#6511 by lifehacker
Managing Your Today Screen
By Gigi Hsueh
Your Today Screen is like the front door to your Axim. It is the Pocket PC equivalent to the "desktop" on your desktop or laptop PC. Whenever you perform a soft reset or power off after closing all applications, the first thing you will see when you power up your Axim again is your Today screen. Because the Today screen is so often accessed, it is a convenient place from which to access frequently-used applications and important information. As well, the Today screen can also be a place to show off your personality and interests.
Themes: Changing the Appearance of your Today Screen
One of the most obvious ways to personalize your Axim is by changing the background image of your Today Screen. This background image is known as a theme. (Note: Do not confuse a theme with a skin. A skin refers to the visual appearance of an application [e.g., Windows Media Player] whereas a theme is the background picture to your Today screen.)
Your Axim comes with the following theme displayed as default (Figure 1):
If you don't like the default image, you can easily change it by going into Start--> Settings -> Personal (tab) --> Today and selecting an alternate theme. PPC2002 and WM2003 come with only a few different themes. Fortunately, there are many more themes you can use besides the ones included by Microsoft. You can either download themes created by others (see Popular Sites for Theme Downloads, below), or create your own. In technical terms, a Pocket PC theme is simply an image file with a .tsk extension. The task of changing the your theme is merely the act of selecting a different .tsk file to display. In order to install a new theme onto your Axim, copy it from your desktop PC to your Axim using Explorer or ActiveSync. It can be placed either in My Documents or the Windows folder as long as it is placed in the root (i.e., not subfolders). After you've copied your theme over to your Axim, go back into your Settings-->Today and then make your selection.
With the right tools, it is very easy to create your own themes. Microsoft Theme Generator is one of the most popular applications to use, perhaps because it is free and user friendly. It allows you to customize any Bitmap or .jpg image for use on your device. Microsoft Theme Generator is designed for PPC2002 but may be used for WM2003 as well. The only function that is not available for WM2003 is the option to Send theme to device when finished; however, this can be easily accomplished by copying the files manually. Other theme generators include ThemeMakerPro or ThemeMakerPro Plus, CETuner, FlashThemes Generator, FunnySnake TKCreater, and pocket Theme Manager. These offer more functions, such as being able to create animated themes and do more powerful image editing. If you need to create Pocket PC themes on a Mac, PocketMac Theme Creator can help you do the job. For some inspiration, check out the Aximsite thread Show off your ppc today screen!
BetterToday is another application that allows you to change your Today theme. It differs from the others in that it does not actually create a .tsk file; rather it allows ordinary images to be displayed on the Today screen. All a user has to do is to upload the desired images to their Pocket PC and Better Today will automatically display it on the Today screen.
Instructions on using Microsoft Theme Generator
The following instructions are for Microsoft Theme Generator v.2.
Open up Microsoft Theme Generator and click on Create a new theme.
You will then be asked to select an image to use. Remember that there will be text over this image so choose images that are fairly consistent in brightness. You may also create your own images using a separate image editor. Keep images 240 X 286 pixels for the Today screen.
After you have made your selection, you also have the option to edit the image when you click on Modify this image. For my mountain theme, I chose to lighten up the image. After you are finished, click on "OK."
At the next window, you will have the option to set up your Start Menu Theme. You may may choose the same image as your theme or any other image you would like. Again, you may create your own using an image editor. Keep the dimensions at 148 X 287pixels. After you have made your selection, click on Next.
The next step will allow you to choose colors for text and menu bars. When you are finished, click on Next.
Finally, you will be asked to save your new theme. If you want to have control over image quality and type, click on Advanced Options first. Here is my new theme:
The Today screen normally only displays a single, nonmoving image. If you would like to add more pizzazz, you will need to install other applications. Animated Today (Figure 7) and FlashThemes Player (freeware) are examples of applications that will allow your Axim to display animated Flash themes. FlashMates is a free application with animations that pop up over your themes from time to time. ThemeDream, pocket Theme Manager, ThemeMaster, FunnySnake ThemeKing/FunnySnake ThemeKingPlus (Figure 7), Theme Viewer, Theme Sync, and FlashThemes Plus /FlashThemes Pro will allow you to manage your themes.
