Something Cool About Pocket PC 2003 - Better Theme Support

[Ed Hansberry]

Pocket PC 2002 introduced us to Themes and 2003 goes a few steps better. I am currently using the green <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14663">Windows Mobile 2003 Theme</a>. Notice how the tap-and-hold circle has changed to green as well.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030710-tapandhold.gif" /><br /><br />2003 also allows for different colored text in the Start menu. 2002 was limited to black.

[Zensbikeshop]

Pocket PC 2002 introduced us to Themes and 2003 goes a few steps better. I am currently using the green Windows Mobile 2003 Theme (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14663). Notice how the tap-and-hold circle has changed to green as well.

2003 also allows for different colored text in the Start menu. 2002 was limited to black.

I noticed this last night and was going to post a message about it.

It's a small tweak but a nice one - I never really liked the red.

[medic119]

I noticed it last week when I changed to the Spiral default theme that came on my 2215. Did you also notice it changes the backgrounds of Excel, Word, Inbox, etc?

[KAMware]

I have been working on getting my ThemeMaker programs up to speed on the 2003 theme changes. There are 9 additional entries to the color configuration file in the theme. Since there is no place I know of to find out what they all are for I have to change each one and try the theme to find out what changed. So far, with the one you mentioned, I know of 3.

The drop down menu text, the information dialog text and the one you mentioned althought I don't know which it is. I will have to do the change and try menthod on it. I think I have the text for the caution dialog also but I cannot figure out how to force a caution dialog to come up.

If anyone else finds a color change I would appreciate it if you let me know about it. For each one that finds a new one I will give you a free registration to ThemeMakerPro Plus.

:D

[wocket]

It would be really nice if you could switch off the tap and hold sprial spinning thing. Its a bit of a pain at times.

[griffter]

2003 also allows for different colored text in the Start menu. 2002 was limited to black.

Not (always) on the E740!

[gorkon280]

I LOVE this theme. It's nice and understated and looks good with the white text. Microsoft's and McDeb themes are usually my favorites. There are ALOT of bad themes out there and the pros usually do a great job. Some folks like to put images every where. I like subtle backgrounds like those Mobility themes have...the fading stripes are nice and understated and makes the text actually easier to read. If someone makes a theme and loads pictures on those I would probably not get that theme! :) Faded abstract backgrounds or backgrounds that mimic materials are usually the best for when text is being overlaid. Notice in the Pocket Word and Excel that this is just in the file selection part of the app. When your editing it's a white background.

[Ed Hansberry]

If anyone else finds a color change I would appreciate it if you let me know about it.
The background is new. You see this in file menus, contacts, inbox, etc. It also seems the Start Button is independantly controlled. In the orange theme, the contrast is higher than it is in the green one.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030710-themecolors.gif

Also, check out your Today page. Those black lines separating the plugins are not black anymore, but correspond to the theme.

[medic119]

The background is new. You see this in file menus, contacts, inbox, etc.

Thats exactly what I was talking about above. Kinda a nice subtle touch.

[dean_shan]

Nice, somthing for me to look forward too when I upgrade.

[mv]

Not bad, but i was hoping full screen themes. Take a look at pocket facelift, the screen looks so bigger when using full screen themes... specially when removing all separators.

[gorkon280]

Also, check out your Today page. Those black lines separating the plugins are not black anymore, but correspond to the theme.

It's been this way for a while Ed. Even on 2002. You have been able to change these with the theme editor and they can be whatever color you want. I, personally would like to make them transparent sometimes. Some themes would look better without them.

[SassKwatch]

2003 also allows for different colored text in the Start menu. 2002 was limited to black.

A bit off topic, but mention of the Start menu leads me to ask if it is now a 'cascading' menu......or do we still need to rely on 3rd party solutions?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Just checked... no cascading... I just placed a folder in the start menu (I'm assuming this is how you'd check?) and the behavior is the same as PPC2k2. It just opens up the folder in a new window.

[Gremmie]

Ed - how long did it take you to get the tap-and-hold circle to appear while trying to hit Print Screen on the keyboard? :lol:

[Ed Hansberry]

Ed - how long did it take you to get the tap-and-hold circle to appear while trying to hit Print Screen on the keyboard? :lol:

Not long. I used Pocket Artist (http://www.conduits.com/products/artist/) to do the capture. It allows for time delays, so I just set it for 5 seconds. I had a better chance of getting some dots versus nothing. I did get lucky and get one with lots of dots.

[Busdriver]

What the heck is "tap-and-hold"?? 8O

I think I need to upgrade. :worried:

[Ed Hansberry]

What the heck is "tap-and-hold"?? 8O

I think I need to upgrade. :worried:
All Pocket PCs have tap and hold, all the way back to 2000 devices. Just tap-and-hold on some bit of data on the screen and a right-click style menu pops up.

[Busdriver]

I knew that. :oops: I think I meant to say the tap-and-hold circle?

[Ed Hansberry]

I knew that. :oops: I think I meant to say the tap-and-hold circle?
Yeah, that is new for 2002 devices. 2003 just lets you change the color via themes. On 2002, it is red, red, or red, your choice. :lol:

[SassKwatch]

Just checked... no cascading... I just placed a folder in the start menu (I'm assuming this is how you'd check?) and the behavior is the same as PPC2k2. It just opens up the folder in a new window.
Thanks for testing it!

[Iznot Gold]

Just had a reality check...I'm reading this thread and starting to think that these were some nice touches...then it dawns on me...we're talking about getting excited about the colour of little dots...is it just me or might this appear to an 'outsider' as just a bit...well...sad...or even geeky. Please tell me I'm not becoming a geek! :?

[Kati Compton]

Geek. Geek. Geek. ;)

Welcome to the club...

[ctmagnus]

Also, check out your Today page. Those black lines separating the plugins are not black anymore, but correspond to the theme.

Wasn't that the case with PPC2002? At least with the theme generator, you can specify different colours for the lines. Colour 1 on the Today Text page corresponds to the line colour. Any themes on my 3670 the moment all have black lines.

[Kati Compton]

Wasn't that the case with PPC2002? At least with the theme generator, you can specify different colours for the lines. Colour 1 on the Today Text page corresponds to the line colour. Any themes on my 3670 the moment all have black lines.
Yes, I'm pretty sure.

[dean_shan]

Please tell me I'm not becoming a geek! :?
I think the fact the you are on PPC Thoughts is a big clue. When my friends see me on it they say I'm on my "Nerdery". It's nothing toe ashamed of. Embrace the inner-geek.

[Jerry Raia]

There are geeks in here??