Snoopsoft's Dashboard Continues to Evolve [Archive]

Jason Dunn

02-25-2004, 09:00 PM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=15044' target='_blank'>http://www.handango.com/brainstore/...productId=15044</a><br /><br /></div>I remember using Dashboard back in early 2000, right after the Pocket PC came out. It was such a fantastic concept, and back then I was into skinning, so I made a few skins for it. I heard people requesting a "plain" skin, so I created a very simple beige skin that became part of the default installer for a while. I imagine it's been replaced by now. ;-)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.handango.com/include/pictures/70248/dashdownloadimage.gif" /><br /><br />"SnoopSoft Dashboard is a Today page plug-in that provides a completely skinnable Today page for your Pocket PC! With built-in support for your Agenda (Appointments + Tasks), Inbox, Tasks, Launcher and a personalized screen, you'll never need to leave your Today page to see what's going on or to perform basic maintenance of Tasks. Add to this the ability to customize the interface with the popular 'skin' technology used in many MP3 players and this quickly becomes a "must have" application for the Pocket PC! Now available in English, French, German and Italian!"<br /><br />You can <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=15044">purchase it for $13.00 USD.</a> [Affiliate]

Gator5000e

02-25-2004, 09:07 PM

Dashboard is just the best, IMHO. You can use Today skins or Dashboard skins. It has a clean and simple interface and is plain easy to use.

Duncan

02-25-2004, 09:18 PM

Once I would have jumped at this. Sadly it has just been too long coming. I found Dashboard had limits that other today plug-ins overcame and I've become used to working with alternatives (PIToday, for example) that were not as resource hungry as Dashboard 1.x. Version 2 has just been too long in coming...

pocketdoc

02-25-2004, 09:21 PM

I love this program and have been using it for several years now.

The Beta is now public and allows you to use your other today plug ins like Battery Bar and Journal Bar.

Juni makes the best skins!

I use Wisbar Advanced as well, which compliments Dashboard.

I don't want to start a PPX thread inside of this one, but I did try PPX and for me. it requires too much work to set it up, whereas Dashboard is "ready to go".

rpommier

02-25-2004, 09:33 PM

I used Dashboard awhile back when I had my Jornada 525... What's the point of it now with Windows Mobile 2003 and its native Today screen functionality?

I have PIToday and Omega One Battery Bar and have it pretty much covered...

pocketdoc

02-25-2004, 10:20 PM

I like it for its program launcher capabilities. I do not use Battery Bar's Program Bar.

There are also E-mail and Contacts plugins, as well as Tasks and Appointments. I don't use those as much as I do not have the need to do so.

It fits well with my needs.

Bob S

02-25-2004, 10:25 PM

Woks great with lots of plugins

Jacob

02-25-2004, 10:36 PM

I have one question.

Has anyone tried this on a 4155? I tried it on my 1910 and it just was too slow to use.

I do imagine it'll be faster on this new device, but has anyone tried yet?

buckyg

02-25-2004, 11:02 PM

I love this app! All of the plugins I use play well with it. It's nice to have multiple Today pages too. I have not seen any slow down or resource problems w/ Dashboard either.

Pat Logsdon

02-25-2004, 11:05 PM

I have one question.

Has anyone tried this on a 4155? I tried it on my 1910 and it just was too slow to use.

I do imagine it'll be faster on this new device, but has anyone tried yet?
Works great with mine! Nice and fast, too. 8)

cookie_monster

02-25-2004, 11:38 PM

I'd like to know if anyone has used the new version of Dashboard with one of the new Pocket PC phones, ie; XDA II and is it fully supported. I tried using Wisbar advance but uninstalled it becasue it didn't support some of the phone edition features.

I'd like to know if its fully supported as the screenshot on the this site seems to indicate it does.

DonDubai

Kash76

02-25-2004, 11:55 PM

Any of you have problems with the new Dash and SPB Plus today module showing up on every view?? It shows up in the middle of all the contacts, launcher, etc even though it's not selected to do so.

Pat Logsdon

02-26-2004, 12:17 AM

KiLLiN-TiMe

02-26-2004, 12:23 AM

The Snoopsoft site (http://www.snoopsoft.com/dashboard/index.html) mentions that the newest version of the software comes with a game called "PegMaster". The manual (http://www.snoopsoft.com/dashboard/manual/pegmaster.html) states that the game is on the MyDash page, but I can't find it. Anyone else with the newest version see it?
Go to the Dashboard settings and click on the My Dash tab. By default it should say "Dashboard_Contacts.dll". Choose "Dashboard_PegMaster.dll" from the dropdown menu.

Palmguy

02-26-2004, 12:52 AM

Now it just needs to work on VGA PPCs :cry:

[Cruzer]

02-26-2004, 01:03 AM

Now it just needs to work on VGA PPCs :cry:

Well it sorta can support vga screens.. i've made a skin for it but dashboard
is locking up on softreset. I used the skinme app and it has vga support.

RC

shawnc

02-26-2004, 01:39 AM

Hate to go "Negative" but I still say it's criminal that I have to purchase a 3rd party app to have my Tasks list on my Today screen :evil: .

