Database Info

[Discuss] JustMe - 4 flavors (formelly Just2Stuffed) [Update 06/23/08]

UPDATE 06/23/08
I'm having some issues with a few things. As usual, time is amongst them. In any case, the LZX version is just too slow for my taste... but maybe it's because I've been using a small pagepool with it.
In any case, attached is a teaser. It's the today screen that I've been waiting for.
As far as bugs go:
LZX version: Will not display the proper XIP version. I had a problem with the LZX compression and had to use one of Aserg's LZX ROMs as a skeleton on to which to graft the ROM. This worked but introducted this issue. I'm assuming that it's an issue with the cecompr.dll used and that Aserg had hex edited the XIP number unto the imgfs.bin.
All the "full versions" That today screen is not Landscape compatible so you will not see it properly when in landscape mode and in the today screen. Also, the background interferes with the start menu's functionality. I'm working to fix that now, though. Although, it's time for sleep...
Hey guys. Just messing around with a possible full ROM (as supposed to my usual stripped ROMs.) For now, it's based on the Diamond ROM.
It has the following so far:
Arcsoft 4 (I'm having some problems with 5... my MMS stopped working, even though they work with Just2Clean.)
Custom looking HTC Home 2.1 with proxy patch for those who use it on Tmobile's network - This is changing into something else... You'll see it when the author posts it.
Big start menu icons
Big X-Button Icons
black calculator - (My ROM users know I don't ever include calculators. lol)
PocketXpdf
TMPCP
Office 6.1 + OneNote
PHM RegEdit
Advanced Config
Audio Manager
Battery Status - This will be PART of the today screen...)
Esmertec Jbed + OperaMini 4.1 (4.1 was not buggy, the newer Esmertec I was using with it was. This is a stable version.)
HTCAlbum
Internet Sharing
TotalCommander (newest version I believe)
VoiceNotes (something else I tend to remove... I'm not sure if I'll keep it...)
NETCF v3.5
RandomAccess
Oxios Hibernate/CloseApp
This will come in 4 flavors at first.
1. Standard JustMe
2. LZX JustMe - A little slower, but with much more space due to the LZX compression.*
3. A UPX'ed version - Adds a little more speed and storage, but not as much as LZX.
4. A Just2Clean variant with LZX compression. Basically, the 70MB free one.
I MIGHT add a 5th version, a 'la Ttran's biggy if people tell me what they want in it.
*LZX compression is giving me a strange bug that causes the wrong WinCE version to show under the about tab.

The list looks good ivan... only things i wouldn't like would be Total Commander and PHM Regedit, since i use the excellent Resco File explorer which includes both functionalities in 1 app
Btw... speed & Voice dialing would be nice to be included ??
Thanks again for your hard work!

moullas said:
The list looks good ivan... only things i wouldn't like would be Total Commander and PHM Regedit, since i use the excellent Resco File explorer which includes both functionalities in 1 app
Btw... speed & Voice dialing would be nice to be included ??
Thanks again for your hard work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speed & Voice dialing - Agreed
TotalCommander can also edit the registry, but I prefer using PHM Regedit. Resco is great, I agree, but it's not free, so I can't cook it in. I might make a version like this, though... might.

Your ROM looks very interesting may I suggest adding HTC RandomAccess to your ROM to make it handier browsing through the contacts.
Estimated time of release?

i would use this , i agree with gambit, too... icontact or something for contact browsing would be nice. other than that, it seems to meet all my necessary apps, nothing more, nothing less.

GAMBIT999 said:
Your ROM looks very interesting may I suggest adding HTC RandomAccess to your ROM to make it handier browsing through the contacts.
Estimated time of release?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I forgot to mention that was added, too. lol
EDIT: OK... the letter images that appear in the center for randomaccess are broken, so I'm gonna have to fix that, too... Thanks for reminding me, though, or I would have never caught that.
EDIT2:
Estimated time: Whenever I get to it. I'm a perfectionist, and I tend to have too many projects going on at once... plus I rarely have time to mess around with things... and I'm very disorganized... sooooo.... soon. lol
I have a working version that I may be able to fix by tonight... So sooner than I even thought maybe...
Which reminds me... I have to update my signature. Make it J2C, J2S and kitchen and maybe a bigger donate button.

ivanmmj said:
Oh I forgot to mention that was added, too. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, good to know now I can go to bed and wait for the release

Out on a limb
I know HTC Home is kind of a standard for Today Screen, and I used it for a while.....but, I'm kind of liking the functions of BS. It doesn't take as much power or space and I can configure it with a little HTML.
I started using it shortly after flashing J2C and really like the space. Plus I have more space on the SD for music, since I'm not using HHC now. Just a thought. I sent a screen shot of my modified Aurora theme. I'm running BS with rlToday for the clock, Weather panel, both integrated in BS, and "BS Home" for the bottom buttons.
I also like Network Folders cooked in (runs smoother).
Does TCPMP include plug-ins?
That's my two cents ........

wm5torage
perhaps a program that most people don't use...but it does benefit me personally, since it lets me use the phone as a removable usb drive at work...where I can't install activesync...so that i can transfer files as need be...and occasionally use portableapps, like portable firefox through the removable drive...since the work network won't allow users to install software on the computer.
wm5torage is a fairly small program, so it shouldn't take up too much room...

