Plugins and homescreen designer

[snowroller]

Hi

I've just downloaded the homescreen designer, and i'm working on a new theme. The thing I was wondering, is how to get tasks in on the homescreen, I have oxios todo list, and I want my tasks to appear on my homescreen. As far as I can see, there is no possibility for 3. party plugins in the designer....
Anybody care to explain to me how this is done? Kinda stunned of the fact that MS haven't baked in supprt for this from the start!

Thanks in advance for good answers

Espen

Qtek 8010 (SPV C500), 512 mini SD

[Mike Temporale]

I know that the guys at Ruttensoft are working on adding support for other pluggins. However, if it's not already listed in Homescreen Designer, then you'll have to do the editing the old fashion way. :wink:

[snowroller]

I know that the guys at Ruttensoft are working on adding support for other pluggins. However, if it's not already listed in Homescreen Designer, then you'll have to do the editing the old fashion way. :wink:

Ok, that's what i feared. By doing it the old fashion way i guess you mean coding in some language, and I can certainly say that it is not my strong suite. Anyone care to help me code in the task plugin in my homescreen? It's the only thing I miss now to get my version of the perfect home screen.

Thanks in advance

[Mike Temporale]

You'll need to edit the XML file. It's not that hard. I won't be of much help until I get my laptop back from service. Does Oxis provide the plugin code?

[snowroller]

Hmm, that was a good question, I found this theme, which has some plugin that makes it show tasks, but how it is done I'm not really sure of. Maybe someone more experienced in the field of homescreens will be able to figure it out?
The mac homescreen was nice, but I feel it takes a bit to much of my homescreen with stuff I really don't need :D

[Mike Temporale]

Just did some searching, and it looks like most of the information can be found on the Oxios web site.

First you need to download the homescreen plugin. More information can be found here. (http://www.oxios.com/plugins/)

Then this page (http://www.oxios.com/plugins/tasks_technical_informations.html) has the technical details about how to use and setup the plugin, and it even includes some sample code.

Hope that helps. :D

[SassKwatch]

Just did some searching, and it looks like most of the information can be found on the Oxios web site.

First you need to download the homescreen plugin. More information can be found here. (http://www.oxios.com/plugins/)

Then this page (http://www.oxios.com/plugins/tasks_technical_informations.html) has the technical details about how to use and setup the plugin,
And that works great.

[snowroller]

Just did some searching, and it looks like most of the information can be found on the Oxios web site.

First you need to download the homescreen plugin. More information can be found here. (http://www.oxios.com/plugins/)

Then this page (http://www.oxios.com/plugins/tasks_technical_informations.html) has the technical details about how to use and setup the plugin, and it even includes some sample code.

Hope that helps. :D

Yes it really works great, even though I did not go in and edit the xml file.
The reason for that is that on one of the pages you link too, there is a free app that makes your allday-function turn in too tasks function. I installed that and edited the text on the homescreen and I was a happy man. Thanks for all the help!

[Mike Temporale]

Great. Glad everything worked out for ya.

[encece]

I wonder why many dont use the AllDayAppointments at all, and are quick to omit it from homescreens.

That's how I have all of my holidays, birthdays, etc entered into outlook.

[snowroller]

I wonder why many dont use the AllDayAppointments at all, and are quick to omit it from homescreens.

That's how I have all of my holidays, birthdays, etc entered into outlook.

Yes, I know it would be nice to have it there, but I have also set reminders on all birthdays in outlook, so when having to decide between just reminders for birthdays etc or no tasks at all, the decision was easy for me.

[encece]

Why not both?
There's also RJTASKS Plugin by the way.
http://smartphone.peakin.com/

[SassKwatch]

...but I have also set reminders on all birthdays in outlook, so when having to decide between just reminders for birthdays etc or no tasks at all, the decision was easy for me.

I'm probably misreading something here, but do you have birthdays created as Tasks?

I ask only because I have birthdays created as 'All Day' appointments (w/ reminders), 'normal' calendar stuff via Papyrus, and Tasks via Oxios Tasks w/ the Oxios Tasks plugin all appearing on the homescreen. No problemo....works great.

I ask only because it sounds as though you had to make a choice and given the *very* limited SmartPhone experience I have, it doesn't seem you should be forced to make that choice.(?)

[snowroller]

...but I have also set reminders on all birthdays in outlook, so when having to decide between just reminders for birthdays etc or no tasks at all, the decision was easy for me.

I'm probably misreading something here, but do you have birthdays created as Tasks?

I ask only because I have birthdays created as 'All Day' appointments (w/ reminders), 'normal' calendar stuff via Papyrus, and Tasks via Oxios Tasks w/ the Oxios Tasks plugin all appearing on the homescreen. No problemo....works great.

I ask only because it sounds as though you had to make a choice and given the *very* limited SmartPhone experience I have, it doesn't seem you should be forced to make that choice.(?)

Well, the choice I make is based on the fact that I want my homescreen, and I don't have the knowledge on how to incorporate the tasks plugin into the homescreen, due to my terrible programming skills. That is why I choose to do it in the way described above. I am aware that it is possible, I just don't know how :?

[snowroller]

For those of you that havent seen it, homescreen designer has now come in a new edition with 3. party plugins, so now I can enjoy both allday appointments and tasks :D

[Mike Temporale]

I've downloaded it, just haven't had a chance to play with the new version yet. :(

[cayennep]

I'm using the trial of Homescreen designer, which is great BUT

not clear on how it works. It comes on when I turn my phone on, but then goes to the default (ugly) T-Mobile screens. I have to add each thing back in.

I'd be happy to buy this, but no indication this will work correctly if I do.

Just in case anybody here knows, as Ruttensoft have no way to contact them that I can see..

thx!

[Mike Temporale]

I would try to reach them from their website: http://www.ruttensoft.com ;)

When you restart your device and the theme doesn't load, just go into the home screen settings on the phone and change it to be yours instead of the default. You can do that under Start / Settings / Home Screen (on the phone.)

[cayennep]

thx but, if you look at their web site there is absolutely no way to contact them. There is a forum that is disabled, and that's it

[Jerry Raia]

They haven't updated anything in a while. I am a bit leery of them.

[Mike Temporale]

thx but, if you look at their web site there is absolutely no way to contact them. There is a forum that is disabled, and that's it

Well, did you try what I suggested in the second part of my reply?

If you check out the listing on this page (http://www.smartphone.net/smartphonethoughts/software_detail.asp?id=870) they have a support email of [email protected] But I really think you might want to try my suggestion first. :)

[cayennep]

well, yes - changing my homescreen to the one I built?
that's how this started - I've said I change it, not sure how else you think I got there?

goes back to tmobile each time I switch on the phone

[Mike Temporale]

well, yes - changing my homescreen to the one I built?
that's how this started - I've said I change it, not sure how else you think I got there?

There are a number of ways to switch the homescreen. HomeScreen designer will set it as active when you push it to the phone. If that's all you've done then, as I suggested, you should change it on the phone.

I'm sorry I wasted MY time. :roll:

[cayennep]

thx again, seems I'm at the end of this and there's no solution.

btw, suggest you don't participate if you feel you're wasting your time.

suggestions useful, if obvious, but I know not everyone thinks of that. but yes, pushed it via ActiveSync AND set it on the phone, still the default one every time I turn it on.

I give up, but a shame as this is a cool thing - just not sure how anyone can use it.

thx again