WisBar Advance Desktop Released

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/wad/index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/wad/index.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"WisBar Advance Desktop is a WisBar Advance 2.x plugin that replaces your existing Today screen. Using WisBar Advance Desktop, you can create shortcuts, system meters, floating windows and virtual pages to extend the functionality of your Pocket PC. WisBar Advance Desktop also supports most existing Today plugins. You can arrange them on multiple pages in order to maximize their usefulness (the plugin must support user-defined heights)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051029-WAD.jpg" /><br /><br />Lakeridge Software has just released WisBar Advance Desktop -- a WisBar Advance 2.x plugin which allows you to do just about anything to transform that boring old Today screen into something totally different. It supports Pocket PCs running Pocket PC 2002 to Windows Mobile 5.0, and is available now for $6.95. Visit <a href="http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/wad/index.html">Lakeridge Software</a> for a list of features and screenshots.

[Menneisyys]

At last! Cool! :)

[Raphael Salgado]

It's interesting, considering that Wisbar Advance Desktop is compatible with Windows Mobile 5.0, but it's a plug-in that requires Wisbar Advance, which its latest public version, 2.4.0.1, is says its not yet compatible with Windows Mobile 5.0... Chris McKay, a great guy and developer, has beta 2.4.1.11 in his public forum (http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2866), and that is to support Windows Mobile 5.0.

[Ce]

App looks beautiful...installed demo's of both Advance as Desktop and after half an hour of playing around I still wasn't able to get something decent on my screen. The demo doesn't contain much to play with...I had no graphic files for my meters etc. I guess that's because the app has just been released. so let's give them some time to make it more userfriendly for NOT powerusers :wink:

[Darius Wey]

App looks beautiful...installed demo's of both Advance as Desktop and after half an hour of playing around I still wasn't able to get something decent on my screen. The demo doesn't contain much to play with...I had no graphic files for my meters etc.

You should find most of the eye candy in the forums:

http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=14

There are a lot of skinners who have produced a collection of graphic files for use with WAD.

I guess that's because the app has just been released. so let's give them some time to make it more userfriendly for NOT powerusers :wink:

I think WAD was designed for the power-user in mind. If you look at the interface and the settings, you'll notice that it's not your standard cup of tea. Besides, most Joe Users aren't driven with the urge to tweak their Today screen, which is clearly the concept behind WAD. :)

[bigray327]

This is absolutely indispensable software that has already revolutionized the way we use our PocketPCs. A must have!

[huangzhinong]

Are you sure it is designed for power user? Power user always find that the PPC today is the most elegant interface in both POS and PPC.

I just didn't see why this kind of software shows up. There are more than 2 windows style launcher in POS too. Just make the simple interface ugly.

[jpjehu]

I've been trying to get either program to work smoothly for about an hour. I found a few very frustrating issues that maybe someone could help me with:
There are no clear instructions on how to install skins on the lakeridge web-site.
The desktop keeps shutting down - saying "invalid regis code"
I have no idea how to install themes for the desktop program
etc

Overall it seems like a good idea, but if I can't get it to run there's no reason to purchase/waste any more time.
Any Advice?

[Patrick Y.]

I've been trying to get either program to work smoothly for about an hour. I found a few very frustrating issues that maybe someone could help me with:
There are no clear instructions on how to install skins on the lakeridge web-site.
The desktop keeps shutting down - saying "invalid regis code"
I have no idea how to install themes for the desktop program
etc

Overall it seems like a good idea, but if I can't get it to run there's no reason to purchase/waste any more time.
Any Advice?


Yes, it is hard to configure at first, but it will be amazing once you figure out how the use the program. A must-have!!

[jpjehu]

TO DARIUS WEY:

What skin is the one you posted? How do you install skins and desktops? I really like the look of what you created/posted and want to make this program work. Please help.

[Patrick Y.]

http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2918

Also, PLEASE READ the Readme file before complaining about the software.