Screensavers
There is no need to use screensavers on your Axim since its LCD screen is not vulnerable to burn-in. However, it is still fun to have something to look at while your Axim sits docked in its cradle. Pocket Candy is a popular freeware application which allows you to run screensavers on your Axim. Pocket Candy comes with six screensavers, and you may download others, including Matrix (Figure
and TimePiece. There are other applications which are not meant to run screensavers per se, but allow you to view slideshows on your Today screen. CESlideShow uses part of the Today screen to show your images whereas Dockware (Figure uses the entire screen and features a clock and calendar as well.
Screen Capture Tools
One way to share your Today screen with others is to take a screenshot of it. There a number of screen capture utilities, many of which are free.
Magic SS - freeware
Pocket Screen Capture -freeware
CE Capture - freeware
ScreenCap - freeware
Resco Picture Viewer (may cause problems with ActiveSync, see PPczone.net for details; is available on your Dell CD)
Valksoft Screen Capture Utility
Pocket Controller (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync)
Remote Control Display for Pocket PC (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync)
GetPDA Screen (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync) - freeware
Today Screen Plugins
A plugin is a small program that can be "plugged into" another program to add features and functionality. There are many different Today screen plugins available for your Axim, including program switchers/killers, program launchers, system managers (e.g., displays battery or memory use), information managers (e.g., displays weather forecast, stocks, important dates) and ones that actually act as a separate application (e.g., notepad, audio player). Many Today plugins are capable of doing more than one function. Because of the great number of Today screen plugins that are available, only the popular or the more unique ones are listed below. Other places to search for more include DEVBUZZ.COM, Pocket PC for All and of course Google. If all of these plugins are making you dizzy with confusion, there is even a tool called No Plugins Today which allows you to turn off all your Today plugins at once! If you are a developer, a good resource for creating Today plugins is Pocket PC Developer Network.
If you need help in installing the plugins, see the tutorial Installing, Running and Uninstalling Software. Today Plugins are typically installed into Main Memory for faster access and also to ensure that is available even when the memory cards are removed. In order to run the plugin, go to Start --> Settings --> Today --> Items (tab) and then select the items you wish to appear on your Today screen. If you want to remove a plugin, make sure you uncheck the one you want uninstalled and perform a soft reset before attempting to uninstall.
Owner Info eXtended, Sci-Fi Bar
By Gigi Hsueh
Your Today Screen is like the front door to your Axim. It is the Pocket PC equivalent to the "desktop" on your desktop or laptop PC. Whenever you perform a soft reset or power off after closing all applications, the first thing you will see when you power up your Axim again is your Today screen. Because the Today screen is so often accessed, it is a convenient place from which to access frequently-used applications and important information. As well, the Today screen can also be a place to show off your personality and interests.
Themes: Changing the Appearance of your Today Screen
One of the most obvious ways to personalize your Axim is by changing the background image of your Today Screen. This background image is known as a theme. (Note: Do not confuse a theme with a skin. A skin refers to the visual appearance of an application [e.g., Windows Media Player] whereas a theme is the background picture to your Today screen.)
Your Axim comes with the following theme displayed as default (Figure 1):
If you don't like the default image, you can easily change it by going into Start--> Settings -> Personal (tab) --> Today and selecting an alternate theme. PPC2002 and WM2003 come with only a few different themes. Fortunately, there are many more themes you can use besides the ones included by Microsoft. You can either download themes created by others (see Popular Sites for Theme Downloads, below), or create your own. In technical terms, a Pocket PC theme is simply an image file with a .tsk extension. The task of changing the your theme is merely the act of selecting a different .tsk file to display. In order to install a new theme onto your Axim, copy it from your desktop PC to your Axim using Explorer or ActiveSync. It can be placed either in My Documents or the Windows folder as long as it is placed in the root (i.e., not subfolders). After you've copied your theme over to your Axim, go back into your Settings-->Today and then make your selection.
With the right tools, it is very easy to create your own themes. Microsoft Theme Generator is one of the most popular applications to use, perhaps because it is free and user friendly. It allows you to customize any Bitmap or .jpg image for use on your device. Microsoft Theme Generator is designed for PPC2002 but may be used for WM2003 as well. The only function that is not available for WM2003 is the option to Send theme to device when finished; however, this can be easily accomplished by copying the files manually. Other theme generators include ThemeMakerPro or ThemeMakerPro Plus, CETuner, FlashThemes Generator, FunnySnake TKCreater, and pocket Theme Manager. These offer more functions, such as being able to create animated themes and do more powerful image editing. If you need to create Pocket PC themes on a Mac, PocketMac Theme Creator can help you do the job. For some inspiration, check out the Aximsite thread Show off your ppc today screen!