PIM Backup
for those that might flash every so often, but don't connect to outlook to sync, PIM Backup is a great way to backup contacts, sms', and calendar info...

pseudoproto said:
I know HTC Home is kind of a standard for Today Screen, and I used it for a while.....but, I'm kind of liking the functions of BS. It doesn't take as much power or space and I can configure it with a little HTML.
I started using it shortly after flashing J2C and really like the space. Plus I have more space on the SD for music, since I'm not using HHC now. Just a thought. I sent a screen shot of my modified Aurora theme. I'm running BS with rlToday for the clock, Weather panel, both integrated in BS, and "BS Home" for the bottom buttons.
I also like Network Folders cooked in (runs smoother).
Does TCPMP include plug-ins?
That's my two cents ........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I'd be ALL for it if you can provide me with the needed files. I've been looking for something like this, and although I'm good at making things work, I'm not good at making them look pretty. ^_^
Is the weather panel proxy compatible?
If it is, this will be great!
Network Folders?
As far as the plugins, it will. The version I have on it right now is a place holder until I can find a more decent package, though.
monkey_knight said:
perhaps a program that most people don't use...but it does benefit me personally, since it lets me use the phone as a removable usb drive at work...where I can't install activesync...so that i can transfer files as need be...and occasionally use portableapps, like portable firefox through the removable drive...since the work network won't allow users to install software on the computer.
wm5torage is a fairly small program, so it shouldn't take up too much room...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wm5torage is a good program... I might include it.
monkey_knight said:
for those that might flash every so often, but don't connect to outlook to sync, PIM Backup is a great way to backup contacts, sms', and calendar info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I back up everything through an exchange server, so normally I wouldn't use PIM backup... I might add it depending on the size of the program.

@ batterystatus = of course best APP ever...still don´t understand why people use HTC HOME
@ wm5torage great aspp for using device AS USB massstorage on my autoradio with usb-support
@pimbackup...why to include...just put pimbackup.exe on SDcard...and run manually from tim to time...
Just my 2 cents

ivanmmj said:
Actually, I'd be ALL for it if you can provide me with the needed files. I've been looking for something like this, and although I'm good at making things work, I'm not good at making them look pretty. ^_^
Is the weather panel proxy compatible?
If it is, this will be great!
Network Folders?
As far as the plugins, it will. The version I have on it right now is a place holder until I can find a more decent package, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I have are the cab files. I've been reading a lot of the post in the Prophet forum for BS themes. prscott1 has quite a few different themes up and knows this a lot better than I do.
I'm sorry I misspoke earlier, I did mean networkplugin; HTC or Schaps. They both seem to work fine. Schaps is just 5K smaller as a cab.
This is where I got most of it. I just use weather panel in place of using UL as a plugin. I really can't take credit for someone else's work. I did a little rewriting of the HTML for the bottom buttons though.
Weather Panel does have an option for proxy settings.
Just what you need....another project.
papamopps said:
@ batterystatus = of course best APP ever...still don´t understand why people use HTC HOME
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easy, and compared to what you get with a stock ROM it's the next best thing to sliced bread. Battery Status bakes, slices, and toasts the bread.

papamopps said:
@ batterystatus = of course best APP ever...still don´t understand why people use HTC HOME
@ wm5torage great aspp for using device AS USB massstorage on my autoradio with usb-support
@pimbackup...why to include...just put pimbackup.exe on SDcard...and run manually from tim to time...
Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC home is easier to setup and it's buttons are big enough for my fingers... but if you want to help me setup a working HTC clone with batterystatus that does what I need it to do and has big buttons, by all means, tell me.

ivanmmj said:
HTC home is easier to setup and it's buttons are big enough for my fingers... but if you want to help me setup a working HTC clone with batterystatus that does what I need it to do and has big buttons, by all means, tell me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the HTCHome BS theme. It's the same theme I'm running on my previous post just different lines showing. The message buttons are included and can be changed just by tap and hold on them.
I've attached the latest BS and the HTCHome theme, the HTCHopmeskin and the XML file are placed in the BS folder and the HTC Home files are placed in the \windows dir. It basically is editing the XML file to point to the progs you want to use. most of it is set for you. The on thing is the weather tab and the prog tab. I've seen a few setups with UL and as you can see I have it as an option in my setup.
Hope this helps. Keep up the excellent work.