ALL the instructions are usually included with the skin.

[Darius Wey]

TO DARIUS WEY:

What skin is the one you posted? How do you install skins and desktops? I really like the look of what you created/posted and want to make this program work. Please help.

I pulled a screenshot from one of the WAD skin threads at the Lakeridge forums. Here's a link to the skin release: http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2918

There is also a readme file which should give you instructions on how to install it.

Edit: Er, never mind. I didn't see Patrick's post. :bangin:

[jpjehu]

Call me crazy - they've done a great job of completely hiding the 'read-me' - it's almost as if they didn't really think that someone would need help knowing how to run the program - WHERE IS THE READ-FILE FOUND?

[jpjehu]

Nevermind - these two programs have been probably the biggest frustration in my six years of ppc use - simply because they're not designed either intuitively or with well-specified instructions. Final Decision - Delete!

[Patrick Y.]

No offense, but how can you have less patience than a kid like me? The readme file is right in the file with the skin!! Believe me, it's not that hard to learn how to use the program. Also, I guarantee that it's worth it.

[lapchinj]

Darius this is a wonderfull post :ladysman: . For me this is the best thing that happened to Wisbar since Lakeridge. Early present :bday:

I didn't see it mentioned with some of the problems people are having but Wisbar Advanced must be installed. Only the cab files are available right now one for each version of the OS so you have to take the correct one. Once installed everything is menu driven.

Congratulations Lakeridge :beer:

Jeff-

[ombu]

Are you sure it is designed for power user? Power user always find that the PPC today is the most elegant interface in both POS and PPC.

I just didn't see why this kind of software shows up. There are more than 2 windows style launcher in POS too. Just make the simple interface ugly.

:( I feel sooooooooooooooo bad ...

I used to think about me as unique, original, 'one of a kind', etc. and you just show up with those stolen words (from me of course), come on, try it again and say you don't care about wasted RAM and slowed performance and heavy-bloated screens and ... just bring my pride back. :mrgreen:

[juni]

This is something I'm definately going to look into when I have the time (have to finish up a suite, post a specialized SBSH version of SWDeluxe for the PocketBreeze5 release, etc. etc.)

I think with this program you have to spend some time on it and then the results can be really rewarding. I've glanced at the screenshots and they look impressive. Besides, Chris from Lakeridgesoftware is on of those responsive and active developeders which always is a plus for any software. :)

[lapchinj]

...I think with this program you have to spend some time on it and then the results can be really rewarding. I've glanced at the screenshots and they look impressive. Besides, Chris from Lakeridgesoftware is on of those responsive and active developeders which always is a plus for any software. :)
When you mention 'some time' I guess you mean fooling around trying to set up the desktop in order to get the most out of it and not the installation itself. Installation took me no more than 15 minutes. There has always been a lack of documentation even with Wisbar Advance. Correcting this issue should make this product a no brainer to install and set up (and skin if your into that) - this is the only con I've had since Lakeridge has it. It's a shame that people won't get a chance to really evaluate the product just because of the lack of documentation. I've even gotten more install info about wisbar from your site than from Lakeridge :? .

At the moment I have I'm playing around with Resco's, SPB Diary and Pocketbreeze's Today plugins. All I'm really looking for now is just a list of my current appointments and tasks. Along with the couple of shortcuts I set up at the bottom of the screen I can now do anything I want or need right from the desktop. No menus to drop down or scroll through. The shortcuts are singe-click so these become just like the Quick Launch bar in XP - really neat. This is definately cool.

As far as slowing down the system response time goes I haven't seen that. But anything that is run from the desktop is really very snappy.

Jeff-

[callmemoe]

The full manual is on it's way soon as posted by the developer several times in the Lakeridge forums. And the forums themselves are very descriptive and helpful on how to take full advantage of the software, but you actually have to read the posts.

