Microsoft Theme Generator Version 2.0 Sneak Peek

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://www.pocketpcmagic.com/themegenv2/">http://www.pocketpcmagic.com/themegenv2/</a><br /><br />This coming Monday, Microsoft is going to release a new Theme Generator. It's a freebie app, and doesn't seem to offer the fancy features of the commercial apps, but it looks like they added a few key enhancements to the builder to make it easier to use. When it's live, we'll let you know! In the meantime, our pal pt put together a sneak peek. I like saying "sneak peek" because it sounds more naughty than "preview". :lol: <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcmagic.com/themegenv2/Image5a.gif" /><br /><br />"Theme Generator Version v2.0 will be available Monday 10-21 as a free download and features the following: <br /><br />New for the desktop application:<br /><br />• Desktop Shell Extension.<br />• Access to Pocket PC themes (.tsk files) directly from the desktop.<br />• Imaging features: Negative, Grey Scale, Flip, Mirror, Darkness / Lightness, Transparency and crop tools now built in.<br />• Advanced image quality control (BMP and JPEG settings).<br /><br />New for the Pocket PC:<br />• Today screen updates at user-defined time intervals, called "Theme Switcher"."

[sesummers]

I hope they fix the bug where the form is not resizeable, but the contents scale according to the "Dots per inch" setting (see "Large fonts" in the advanced features of the display settings) so that the stupid thing doesn't fit in its own window on my computer or any other computer in Large Font mode.

(I run 1280x1024 on 17" LCDs (so I can't drop the DPI back without it looking ugly), but my 41 year old eyes, warn out from 10+hour per day monitor staring over the last 2 decades, really need the larger text created by Large Font mode. In fact, I suspect LOTS of you would like this better if it weren't for stupid programs like this one that don't handle it right.

[mscdex]

You have:
• Access to Pocket PC themes (.tsk files) directly from the desktop.
listed twice. :wink:

[dcharles18]

Will it work with older versions of Windows?? (98, Me, etc . . .)

[Jason Dunn]

You have:
• Access to Pocket PC themes (.tsk files) directly from the desktop.
listed twice. :wink:

Oops - that's what I get for copying info from that pt fella'. :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

Will it work with older versions of Windows?? (98, Me, etc . . .)

Highly doubtful - if memory serves, it was built using some new development tools that are only compatible with 2K/XP. I'm not a developer, so I don't understand it, but that's what I was told. Anyway, XP rocks. :D

[ryanmjones]

I don't know what I am missing, but I can't get the theme generator to work on my desktop running XP.

What is the .msi extension?

Any hints?

[Steven Cedrone]

What is the .msi extension?

.msi = Microsoft Intsaller Package...

Steve

[Woodster]

Ok ... it's Monday.

Any ideas where I can get the new theme generator (v2.0) from MS? I looked on PocketPC.com

[Jason Dunn]

Ok ... it's Monday.

Any ideas where I can get the new theme generator (v2.0) from MS? I looked on PocketPC.com

Check the front page. :wink:

[smittyofdhs]

well I download and installed V2 and here's my comments about it:

It does have a few more features to manipulate the today screen image and it does have the option to install a PPC today screen switcher but....

the quality of the images is still downgraded and look horrible on PPC devices that can handle 65k colors. This is probably done so that it works fine with devices only able to display 4096 colors.

the today screen switcher is a today plugin that requires it to be enabled to work. Which means you have to give up precious today screen real estate to have a scwitcher enabled. Most 3rd party switchers do not require this.

I still prefer BVRP's PocketThemeManager or any of the other 3rd party products to V2 from MS.