Trying to get back the New Menu in WM5 - General Topics

Hi Guys
I came about this and thought That I would post it here for all those users that are missing the New Menu function in WM5.
It was posted in a webis Mail Group by a "Mark"
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Using the WM5 New Menu With PI
One thing that earlier versions of Windows Mobile had that is missing from WM5 is a "New Menu" on the today screen. This handy little menu used to contain shortcuts to creating new items of various types, such as appointments, tasks, Word documents or notes. PI used to add its own shortcuts to this menu, and it's sadly missed by many people.
Without the menu, new items have to be created by first opening the programme in question, and then selecting "new" from within it.
There are two workarounds available. The first is to use the shortcuts contained in the "Informant Utils" folder that PI puts into Programs in the start menu. This works well, but can take several taps, and PI will load fully each time you use one, before the relevant new item dialogue box appears. Obviously the folder only contains shortcuts relevant to PI too, so it's no help as a one-stop-shop for creating new items of all types.
The second method is to use a handy, and free, third party utility called the WM5 New Menu, available from http://www.saman-cz.com/ppc/index.html?nmnovrw.html. Basically you get the old New Menu back, though in a much more configurable version.
Having installed the utility, and without any further configuration, you'll have a menu available which will contain shortcuts to a standard list of new document types, including appointments, tasks and contacts. However, assuming you have PI set as the default PIM, these items will behave in the same way as the shortcuts in Informant Utils do - they'll fully open PI at the same time as opening the new item dialogue, which you may not want.
A bit of additional configuration can overcome the issue. Firstly, download and instal "NewMenuItems_English.ARM.cab" from http://download.pocketinformant.com/6/CAB/NewMenuItems_English.ARM.cab. This will instal the old WM2003 shortcuts, though you won't see any change to anything just yet.
Now go into settings for the WM5 New Menu, and on the second tab add a new item, selecting "New items sub menu" as the type (remember to name it - I used "New..". Confirm that, then double tap on "New.." in the list to see its contents. Uncheck the ones you don't want, and then tap back. You can now uncheck the items that are duplicates of those in your new sub-menu.
It may seem subtle, but the shortcuts in the New Items submenu WON'T launch PI when you select them, which makes them much more elegant.
It's a shame these old style shortcuts have to be in a sub-menu and can't be included in the main menu, and/or that you can't put other items in the sub-menu with them, but nothing's perfect!
The utility is way more than a re-instatement of the old New Menu BTW - you can have up to six levels of cascade to it, can open all kinds of files and shortcuts, and best of all you can add shortcuts to dial out or send an SMS to specific contacts.
Hope that's OK.
Mark