pseudoproto said:
This is the HTCHome BS theme. It's the same theme I'm running on my previous post just different lines showing. The message buttons are included and can be changed just by tap and hold on them.
I've attached the latest BS and the HTCHome theme, the HTCHopmeskin and the XML file are placed in the BS folder and the HTC Home files are placed in the \windows dir. It basically is editing the XML file to point to the progs you want to use. most of it is set for you. The on thing is the weather tab and the prog tab. I've seen a few setups with UL and as you can see I have it as an option in my setup.
Hope this helps. Keep up the excellent work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used that theme for a while, and I really like it. Using BS for themes is a bit easier, assuming you know how to edit the .xml theme. I second using BS instead of HTCHome, more customization.

Looks, maybe I will use it when it is released Still no success with the kitchen and your j2c files
I would trash this:
Custom looking HTC Home 2.1 with proxy patch for those who use it on Tmobile's network
black calculator - (My ROM users know I don't ever include calculators. lol)
PHM RegEdit
Audio Manager
Remote Desktop (I MIGHT remove this one...)
TotalCommander newest version I believe
VoiceNotes (something else I tend to remove... I'm not sure if I'll keep it...)
RandomAccess
ooops...

ivanmmj said:
Hey guys. Just messing around with a possible full ROM (as supposed to my usual stripped ROMs.) For now, it's based on the Diamond ROM.
It has the following so far:
Arcsoft 5
Custom looking HTC Home 2.1 with proxy patch for those who use it on Tmobile's network
Big start menu icons
Big X-Button Icons
black calculator - (My ROM users know I don't ever include calculators. lol)
PocketXpdf
TMPCP
Office 6.1 + OneNote
PHM RegEdit
Advanced Config
Audio Manager
Battery Status
Esmertec Jbed + OperaMini 4.0 (4.1 is buggy to me...)
HTCAlbum
Internet Sharing
Remote Desktop (I MIGHT remove this one...)
TotalCommander newest version I believe
VoiceNotes (something else I tend to remove... I'm not sure if I'll keep it...)
NETCF v3.5
RandomAccess
That's the list so far since I'm at work and can't mess around with it. As you can see it's a semi stripped ROM. No games, but things that I use on a daily basis have been added. All this and you still get 50MB+ of storage free. This is mostly a "I use it, it goes into the ROM" kind of ROM so far, but let me know what you'd like to go into it and you think should be removed and I'll think about making those changes happen. Remember, it depends on whether I also believe it's a useful app or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like an incredible ROM! I am more of a BatteryStatus / Mortscript fan than I am of HTC Home, but I do like the touchflo scrolling. I would still enjoy trying your stuffed ROM. there are soo many great BS themes available now - some imitations of WM7, iphone, etc. I have added Ultimate launch recently (mainly for apps launching) so I have a BS/UL combo that is driving my latest themes. I'll post some screen shots when I have a chance (at work now) to see if anyone is interested.
Edit: I'm uploading a few screenshots of my latest (and colorful) BS theme that has UL, todayagenda, searchtoday and RSSNews integrated within.
first, second and third screenshots are the clock page with various rows showing.
fourth, fifth and sixth screenshots show some of my UL sides and cube in action.
I've been in a colorful mood lately.

The only thing I would require out of a BS theme would be the message indicators which I use quite heavily. I know that pappamopps uses them, so maybe he can add them to this BS theme being as nice as he is.

I'm on for this too if you remove remote desktop cuz I think it's useless! I would keep the voice notes though since it's kinda funny sometimtes to record sth with the phone...I'm exactly searching for something like this with the newest build since I have most of the apps in a folder called cabs on my wing Cuz in my opinion everyone needs different progs but this sounds like a good base to build a customized ROM on!

Manilla or SPB Shell 2.1?

I haven't found any threads directly comparing the two... I'm tired of the boring today screen and even HTC Home. Which is better on the Wizard Manilla 2D or SPB Shell 2.1? I've tried Manilla and I really like it but it takes up a lot of resources and disables some apps I've come to rely on. (Battery Status, and Smartskey) I wanted to get some opinions before shelling (he he) out the greenbacks for SPB Shell.

