Log in

View Full Version : vBar Task Manager

Brad Adrian
07-01-2002, 04:22 PM
<a href="http://www.vieka.com/vbar.htm">http://www.vieka.com/vbar.htm</a><br /><br />Vieka Software is making its new task manager available, for FREE.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/vbar.jpg" /><br /><br />"If you need "Close" and task switching functions with a Pocket PC 2002 and still want to keep all of the original Pocket PC 2002 capabilities such as notification, etc. without suffering any performance slowdown, then vBar is for you."<br /><br />This application is tiny and takes up only 21K. There are also versions for SH3 and MIPS processors, so this may be just the task manager you need.
bobdenotter
07-01-2002, 05:53 PM
Is it me, or does that look like a complete wisbar rip-off?
Chairman Clench
07-01-2002, 06:05 PM
Is it me, or does that look like a complete wisbar rip-off?

Actually, if you go to the web site, the author clearly states that the work is a derivitive of the original WISBar and he credits the original author.

The original WISBar author intentionally opened his code and posted it to the web so that others could use it, modify it, and hopefully improve it.

So, no, I don't think it is a rip-off... it is continuing the development of a great program in the sprit of the original author's wishes.
normaldude
07-01-2002, 06:14 PM
How do I install vBar??
It downloads as a .cab file. Then when I unzip it in WinZip, it has 4 files inside.. but none are an .exe file. The files are:

0000vbar.002
00readme.001
Vbarar~1.000
Vbarse~1.003

Any help? Thanks.
PDAlien
07-01-2002, 06:46 PM
Just copy the CAB file to your Pocket PC, then run it from there to install. No need to unzip the CAB file on your desktop.

This looks cool, but does it support skinning at all?
normaldude
07-01-2002, 06:54 PM
Just copy the CAB file to your Pocket PC, then run it from there to install. No need to unzip the CAB file on your desktop.


Thanks. It worked.
Jason Lee
07-01-2002, 08:41 PM
On my toshiba e740 there is no ok/close button if i am in programs or settings or even the toshiba Home app. There is simply a blank space. The only way to get from programs to today is to use the start menu. Anyone else having this problem?
JonnoB
07-01-2002, 08:50 PM
The first vBar release didn't support the color themes.... does this newest version correct that?
nobody
07-01-2002, 08:55 PM
vBar has some skin capabilities. Buttons, backgrounds etc can be changed. But the whole task bar background can not be changed.
JonnoB
07-01-2002, 09:25 PM
vBar has some skin capabilities. Buttons, backgrounds etc can be changed. But the whole task bar background can not be changed.

The other WisBar project (same original WisBar source) will honor the color scheme from the Today theme. vBar was better in that it only skins the far right of the bar, thus showing the notification tools, etc.. but if it is always blue when your bar is something else, it stands in the way visually.
nobody
07-01-2002, 11:31 PM
If you take that portion of the background of task bar that is visually different, and make it vBar's background, that should work for you.
danielalvers
07-02-2002, 01:44 AM
Looks like something in the logic of detecting programs is not quite working. The Close/Minimise button is not available when in settings or program folders. v1.3 perhaps?

Other than that it is a fantastic app and an excellent example of Skinnyware. I do hate it when you download a task switcher and find that it can set the time based on an atomic clock, or some other bloatware ability.

And its free, very very cool.
Brad Adrian
07-02-2002, 02:13 AM
The Close/Minimise button is not available when in settings or program folders.

Maybe it's because tapping the X in those folders effectively closes them, anyway(?).
JonnoB
07-02-2002, 02:25 AM
If you take that portion of the background of task bar that is visually different, and make it vBar's background, that should work for you.

Yes, I could do that for solid colors... what about gradient fills or when I use software to rotate my Today theme every day? I like the idea of vBar and hope that it does what the other WisBar iteration did and support color scheme.

It is appreciated that these developers do these things - especially for free. I am encouraged to see improvements and with a few more, it would be an indespensable tool.