Related

How do I change the default email app

I have installed agenda one on my TC and I want to use this as my default email app in the cube and elsewhere. The function within agenda one to set it as default doesnt seem to have the desired effect.
Is there a registry setting I can change or something please?
stuartforrest said:
I have installed agenda one on my TC and I want to use this as my default email app in the cube and elsewhere. The function within agenda one to set it as default doesnt seem to have the desired effect.
Is there a registry setting I can change or something please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hum. Agenda One isn't for the mail but for the Calendar and the Tasks. Try Flexmail . WebIS have just released the version 2008. I've tested it on my Polaris. It is excellent.
Hope it help.
Doh! I meant my calendar and task not email. Agenda One is a great calendar and task app for ppc and smartphone. In fact it makes the calendar finger tip friendly which the normal calendar isnt.
Does anyone know who to replace the links to make it be the default app when I click the links in the cube etc.
Is Flexmail better than the standard app. I have never thought there was that much wrong with that. Maybe I am missing something.
stuartforrest said:
Doh! I meant my calendar and task not email. Agenda One is a great calendar and task app for ppc and smartphone. In fact it makes the calendar finger tip friendly which the normal calendar isnt.
Does anyone know who to replace the links to make it be the default app when I click the links in the cube etc.
Is Flexmail better than the standard app. I have never thought there was that much wrong with that. Maybe I am missing something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.. I saw that some people develop some "Touch customization" programs (do a search into the forum). I've tried one but can't install it (application not digitally signed. This even if I've unlock the option with Schaps Advanced config program).
Finally I've take my prefered registry editor (Resco registry) and do the modification by myself.
It is quite simple but, as usual, INSURE to do a full backup of your PPC before making any changes into the registry.
Here is the (manual) procedure to replace the calendar link with Agenda One (this action list assume that Agenda One is installed into the main memory of your Polaris):
Run you favorite registry editor
Open "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
Open "Software"
Open "HTC"
Open "Biotouch"
Open "APLauncher"
Open "App5"
Click on the key "Path"
Replace the Value Data by \Program Files\Agenda One\Agenda One.exe
Click on "Finish" to save the data
Restart your Polaris (reset)
Of course, if you have installed Agenda One on your SD-Card, you'll have to modify the path by adding the "Storage Card" path before \Program Files\... at the point 9 into the action list. (result will be \Storage Card\Program Files\Agenda One\Agenda One.exe)
I've prepared the .reg file (if you don't want to use the registry editor).
Always assuming that the application is installed into the main memory of the PPC.
Click here to download it. Simply copy the file into your PPC and run it. The system will ask you to confirm the import into the registry. Simply click "OK". Restart your Polaris to validate the change.
Here is the list of registry keys to change the other shortcuts into the Launcher
Point 7 into the action list
App0 = Email
App1 = Internet Explorer
App2 = Comm Manager
App3 = SMS/MMS
App4 = Tasks
Now to answer your question about Flexmail and even if I haven't tested a lot of mail applications, it is definitively a better solution than the built in Pocket Outlook ! Especially in the way that you can configure it.
Another mail solution is Profimail who is also really good.
Hope it help.
Most PIM apps give you the option, either on install or later on to make the app the default for PIM. Why would you need to need to perform any type of reg hacks for this?
JNGold said:
Most PIM apps give you the option, either on install or later on to make the app the default for PIM. Why would you need to need to perform any type of reg hacks for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
F.y.i, the default app option for PIM doesn't apply to the Biotouch AppLauncher. Then a manual modification should be done.
Thank you so much for the comprehensive description. I will do it now.
The app does have things to set it as default (as I said earlier) but although it has worked on other devices it doesnt work for the Touch Cruise cube interface. I will do it manually and email the developer who are very responsive to suggestions. Agenda One is worth the effort as the basic diary is c**p. I have no idea why MS are so incompetent at making software for their operating system.
Look at the Iphone Safari browser, not bad for a first attempt and miles better than any windows version, then again look at the diary on an iphone, that is also c**p.
stuartforrest said:
Thank you so much for the comprehensive description. I will do it now.
The app does have things to set it as default (as I said earlier) but although it has worked on other devices it doesnt work for the Touch Cruise cube interface. I will do it manually and email the developer who are very responsive to suggestions. Agenda One is worth the effort as the basic diary is c**p. I have no idea why MS are so incompetent at making software for their operating system.
Look at the Iphone Safari browser, not bad for a first attempt and miles better than any windows version, then again look at the diary on an iphone, that is also c**p.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with your opinion about the quality/functionality of the default MS applications. But as for the PC Windows, MS is only providing "basic" applications and let the user choose (buy) the application that better feet their need.
Yes I am not bashing that approach and it works for me. I am all done now Agenda One is my default calendar app in everything I click. Thanks for the help.
stuartforrest said:
Yes I am not bashing that approach and it works for me. I am all done now Agenda One is my default calendar app in everything I click. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome !
stuartforrest said:
Yes I am not bashing that approach and it works for me. I am all done now Agenda One is my default calendar app in everything I click. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stuart,
I'm glad you sorted this out. I also use Agenda One. I have 2 requests if you have the time.
1) DeveloperOne (the author's of Agenda One) list as a known issue the fact that on some devices setting the Agenda One setting to make it the default calendar/contact app doesn't always work. I have filed a support issue but I hope the more people that do this might raise it in the priority list so it would be helpful if you filed an issue too. Yoy say "Agenda One is my default calendar app in everything I click". Is this true of the soft key at the bottom of the today screen? I have Agenda One set so that the startup view when it is launched is set to "Last View". If I hit the right soft key then I launch into Agenda One (AO) contacts view but if I exit it and then hit the left soft key it launches AO OK but it still starts it in contacts view and won't force it into calendar view. I think this is a bug (or feature deficiency). Do you see the same behaviour?
2) I think I have found a bug with AO and the Touch cube. (WARNING: If you want to try and reproduce this then be prepared to need to soft reset your device.) To reproduce then just bring up the touch cube and go to the contacts side of the cube. Hit the button at the bottom to take you to the contacts app and Agenda One should start. If you then try to re-launch the cube again then it comes up with all the 9 quick entries empty and my device got pretty flaky thereafter until I soft reset. Even if I exited AO after invoking it from the cube, went back to the Today screen, and then tried launching the cube again from the Today screen it still came up with blank entries for the 9 quick contacts. I think AO somehow messes something up if it is invoked via that button on the cube and most of the damage it does seems to be to the cube itself.
- Julian
APLauncher key does not exist?...
Hi,
I want to change my default email application, however, when I went to the registry keys mentioned in the previous posts, I couldn't find the "ApLauncher" key under "BioTouch". I have an HTC Touch Viva (T2223), which doesn't have the cube TouchFlo, just the 2D version. Do you know if it is possible to edit the registry and change the default programs in that version of TouchFLO? I am not really worried about other default functions, just I want the TouchFLO mail icon to open my email client and NOT the Windows Mobile default.