What a stupid question!!!
Well don't I feel like an ass... Here you guys just got Manilla working on the Wizard and I'm asking which is better. I've seen threads for Manilla for a while now and never read any of them. I wasn't really interested in Manilla until I was browsing around and saw some of the skins. I thought I'd give it a try. Since I just went in last night and downloaded it and installed it with no problem, I assumed it has been working on Wizard for a while. In my defence I did search for a comparison but found none.

i vote foe manila
Iv tryed both and Manila is wey cooler and in new to wizard, bur SPB Shell its much much usfull so its your choice

i was a big spb mobile shell user when it 2+ first hit......I must admit...I now use Noonski's rom and I enjoy the device much much more...it's somehow made for our device where as mobile shell is universal plus with all the skins and clocks being rapidly designed and made available you can have whatever flavor you like....as with mobile shell....seems lately the designs are all just versions of the same concept...where m2d is fresh and to me faster as it is cooked into the rom...I had about 43 megs left on mine after flashing and right now I'm just trying to streamline and keep about half that while piling on the goodies I usually enjoy in my phone...using a 2g sd card I'm able to run much from there....unless mobile shell upgrades to 3 I'm going to say m2d wins

wyzepro said:
i was a big spb mobile shell user when it 2+ first hit......I must admit...I now use Noonski's rom and I enjoy the device much much more...it's somehow made for our device where as mobile shell is universal plus with all the skins and clocks being rapidly designed and made available you can have whatever flavor you like....as with mobile shell....seems lately the designs are all just versions of the same concept...where m2d is fresh and to me faster as it is cooked into the rom...I had about 43 megs left on mine after flashing and right now I'm just trying to streamline and keep about half that while piling on the goodies I usually enjoy in my phone...using a 2g sd card I'm able to run much from there....unless mobile shell upgrades to 3 I'm going to say m2d wins
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had forgotten all about this question. Thanks for the answers. I'm back on the kick again and I was wondering if you still feel the same? I have tried M2D as a add on and cooked directly into the ROM. I have still yet to try SPB Mobile Shell. I may just get off the fence and do it. Worse thing could happen is I have to flash back to my HTC Home.

mr.incredible said:
I haven't found any threads directly comparing the two... I'm tired of the boring today screen and even HTC Home. Which is better on the Wizard Manilla 2D or SPB Shell 2.1? I've tried Manilla and I really like it but it takes up a lot of resources and disables some apps I've come to rely on. (Battery Status, and Smartskey) I wanted to get some opinions before shelling (he he) out the greenbacks for SPB Shell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested twice solutions, it's my opinion:
M2D:
Positive
- Very excellent look
- Very fast, reponsive
- Switch window animated
- Several weather cities
- Most smart panel
Negative
- Memory leak
- Not stable (plugin reboots unexpectly)
- Memory used (+15Mb storage and +8Mb ram) with all apps needed
- Seems doen't work with S2U2
- Get pad action when using other programs
- Task switch to front automaticaly
- Landscape problems
- cannot show multiple calendar events
- poor weather city
- Must install all HTC programs (music player, pictures, ...)
SPB shell 2.1
Positive
- Less storage and ram memory (- 5Mb ram)
- Compatible S2U2
- Skinable (look of M2D, Xperia X1, WM7)
- Stable
- Cities for weather (Valenciennes is in the list)
Negative
- Less responsive
- M2D skin very slow
- Only one city for the weather
- S2U2 weather does not work
- Cannot have the standard windows taskbar and softkeys
- Today SPB plugin different with M2D today skin window.
- Strange organization of functions...
In conclusion, there is no perfect version, I reloaded Clean Rom and re-used standard WM today screen (battery status, calendar, time, messaging...)

ed_bracam said:
Negative
- Memory leak
- Not stable (plugin reboots unexpectly)
- Memory used (+15Mb storage and +8Mb ram) with all apps needed
- Must install all HTC programs (music player, pictures, ...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Yes there is a bit of a memory leak but with tools like QuickMenu and Oxios Hibernate you can reclaim this
2) The issues with this plugin being unstable can be overlooked by the price tag
3) What taskmanager are you using ? M2D Built into wizflo weighs in at 5mb storage and 3.5 mb ram.
4) You dont need all the HTC Programs, use M2DC to disable the tabs you dont use

Great info guys. That is the kind of input I've been looking for. Thanks.

mr.incredible said:
Great info guys. That is the kind of input I've been looking for. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried SPB Mobile Shell many times i made my custom made configuration and i think it works great, i have never had problems with it. I was wondering that it worked fast enough on HTC Wizard. No problems with cities in weather. It consumes a bit more of RAM and storage and it is necessary to install it in the device memory. Another bad thing about SPB mobile shell is that after installing it on the Wizard it booted very slowly after soft reset it took about 2 minutes until the device boot up. But anyway all these apps M2D, SPB Mobile Shell, TouchFLO etc are looking great but i do not like em. I like standard WM today screen with battery status, messages, today agenda, it is the only way to see all the necessary things on the today screen!

BEtter?
M2D is free..
spb yooou have to buy....
I am a believer of the bet things in life are free...

why you use 6.5 instead of 6?