Kicks

02-26-2004, 02:15 AM

Just out of curiousity...

Can you use the d-pad on the today screen to scroll between sections in the dashboard app?

I can't do it with version 1.0 from the today screen, but I can when I launch the application through it's normal launcher.

Anyone know?

Pat Logsdon

02-26-2004, 02:27 AM

coder33404

02-26-2004, 04:54 AM

I have been using the beta since about 2.0.15 or so and couldn’t live without this app!!! Here is one thing I have found about it, it doesn’t like when you have anything running off of the WM03 today screen EXCEPT dashboard. Run all your today screen plugins from inside dashboard and it will run flawlessly!!! It also seems more responsive that way and Dashboard will even give you a convenient way to set each of plugins options up in Dashboards options menu. :mrgreen: :D :mrgreen: :D

JonnoB

02-26-2004, 05:09 AM

Hate to go "Negative" but I still say it's criminal that I have to purchase a 3rd party app to have my Tasks list on my Today screen :evil: .

Can't you just use tAgenda?

pschultz

02-26-2004, 05:25 AM

Arrrggghhhh..... no trial! I hardly ever purchase a program before I can try it. I can't just look at a program and tell if I like it. Anyone know of a trial that I am not seeing....

SeanH

02-26-2004, 06:26 AM

It looks like my wisbar desktop

http://mbu.com/ipaq2.jpg

That pic is a tad old. I no longer use Mapopolis, Routis is so much better

Sean

Rob Alexander

02-26-2004, 06:27 AM

There's just no substitute for Dashboard for me. All the plug-ins and extra features are secondary to me. It all comes back to letting me see my tasks and appointments in a clean, simple format that let's me know what's going on for that day at a glance. I mean, really, 'you have 4 tasks for today'... how stupid is that?!!! That's like your bank sending you a statement telling you you have some balance in your account. Just write us back if you'd like to know how much it is.

I've tried just about everything out there at one time or another, and while everything is better than the native view, I always come back to Dashboard in the end. It's not optional for me. Nice job, Snoopsoft! :way to go:

jimski

02-26-2004, 07:10 AM

Used this with my first iPAQ but found that it was a resource hog (at least back then). I learned to live without it and can't really think of why I would want to go back to using it.

Rhino Launch and iPAQ Panel do a fine job of displaying multiple lines of launch icons and a battery/memory monitor. Quick Agenda & Quick Tasks, along with Journal Bar round out all my needs for the Today screen. I am actually one of those people who tries to read things on the Today screen, so photos, buildings, mountains or other distractions are just a "no no". A theme as radical as "white10" is about all I can handle.

jnperu

02-26-2004, 07:24 AM

It looks like my wisbar desktop

http://mbu.com/ipaq2.jpg

That pic is a tad old. I no longer use Mapopolis, Routis is so much better

Sean

I like icbar better...check out my themes here...
http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=97946&perpage=15&pagenumber=10

juni

02-26-2004, 07:35 AM

so I created a very simple beige skin that became part of the default installer for a while. I imagine it's been replaced by now

Yup, I made the new default skin. I'm not sure if Chris from Snoopsoft included the WisbarAdvance skin I made for it in the distribution, if not it is at my site.

I especially like the feature that you can turn off today lines in Dashboard. Makes skins look so much nicer. :)

If you want a battery meter on the today screen Dashboard has an option to display this (I usually don't have it enabled since I use the one in WA).

Stephen Beesley

02-26-2004, 09:55 AM

I first used Dashboard way back on my Jornada 545, but when PocketFacelift came out I moved to that. Since then I have had any number of different today add-ons/replacments/plugins installed on my Jornada 568. I have tried PPX and would have to agree that it was just too much work (for me at least) and liked Flash Themes Pro - if only it would allow third party today plug-ins.

But, over the last couple of weeks I have had the 2.045 beta installed on my Jornada (along with some of Juni's excellent skins :D keep up the good work!) and it really is a great program. I have never liked having my appointments and tasks on the today screen but with the combination of Dashboard and PIToday I can have them both only a screen tap away on my tasks page.

As long as Dashboard has been around I have heard comments about it being a resource hog and slowing down the system, but even on my now pretty much obsolescent Jornada I have not noticed any slowing down.

Great Software

cookie_monster

02-26-2004, 10:06 AM

does anyone know if dashboard supports the full features of the PocketPC phone eidtion? still waiting for a reply.

donDubai

cessquill

02-26-2004, 11:09 AM

I've been using Dashboard now for a while, simply because I wanted tasks on the home page. I don't use any other plugins (didn't realise you could until now!), but use icbar. I'd prefer the following additions...