Override Start Menu limit

Hi -- Is there any way to keep Windows Mobile from automatically deleting items from \Windows\Start Menu\ when I put more than seven shortcuts in there? PointUI will display the extra items -- even if the standard Windows Start Menu won't! -- and it's irritating that Windows keeps on automatically deleting them. There must be a way to prevent this -- either by increasing the number of shortcuts permitted in the Start Menu, or by keeping Windows Mobile from deleting my extra items to enforce its limit.
Ideas?
Thanks!
Alan

Htc touch diamond - 'contacts' - link broken

I have a TC Touch Diamond with ROM 1.38.841.5WWE.
I have recently dowloaded the following apps:
Start Menu Certificates;
GadgetFreak Block icon
Shakassicone demarrer
Holy Clock
Tsowen taskbar (v.5)
I also downloaded a program to enable differing wallpapers to change on the mainscreen, but I have since deleted. When I loaded this program (forgot the name) I deleted seven files from 'my pictures' that had a silouette of a person on them. These files came with the standard ROm and I can not remember the names of the flders. I deleted them because they interchanged with my other wallpaper on my phone.
Now, when I go to 'contacts', 'all people', I get a list of all contacts that are downloaded on to my phone. However, when I click and open any contact, I get a blank screen with 'summary' and 'notes tabs at the bottom of the page.
If I send an email or a SMS, when I click on 'to' the conatcts relevant details; ie phone number or email address come up on the sreen.
It would appear the data file is on te phone, but the link between it and the individual contact is missing.
I am thinking of doind a hard reset, but thought there may be a fix.
I have looked through the forum and the wiki but can't find a similar problem.
Many thanks for your assistance.
rcmcer
Found the error
I did a soft reset of the phone and then placed on program by program. I found the problem arose from the Tsowen taskbar (v.5) file. Whilst the program itself performed without issue, each time I loaded it I lost the link to individual contacts from the 'all contacts' page.
rcmcer

How do I delete completed tasks?

In my HTC TD's "Tasks" application I have tons of completed tasks making the applictaion almost useless. How can I delete/purge these?
I have looked trough all the menu's I could find, and searched this board and googled different search-terms, but I cannot find the howto.
I'm sure it's quite easy once you know how?
There is an option to filter completed tasks. Press the right softkey and scroll down. The option is there.
I just tab and hold in the normal task app
it's in the contex menu
or I mark a task and choose delete from the menu
of cause maybe you're not talking about the normal
std task app
asbestos said:
There is an option to filter completed tasks. Press the right softkey and scroll down. The option is there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I do not want old tasks filling my memory. I want them deleted from my phone.
Rudegar said:
I just tab and hold in the normal task app
it's in the contex menu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - that works, but with 2-300 completed tasks I'd like to find a way to delete all the completed tasks (and appointments in my calendar) in one go. I seem to recall a "purge" function somewhere - but perhaps I'm confusing it with my old Treo 650?
I had this problem a while ago, I think it had something to do with Activesync changing the way it worked, I had an old Dell Axim and used the task function, but I'm fairly sure it there was an option not to resync the completed task back to the device once 'Completed', so if I created a task it stayed active on both my PC and PDA, then if I checked it as 'Completed' on my pda (or PC) it removed it from my pda and it just sat hidden in Outlook...
...then I upgraded to an XDA Orbit and also updated Activesync, once they had all sync'd I found the tasks application on the XDA to be slow to the level of being useless, I found it now had all my tasks active and completed, I think it was in the region of 900 tasks!
Simple solution was to filter them in Outlook (PC) and just delete them, solved that problem.

[Q] Lost Starred Contacts App

I just rooted my phone and installed Bionix OS-- overall an amazing improvement. The only fly in the ointment is that I used to have on my homescreen a handy little app that was titled "Starred" -- it was a contacts list that only included my starred contacts. Since I have accumulated a lot of contacts, it was very handy to be able to just search through my primary (starred) contacts. After upgrading my phone, I cannot find this little app. I think I have looked everywhere. A little weirder -- I had done a backup of my apps with Titanium Backup before installing Bionix, but this one doesn't seem to be there (in my uninstalled apps) either (unless, of course, it's called something I don't recognize). Any idea how/where I can find/restore this handy little app?
Never mind. One of the many nice people over at the Team Whiskey forum told me the simple, seemingly somewhat obvious answer -- what I was looking for is a "folder" not an "app". All I had to do is press on the home page until the "Add to home screen" window opened, select "folders", then select "Starred Contacts" (scrolling to the bottom of the list). Voila'!

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