I installed 6.5 on my wizard, it is slower than 6. I am thinking about going back to 6. Is 6.5 better than 6 in some point?

It is for sure slower & with less memory
but :
It is prettier, more finger friendly, you can choose a version with CHome (I have kinda bored Manilla) & every version that I try is faster than the previous & with more memory

I am using XDA2's CHome, it's pretty good, and I'll say it's very pretty. I get used to Manilla, maybe I will try to install that one and try out for a while.

i think 6.5 is more suitable for 128M ram devices, no?

bachikho said:
i think 6.5 is more suitable for 128M ram devices, no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think so, and cpu should be around 400.

Went back to 6.1
I installed xda2 CHome and another rom that slips my mind. Both were fine, but I found them slow and I had trouble closing windows with my finder--where as 6.1 it worked fine.

ive got 6.5 and ive actually found it faster than 6 and 6.1

alex.gribbin said:
ive got 6.5 and ive actually found it faster than 6 and 6.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which distro are you using?

alex.gribbin said:
ive got 6.5 and ive actually found it faster than 6 and 6.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:-|
really?

I use CRMac beta 2 (6.5), at first boot have more 25mb ram free, after 1 day use still 21mb...It's great room but i still don't like Mac UI in this room

review?
I'm using xda2's CHome WM6.5 version 2.7(?). I flashed today. It was slow at first but im using Omapclock to overclock to 240. I've used this for a couple hours now, and with the overclock it seems a lot smoother than 6.1, especially the touch scrolling. The animations are also very smooth, which makes the device seem a lot faster than it is =]
Also, I seem to have a good amt of RAM after a couple hours of use, around 18MB. More RAM is available after a soft-reset.
I'm using a program i found here on XDA that autolocks my phone when it turns back on, so I'm finally using the native WM lock versus when i had 6.1, when i always used S2U2. S2U2 is great, but I wanted to try out the native lock. Its called Chobit SmartLock, and so far it works well. I also like the Caller ID here.
A downside though is that I dont think this version has a favorite contacts panel on the today screen, or a favorite programs panel either (like the ones you would find in M2D). Maybe I missed it?
But again, I've only been using this for a couple hours. Not much time to thoroughly evaluate it i guess. And props to xda2_haseeb!

gotvitamink said:
I'm using xda2's CHome WM6.5 version 2.7(?).
...
A downside though is that I dont think this version has a favorite contacts panel on the today screen, or a favorite programs panel either (like the ones you would find in M2D). Maybe I missed it?
...
And props to xda2_haseeb!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Favorite People Plug-in. It works for me .-

I'm running CRACING's WM6.5 version 3, its a gud rom

samxein said:
Try Favorite People Plug-in. It works for me .-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWESOME. thanks for the link!
so far I am enjoying the WM 6.5 experience =]

pls post free ram in first boot of wimo version you use

huuhung1178 said:
pls post free ram in first boot of wimo version you use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xda2's_haseeb WM6.5 v2.7 which have about 25-26 free Ram at first boot. Soon enough I will try v3.0 & I will Post the free Ram .-

i like it .. it looks good .. some how stable .. has a better arabic support (SMSs mainly)
i'd love to over clock it .. but the exclusive CHOME is forbiding it .. i cant remeber the name of the background over clocking app
any help guys? i have probs with the speed
also .. RAM issue .. my device eats up RAM .. i have to reboot it more than 5 times a day to keep it over 15MB free RAM
from My signature, i'm using XDA2 2.7 .. dwnlding 3.0 now .. hopefully will be good and will go easy on the ram

solomhamada said:
i like it .. it looks good .. some how stable .. has a better arabic support (SMSs mainly)
i'd love to over clock it .. but the exclusive CHOME is forbiding it .. i cant remeber the name of the background over clocking app
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need Mikokong's OmapclockKeep for background overclocking.-

thanks samxein fr the link .. i appreciate it
will update now .. waiting the battery to be more than 50 %
cheers!

Why I prefer 6.5
I prefer the overall UI functionality, it is lacking in a couple of areas so far (would like the calendar to show the next appt) but the finger interface is much improved over M2D/WM6.1.
Personally I find the XDA2 ROMs a bit under developed (currently trying v3.0 - gonna revert back to CR 6.5.0.0.4) and the v3 UI is a bit garish (the new titanium UI looks like an incomplete port of a VGA model).
It does tax the old OMAP850 (@195MHz) to it's limits but I like it!

