The art of installing skins
I get a few messages from people who have trouble installing skins so I thought I'd clarify a couple of things.
Skins are not applications. There is no way to have a nice executable for you to click on to install the skins. All files have to be copied over to the pocket pc manually (using ActiveSync and the "Explore" button). I always provide detailed instructions on how to do this. The file is called "instructions.txt" (or "InstructionsVGA.txt" and "InstructionsNonVGA.txt"). I suggest reading this first before reporting problems with the installation process. This is out of my control, it is just the way applications use skins.
Another thing makes this even more difficult: You can install applications to different locations. Many like putting programs in FileStores or on Storage Cards. The skins will have to be installed accordingly.
There is one exception to this: Spb Weather. The skin making process generates an executable for the user to click on.
Why two separate versions of the skins? This is because VGA and nonVGA (or QVGA which it also is called) have different resolutions (screen sizes). VGA screens are twice as big in pixels as nonVGA devices. If you install the wrong version the skin may work, but will look strange.
There is also a difference in Phone Edition Wisbar Advance skins and non Phone Edition skins. Phone Edition skins have a few more buttons to skin.
All this may seem very confusing and strange, but what it comes down to is just copying folders from your desktop pc to your pocket pc. As long as they go in to the right locations everything will work fine.
And remember: I don't provide any actual programs, just graphical enhancements to programs you already have. :)
7 Comments:
Well, I enjoy Juni's skin stuff, and there's no difficulty installing that into my pocket pc. It's as pretty easy as your copying or pasting files to a PC.
Of course, to those who are not accustomed to the way of dealing with files on a file explorer, it seems hard to do so, but if they can give it some tries, managing files would be a piece of cake.
Many people are used to just having an installer exe file to click on, so it can see a bit difficult at first :). Another thing I get asked a lot is how to enable the skinned "ABC bar" in contactbreeze. Here is how to do it:
PocketBreeze settings, drop down menu:
"Tabs Control Settings"
In the list, select "Contacts" and click on
"Enter Tab Settings"
Press the little black right arrow at the bottom until "ABC Bar" is revealed.
Click on "ABC Bar"
In the window that opens, select "Use skinned ABC search bar"
Click the "ok" icon at the bottom of the screen", Click it again.
Actually, the above instructions won't work since amit at SBSH decided the ABC bar should hav e a different file format. I am updating all the suites and skins eventually. The next update will have the ABC working correctly for nonVGA too (VGA already works).
Is there an issue withthe Black & White theme and WM5? I've installed the tsk files in my docs properly. They appear as a choice in the settings/today selection as a theme but when I pick any of the black & white or even White & Black, the theme defaults to the Windows default theme. All other themes work fine.
Thanks for any help.
Yes, apparently there is. Read the "More on WM5 and Spb Pocket Plus Extended themes" post.
I can't test any of this since I don't have a WM5 device yet.
pocket pc today theme are very popular, personalize your Pocket PC with products like the Screen Theme Manager which provides a bundle of multimedia themes for everyone to enjoy.
Hi, I was out blogging and found your site. It certainly got my attention and interest. I was looking for Multimedia information and even though this isn't a perfect match I enjoyed your site. Thanks for the read!
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