
Can somebody plz verify it? I couldn't copy or open them.
A link (regarding W10 desktop) says: "Windows 10 Start screen or Start menu configuration are stored in a database file named vedatamodel.edb, which is always locked or in-use by the system when you’re logged on and can’t be copied." http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/backup-start-menu-layout-windows-10/
_AndyAndy_ said:
Pardon, but there is no such path. Spent some time to check different locations, couldn't find the registriy cache...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, typo , i mean "config" :/