My Today Screen is the best

Okay guys & gals,
Just thought I'd start a topic about our Today Screen.
I love a good launcher program (which I believe is simply what a today screen is). It took me a while to get to like WM6.5, but I do now. The disadvantage is that I still have to press my Start Menu for other apps... and for 64MB Uni's the disadvantage is only too obvious.
I hope you don't mind me quoting, but this is what started me thinking...
gewin said:
What I would like to do is set the programs screen ie the screen full of icons as the default when you start up the Universal. One less step and simpler for the end user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
phezthie said:
home screen plus is what yu need, i guess....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, oh for a simple Today Screen. I'm with you there.
Why do we have one method of accessing our apps on the Today screen, and yet another from the Start menu. (And for me a third when I want to choose a game to play).
I suppose nobody has come up with something that everyone agrees on!
Hence we have such platforms as Android, maybe.
As phezthie says, HomeScreen PlusPlus is a cool app. However, if you can't find a theme that someone has made that you like, you must be willing to write a script. Personally I love this app, but spend too much time tweaking my scripts! Ouch
Another one is ThrottleLauncher. A lovely graphic approach, but a bit heavy/slow and a few bugs. Very easy to set up, though... but perhaps more of an interest with 128MB devices and maybe a little restricted.
Anyone got a great Today Screen or Launcher they think others would like?
.

Hi Jonny
Interesting thread indeed
I used for a long time HTC Home large VGA by pj07 and I was very satified as I had all I needed on that home screen.
Now I´m using titanium but I´m agree with your comments above.
(attached)
Cheers,

I use Titanium too and its going pretty well for my needs till now.This his a good idea.

Hello thank you for starting this thread,as i am obsessed lately with this subject. I tried EVERYTHING that i could find,and so far,on my 64 MB uni,i can say only that i managed to find NOTHING in my taste.
Throttle launcher is awesome but no way it can work on my device,buggy and extremely slow,same as Pointui Home 2, with the POINTSENSE suite 2.0.0.6 looks awesome but useless on my device. For everyone with a 128 MB device i would recommend it,there are many many interesting skins/themes and applets on the Pointui website http://www.pointui.com/
Also,i am waiting for a new or fixed version of Touch Shell Pro ,which looks promising also,has some nice skins too, version now is 1.1.0.17,but has too many issues still,on my UNI at least.
http://www.touch-shell.com/
Also i tried FEWidgets Ultimate,again nice idea but too slow on my UNI.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544874
There is now also this Sense UI Theme for FEWidgets Ultimate.
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-sense-ui-theme-for-fewidgets-ultimate.html
As for launchers,i tried plenty,most of them too slow ofc,the nicer ones
Easy Today Launcher is a nice today plugin,you can combine it with some others to make a nice today screen also :
http://www.loffactory.webs.com/
MyAction is a nice launcher you can pick up here versions 1.1 and new 2.0 :
http://www.8080.pl/
This one looks real nice but was way too slow on my 64 mb - Touchlaunch :
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-touchlaunch.html
And for last,the best thing i found to be part of my today screen,is a skin for marsware weather panel 2009 - here is the whole thing :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=401781
When i get time i will put some more up,when i remember them,i really tried a lot of things out. And i really really wish that my UNI has 128 MB

I never looked back since getting SPB Mobile Shell 3.5, I think it's the best. In fact, once I got it, the ROM UI became irrelevant, I even have WM5 on one of my Unis in order to have the VC and not suffer much.

Complexity
Jonny
Thanks for starting this thread. I have also played with a number of the Today screen graphical setup programs, some are quite good. However, since upgrading to 6.5 I quite like the standard program screen that comes up when you select start.
My question is why do we need any of these today screen programs, when the icons and screen are already there. We really don't want to add any more complexity to the setup or anything else to use up precious memory.
I originally asked the question to see if there was just a way of bypassing the today screen altogether, so that the standard program screen came up by default.
Now thanks to you we have the collective minds thinking about it.

@gewin:
I actually got your idea. But couldn't find the function OS calls (@shell32.exe) when you hit on start menu.
Once we get then it is just the easy part....

I use SPB Pocket Plus, because it can handle other today plugins in different tabs. And it runs quickly on UNI64...

Thanks guys, this has been very informative. Especially to PalDragon for all the review... I'm going to give some of those a try. Cheers. What do others think?
MyAction - I found I didn't like. It looks ok if you use all the icons, otherwise you have half a screen full of blue +'s. I would prefer slide to screen, rather than use of a Prev/Next button. You also need to add all the apps yourself, it wasn't self-populating.
TouchLaunch - like. However only 1 item per line means a lot of scrolling, and the scrolling can be quite slow. Nice that you can make categories. Latest version here. Smooth (on my 128MB Uni)
EasyToday Launcher - @gewin, this is what you want! It's not self-populating, but I do like it. And as PalDragon pointed out, you can add other Today items with it, if you wish.

enigma1nz said:
I never looked back since getting SPB Mobile Shell 3.5, I think it's the best. In fact, once I got it, the ROM UI became irrelevant, I even have WM5 on one of my Unis in order to have the VC and not suffer much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i completely agree, its not free though but worth it...