BetterToday is another application that allows you to change your Today theme. It differs from the others in that it does not actually create a .tsk file; rather it allows ordinary images to be displayed on the Today screen. All a user has to do is to upload the desired images to their Pocket PC and Better Today will automatically display it on the Today screen.
Instructions on using Microsoft Theme Generator
The following instructions are for Microsoft Theme Generator v.2.
Open up Microsoft Theme Generator and click on Create a new theme.
You will then be asked to select an image to use. Remember that there will be text over this image so choose images that are fairly consistent in brightness. You may also create your own images using a separate image editor. Keep images 240 X 286 pixels for the Today screen.
After you have made your selection, you also have the option to edit the image when you click on Modify this image. For my mountain theme, I chose to lighten up the image. After you are finished, click on "OK."
At the next window, you will have the option to set up your Start Menu Theme. You may may choose the same image as your theme or any other image you would like. Again, you may create your own using an image editor. Keep the dimensions at 148 X 287pixels. After you have made your selection, click on Next.
The next step will allow you to choose colors for text and menu bars. When you are finished, click on Next.
Finally, you will be asked to save your new theme. If you want to have control over image quality and type, click on Advanced Options first. Here is my new theme:
The Today screen normally only displays a single, nonmoving image. If you would like to add more pizzazz, you will need to install other applications. Animated Today (Figure 7) and FlashThemes Player (freeware) are examples of applications that will allow your Axim to display animated Flash themes. FlashMates is a free application with animations that pop up over your themes from time to time. ThemeDream, pocket Theme Manager, ThemeMaster, FunnySnake ThemeKing/FunnySnake ThemeKingPlus (Figure 7), Theme Viewer, Theme Sync, and FlashThemes Plus /FlashThemes Pro will allow you to manage your themes.
Screensavers
There is no need to use screensavers on your Axim since its LCD screen is not vulnerable to burn-in. However, it is still fun to have something to look at while your Axim sits docked in its cradle. Pocket Candy is a popular freeware application which allows you to run screensavers on your Axim. Pocket Candy comes with six screensavers, and you may download others, including Matrix (Figure
and TimePiece. There are other applications which are not meant to run screensavers per se, but allow you to view slideshows on your Today screen. CESlideShow uses part of the Today screen to show your images whereas Dockware (Figure uses the entire screen and features a clock and calendar as well.Screen Capture Tools
One way to share your Today screen with others is to take a screenshot of it. There a number of screen capture utilities, many of which are free.
Magic SS - freeware
Pocket Screen Capture -freeware
CE Capture - freeware
ScreenCap - freeware
Resco Picture Viewer (may cause problems with ActiveSync, see PPczone.net for details; is available on your Dell CD)
Valksoft Screen Capture Utility
Pocket Controller (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync)
Remote Control Display for Pocket PC (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync)
GetPDA Screen (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync) - freeware
Today Screen Plugins
A plugin is a small program that can be "plugged into" another program to add features and functionality. There are many different Today screen plugins available for your Axim, including program switchers/killers, program launchers, system managers (e.g., displays battery or memory use), information managers (e.g., displays weather forecast, stocks, important dates) and ones that actually act as a separate application (e.g., notepad, audio player). Many Today plugins are capable of doing more than one function. Because of the great number of Today screen plugins that are available, only the popular or the more unique ones are listed below. Other places to search for more include DEVBUZZ.COM, Pocket PC for All and of course Google. If all of these plugins are making you dizzy with confusion, there is even a tool called No Plugins Today which allows you to turn off all your Today plugins at once! If you are a developer, a good resource for creating Today plugins is Pocket PC Developer Network.
If you need help in installing the plugins, see the tutorial Installing, Running and Uninstalling Software. Today Plugins are typically installed into Main Memory for faster access and also to ensure that is available even when the memory cards are removed. In order to run the plugin, go to Start --> Settings --> Today --> Items (tab) and then select the items you wish to appear on your Today screen. If you want to remove a plugin, make sure you uncheck the one you want uninstalled and perform a soft reset before attempting to uninstall.
Owner Info eXtended, Sci-Fi Bar