- D-pad to cycle through each screen rather than clicking icons. The theme to decide the order which they are scrolled through. The button to launch the associated application, if available. Maybe up/down buttons to scroll through pages/days, if applicable.
- Sometimes there's a lot of free space on the home page (where I could fit at least two more tasks on). I don't know whether it's how I've grouped my tasks, or how the theme's designed, but it can be a bit of a waste
- Different view settings for tasks on the home page and tasks on the tasks page
- Auto-switch to calendar tab if idle for a set period (so it's on the home page first thing in the morning
- Ability to display owner info on one line
- Improved scheduler for skin-switching, so I could automatically have a work skin and a play skin, and it automatically switches on weekdays/evenings. The ability to quickly switch between skins, so I might have a work skin, a home skin and a car skin that I want to switch between easier (like profiles on a mobile phone).
- Support to fully alter wisbar/icbar icons properly, so the skin can switch the menu appearance fully too. I understand this is bugged at the moment.

Otherwise, great piece of software. Does this news article mean a new version is out, or is it just drawing attention to the existing version?

Andy Roberts

02-26-2004, 01:38 PM

I used to skin alot for Dashboard, over 50 skins many years ago when Neil faulkner was the skinning god.
I have tried repeatly to get my email address changed by snoopsoft to be able to download dashboard again but I have NEVER received a reply.
I even stated please give me the updates i'm entitled to or remove my artwork from the website but still nothing!!

It's a shame I have been treated like this by the makers of an app that I plugged by my skins (used to me on the very old McDebb website).

I wonder if anyone else has had this problem with getting no response from Dashboard. Personally I would be careful purchasing this software as if you do never change your email address or you'll be forgotton!

Now days I use Claunch and find it a fab product which is free.

shawnc

02-26-2004, 01:51 PM

Hate to go "Negative" but I still say it's criminal that I have to purchase a 3rd party app to have my Tasks list on my Today screen :evil: .

Can't you just use tAgenda?

Thanx Jonno. Still a 3rd party solution to what IMO should be basic, included functionality. But at least the price is right :mrgreen: .

juni

02-26-2004, 02:11 PM

Andy: Chris from snoopsoft reads this forum actively:

http://discuss.pocketnow.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=34

Steven Cedrone

02-26-2004, 02:37 PM

I wonder if anyone else has had this problem with getting no response from Dashboard. Personally I would be careful purchasing this software as if you do never change your email address or you'll be forgotton!

Strange, I emailed Chris a few days ago because my old email address was invalid. He emailed my new info back within hours...

Whatever happened to Neil faulkner?

Steve

Pixelnose

02-26-2004, 03:49 PM

Stephen Beesley

02-26-2004, 04:08 PM

I have always prefferred dashboard, but with this latest version the mail reader (the full version) doesn't want to load. In fact, if you choose it, your ipaq 2210 completely freezes and needs to be soft reset. That's kind of a bummer, considering that the full mail plugin used to work but otherwise I like dashboard.

I have had the same problem with with 2045 of Dashboard and the 2005 beta of the full mail plug-in. Damn annoying. On the board referenced by Juni Chris Scott mentioned that now he has released version 2 of Dahboard he is working on the mail functionality, so I presume (hope!) a new version of the full mail plug-in will appear at some stage soon.

Cornish

02-26-2004, 05:50 PM

I downloaded this wounderfull program. :lol:

sracer

02-26-2004, 09:25 PM

Nice to see that this little app is still being developed. Has the demo been upgraded to the same level as the product code?

Rob Alexander

02-27-2004, 05:38 AM

I have tried repeatly to get my email address changed by snoopsoft to be able to download dashboard again but I have NEVER received a reply.
...

I wonder if anyone else has had this problem with getting no response from Dashboard. Personally I would be careful purchasing this software as if you do never change your email address or you'll be forgotton!

One strategy, if anyone wants to buy it but is worried about this issue, is to buy it through Handango. That's where I bought it and it's easy to download the latest versions directly from them. I just type in the order number and the email that I used at the time (I bought Dashboard before the new Handango system that keeps track of your purchases) and it brings it up and let's me download. That old email is defunct, just like Andy's, but they don't send anything to it so it doesn't matter. Now it's even better buying through Handango because it remembers all of your purchases automatically.

Rob Alexander

02-27-2004, 05:48 AM

Yup, I made the new default skin. I'm not sure if Chris from Snoopsoft included the WisbarAdvance skin I made for it in the distribution, if not it is at my site.

Hey Juni. I just stopped by your site. I didn't realize you were the one who wrote the Time Machine skin. I love that one; it's about the only one I use any more. Nice job!!! :beer:

juni

02-27-2004, 07:13 AM

Thanks :)

Calculon

03-02-2004, 10:06 PM

Any idea if this will work on the Toshiba 805 in VGA?

THere is no mention of VGA on the website.

Cheers!

Kicks

03-03-2004, 06:07 AM

Can you use the d-pad on the today screen to scroll between sections in the dashboard app?

I can't do it with version 1.0 from the today screen, but I can when I launch the application through it's normal launcher.
If you mean between Agenda, Tasks, My Dash, etc., then no. Hitting the D-Pad on my 4150 when on the Today screen (with Dashboard loaded at startup) does absolutely nothing.

That would be kind of a neat feature, though.

I wonder if that's a limitation of the pocket pc today screen itself.
I'm kind of annoyed by not being able to scroll up and down using the d-pad when something extends past the normal screen resolution. I have to use the good ol' stylus.

Does anyone know of a fix for this?