Hi Jonny.. can you please attache some pics of your today screen if you haven't yet, I use HTC Home its got all i need even wheather, Messaging etc... But i wonder if its possible to add some applications to the wm6.5 on that cool up down slide. This made me stop using HTC Home but now i have some app's missing on my today.

my today screen is unintersting. I use WM6.5 'Ron Arad Orange' with CHome editor* for my apps (piccy1). I used to have weather plugin* but this seemed to make my GPS navigation freeze intermittently. I use QuickMenu* for my task switcher (piccy2) and iReflect icons* in my start menu (piccy3) with honeycomb start menu*. (Also, once used ATContacts widget*).
However I am still looking for a good 'app launcher' for games. I use fexploreext* set to 'Icon View' (see piccy4&5). Sadly fexploreext doesn't seem to work in WM6.5.1
I did once create a HomeScreen++ theme* for back when it was BatteryStatus, but haven't kept it up to date. It also had weather. The funny thing about weather widgets is that whenever I want to look at the forecast, I always want to update it ... so it seemed reasonable to stick with weather from an internet page! (perhaps because in UK weather is so changeable, I don't know!)
however, I am beginning to like SPB Mobile Shell (unsure how long the trial is for). What themes are people using? enigma1nz? phezthie?
FEWidgets and throttlelauncher seem similar, but a poor mans copy?
*if you want any of these files, just PM me.

spb mobile shell is really impressive and powerful (the latest is v3.5), ive been using ms v2 since tomal's 8.5. however, based from my experience, v3.5 is not advisable using tomal's wm6.5 roms (v9 & 10) due to slow response and occasional freeze. same with other wm6.5 cooked roms i tried, the reason why ram upgrade is imperative, at least for me, to enjoy the latest rom with latest spb.
off course, another solution i think is if our great uni rom chefs will always consider releasing vanilla of their great work...

UltimateLaunch
http://www.ultimatelaunch.de/index_en.html
Setup is a bit of a hassle (I've been messing around in Android, so a lot of Windows Mobile/Phone stuff seems more complex to customize), but if you're willing to put in the time, it's a rock solid-app and can customize to a T. It's also the least memory-hungry of what I've tried.
The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't accommodate rotation very well unless you count out pixels and just set it up so that in landscape it looks good even though the bottom of your screen is cut off.
I've tried Lakeridge (think Titanic, flashy, but *will* crash), ThrottleLauncher, Win6.5, SPB, SBSH. I keep coming back to this.

I used most of the GI app there and i liked WAD2. and i used with my custom theme when i was in wm 6.1, now with 6.5 due to memory issue i can not run it. so i'm using titanium with some customization.... see pic's below...

Hey Rajiv
Jane is so beautiful!!

Yes, very nice Jane, mate

orb3000 said:
Hey Rajiv
Jane is so beautiful!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
enigma1nz said:
Yes, very nice Jane, mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx a lot Guyz...

i envy you mate

phezthie said:
i envy you mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He he
common guys no comment on titanium ....

Manila? No, thanks. I need speed.

Manila, Manila 2.1, Manila 2.5, Sense.
Cool, Eye catchers, Smooth, etc. etc. etc.
These add-ons make the Topaz look and feel better. Just scroll left, scroll right, touch the thing and it rollz.
Is this really needed?
I don't think so. I have tried a lot of roms with these interfaces. Indeed the eyes are satisfied. But the performance is not.
I want when press the green send button the dialer to appear immediately, not after the phone first wake up. I want when executing something the thing to be run, rather than waiting sometimes ridiculous seconds until the appearance.
I was bored and bored with waiting. Really why something to be loaded into my system if that is not what works for me?? I work with dialer, contacts, calendar, run various applications. Why to waste system resources on interfaces???
My boredom lead to removing the sense through the today settings and
adding some today plugins, like launcher. And of course – topaz keyboard control for keys mapping.
The result is much much faster phone, which works for me, not for the interface.
Edit: WM 6.1. is fast, but a lot of features from 2009 are missing, that is why I prefer WM6.5.

if you want speed install wm 6.1 with no interface.