There is really nothing tricky about installing the software. It is a standard cab file which, unless you use cabinstl, will put WAD into the default programs directory. Assuming that you have Wisbar Advance 2 installed which is required to run the program, go into Wisbar Advance 2's settings and select Plug-ins from the drop down menu. Check the box next to Desktop. This will make WA2 run WAD when WA2 is started.

Text files provided with some skins go in the Themes folder which is created upon installation of WAD. The images for the skin can go anywhere that you want them to as long as the skin file points to them. You can use these pre-made themes but you don't have to. You can "design" everything yourself as I did.

Tap and hold on the screen and you will get a menu of items that are available to add to the desktop. For example, tap and hold then select New then Shortcut. Use the browse button to locate the program you want a shortcut to. Leave Use Default Icon checked to use the system icon for the program. "Use Small Icon" will alter the size of the system icon to be smaller. Or uncheck Use Default Icon and use the browse button to select and image that you have loaded onto to your device in the location that you saved it to (mine are on my SD card). Use Text Settings to change the shortcut name, it's font and size with other text effects like bold or shadow. Tap the green checkmark at the bottom and you now have a shortcut to a program. Drag it around on the screen until you put it where you want it and you are done. Repeat for additional items.

ALL of this can be found in the Lakeridge forums. No need to be hateful about a program that you tried for 20 minutes. If you are not into customizing or having the freedom to put just about anything on your today screen you want, in a look that you want and a location that you want or have more than one today screen available at your discretion, then you probably don't need this software. For those of us who love this type of thing, it is an excellent piece of software with a very responsive developer.

[lapchinj]

The full manual is on it's way soon as posted by the developer several times in the Lakeridge forums. And the forums themselves are very descriptive and helpful on how to take full advantage of the software, but you actually have to read the posts...

ALL of this can be found in the Lakeridge forums. No need to be hateful about a program that you tried for 20 minutes...

For those of us who love this type of thing, it is an excellent piece of software with a very responsive developer.
This post was quite helpful. I've been using Wisbar for years and the addition of the Desktop is really great. I have everything I need set up on the desktop so all my daily needs are only a click away. And since the shortcuts are a click once to open it replicates the Windows quick launch bar.

With all that said I don't think that a new user should have to forums or other websites to find out how to install and or setup an application. Especially when first impressions are so important. I could sort of forgive a developer of a brand new application for not shipping some documentation with a their app (for a few days) but today the only hard part of of documenting an app is the willingness of sitting down and writing it. (My last job even had as part of our code reviews a specification on the amount and qulity of code comments.)

Lakeridge has had Wisbar for some time now and still doesn't have any docs. That's a shame since it's a wonderful and quite usefull utility and people will not realize that since for the first 20 minutes the user has only had issues.

Besides today's developers have so much help with documentation there shouldn't be any excuse not to have some kind of documentation to get the user up and running. It's like selling cloths in a store with no doors. If he/she/they comment the code (which I hope they do) which they write, a documentation utility can output finished documentation at the same time the app is compiled or at least at the time of a nightly build when code is checked back into a sourcecode repository. The output might not be the quality of Doc2Help but at the moment the complaint is that there isn't anything at all. MS's Visual Studio has self documentation utility built into their IDE and then there's the open source of Ndoc utility and of course the infamous javadoc if anyone does Java here. All you need is a Readme file to get through the install (which can be done by the installer utility).

What's worse is that if Lakeridge had even included the few paragraphs you entered in your post we probably wouldn't have seen any complaints here at all :roll: :?

Anyway the utility is really great and with callmemoe's documentation people should give it another try.

Jeff-

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Not exactly easy to follow but all current options and version history:

http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2688

[abozahra]

hey is it compatible with all pocket pc thankx anyway

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Theoretically, yes. Practically, you better have a pretty fast machine.

[Darius Wey]

Well, don't go installing it on a Pocket PC 2000 device. You might have a few problems. :lol:

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Thought i'd let everyone know, the offical documentation for WAD has been released:

http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/downloads/wad.doc