orlean, agree completely

orlean said:
Manila, Manila 2.1, Manila 2.5, Sense.
Cool, Eye catchers, Smooth, etc. etc. etc.
These add-ons make the Topaz look and feel better. Just scroll left, scroll right, touch the thing and it rollz.
Is this really needed?
I don't think so. I have tried a lot of roms with these interfaces. Indeed the eyes are satisfied. But the performance is not.
I want when press the green send button the dialer to appear immediately, not after the phone first wake up. I want when executing something the thing to be run, rather than waiting sometimes ridiculous seconds until the appearance.
I was bored and bored with waiting. Really why something to be loaded into my system if that is not what works for me?? I work with dialer, contacts, calendar, run various applications. Why to waste system resources on interfaces???
My boredom lead to removing the sense through the today settings and
adding some today plugins, like launcher. And of course – topaz keyboard control for keys mapping.
The result is much much faster phone, which works for me, not for the interface.
Edit: WM 6.1. is fast, but a lot of features from 2009 are missing, that is why I prefer WM6.5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which features do you mean??????

cyron_at
Basically I lack WIFI router integrated (I know I can install it separately);
And I had some bad expirence with some settings which I can not recall now.
But the number of question marks in your post made me look for another 6.1. realase. I am now downloading tess 6.1. from august.
What do you use?

use tess and you will be fine).
and if 6.1 is ugly to you try home ui or new infinity ui. they are speedy too.

orlean said:
cyron_at
Basically I lack WIFI router integrated (I know I can install it separately);
And I had some bad expirence with some settings which I can not recall now.
But the number of question marks in your post made me look for another 6.1. realase. I am now downloading tess 6.1. from august.
What do you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using duttys HG R6...very stable; but try them all and make your choice...

So this has anything to do with themes?
I didnt think so. Try posting in the right section, then maybe your phone will be speedier.

xboxhaxorz said:
So this has anything to do with themes?
I didnt think so. Try posting in the right section, then maybe your phone will be speedier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The forum is titled " Topaz Themes, Applications and Software"
Sense 2.1 & 2.5 fit 2 of these categories....

xboxhaxorz said:
So this has anything to do with themes?
I didnt think so. Try posting in the right section, then maybe your phone will be speedier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chill man he posted about the fact that mannila sucks and he coudnt be more correct.

I'm with you! Stopped using Manila a few days ago and my mobile experience has never been better. Using no today plug-ins now and my phone is faster, lighter and more stable than ever before. Memory usage is now 33% on a fresh boot and my home screen is uncluttered showing only my wallpaper, which looks great.
The most important thing for me was organising my start menu so that all my apps are readily accessable. That done, it's easy for me to access everything i need quickly, in fact faster than it was using Manila. I find Winmo 6.5 has everything i need with exception of a few things, and for those there are great free alternatives without having to resort to Manila bloat. For instance i use Nitrogen as a music player which is ten times better than Windows mobile media player OR Manila player.
Of course your mileage will vary but in my opinion the OP is right. Get yourself a good 6.5 ROM, install apps for the things you need/use a lot and use the start menu to access them.

Hi DirkGently1,
Hi guys;
I tried WM6.5. then reverted to 6.1.
I have running in the background: FingerKeyboard, AutoCallRecord, PlayPause, Topazkbgkontrol.
Memory after restart... 29%
I use Topaz Essential 6.1. v.2f
And the best part is that I don't want to flash new rom anymore :

orlean said:
Hi DirkGently1,
Hi guys;
I tried WM6.5. then reverted to 6.1.
I have running in the background: FingerKeyboard, AutoCallRecord, PlayPause, Topazkbgkontrol.
Memory after restart... 29%
I use Topaz Essential 6.1. v.2f
And the best part is that I don't want to flash new rom anymore :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So true. Once you find a good ROM there's no reason to change. Stability and speed are what makes a good user experience and Manila, or any other add-on UI, runs contrary to that by adding complexity, instability and bloat.

i hate to say this twice but realy , try infinity. runs realy great on topaz. it maybe not complete replacment yet but its usable

madman_cro said:
i hate to say this twice but realy , try infinity. runs realy great on topaz. it maybe not complete replacment yet but its usable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But what does it do that i can't do without it?

well. nothing realy. but its nice to have shortcuts the way you want them and see what time it is. and all that is pretty without slowdowns

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=582081
Just a nod to the chef here for people who like a clean rom without any bloatware. Xara 6.5.x clean is working perfectly on my Topaz and i LOVE it!

DirkGently1 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=582081
Just a nod to the chef here for people who like a clean rom without any bloatware. Xara 6.5.x clean is working perfectly on my Topaz and i LOVE it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! That is what I am always looking for! I dont understand how can I pass that. nah....
Thanks for the link dude

krs4444 said:
Great! That is what I am always looking for! I dont understand how can I pass that. nah....
Thanks for the link dude
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My pleasure!
This is the 1st truly useable clean rom that has been released for the Topaz and it is really spot on. Even the default Windows Mobile keyboard is useable, in fact much improved from previous iterations.
Kudos to the chef.

Ï hate Manila and I hate 6.5 -and I'll probably also hate 7