[TClock3 0.3.5]

I am looking for a good link for this. Help

Tclock is very buggy.

use smoothtext instead.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

have you looked into the 32bit icons not showing in taskbar when skinengine is on.

[live Messenger Offline]

Hello what is the switch or how to do so live messenger 8.5 and 9 just download the files for an offline installation.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

The icons not showing in taskbar when have the skining on is.

apps with 32bit icons.

Like if I press my computer I see the icon then I patch explorer with 32bit icons then the icon is not showing.

and the other software that the icons is not showing does also has 32bit icons.

I list the bugs I found so far.

1. Commondialog open button not skinning.

2. 32bit ikons not showing in taskbar.

3. Startbutton flicker sometime you see the original startbutton flashing for a millisecond.

4. Taskbar not skinning until you have open an app or a directory that is using the taskbar Then it skin perfect.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

Taskbar background will appear but in 1.0 it write over the startbutton.

so the startbutton is not visible but I I click where the start button is the start menu is shown.

So I think he first write the start button and then write the taskbar but it maybe should be the other way.

It feels like it is that way.

Edit:

to make an great working Skin I did like this.

I took the files from Alysseum Plus so they use with the Alysseum Plus!- Charger ini file.

So now I have an working skin.

I have now start to replace my own file onto this skin and use the Alysseum ini file.

And with that taskbar skinning is working quit good.

and the startbutton is visible.

I did see that it does not skin the open button in "common dialogs"

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

The skinning engine works better in 0.99 than in 1.0.

I use exactly the same skin in 099 and in 100 and it shows up better in 099.

but it is still the same error when skinning is on.

some icons in the taskbar is not showing.

Wats not working good in 1.0 is the startbutton.

its not working good in 099 but better.

also have you plan to add support to use png files instead of bitmaps and TGA.

because then PNG has the great transparent support for startbutton if you want a nice glowing startbutton then it is not possible right now.

only if you make the background of the startbutton exactly as the background in the taskbar.

and that is hard if you don´t have a taskbar with only one color.

buttons and stuff is working good.

it is the taskbar that need more work in the skinning engine.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

The config app is very great.

it is easy to change the settings.

if smooth text is being instable.

So Thanks for that.

But overall it seems much more stable than previews release.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

That looks nice.

Looking forward to see the Version 1.0.

But don´t release the 1.0 version to early.

1.0 should be quit more stable.

but after what you say it sounds more stable esecially with the more controll over the overiding.

Ofcource we want it as fast as possible.

But if you feel that something is to big bug or something don´t release it until it is ready for a new release.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

Just a little update...InstallShield Express comes with Delphi 6 Pro and I finally decided to give it a try. It's pretty neat, and for version 1.0.0 there will be a single Setup.exe rather than a ZIP file.

as long as it need update often.

There is no need for an installer.

But when it is stable enough an installer would be great.

But those installer often make some reg entrys that only make the registry bigger witch in not good.

So for an installer make your own with a 7zip file, Command based 7zip.exe to extract the 7zip to %Programfiles% and also an 7zip file containing the ink file to startmenu.

then do all this with a cmd file.

then your can also use a .reg file to add smoothtext to startup folder.

So it is an silent installer.

Then use 7zipsilencer to make the installer.

[Graphic Win2k tweaks, start menu icon and others]

There is a Pack called VistaPack that change to icons and stuff automatic for you.

it is very great. http://www.vistapack.org

They are now working on Version 3.

Then you can take a look on WildBills Smoothtext That will give you Cleartype looks on windows 2000 is also has a skinning engine in it so it can change

allot of stuff like taskbar, buttons and stuff.

But it is under development so it is not fully stable.

There is some stuff needed to get it to work.

So for me it works quit stable. And Wildbill is doing a fantastic work on it.

Also there is a project called Daedalus that makes windows 2000 explorer use 32bit icons.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

If anyone else want a basic skin to test Send a PM.

But it is a very early skin and far away for complete thats why not post it to public.

But when it has more in it and all works in it.

all taskbar does not work Properly.

its because some stuff wrong in the ini not the skinning engine.

But when its done its gonna be uploaded.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

I made a aero button

Although there's no hover image . Alpha TGA's are a pain in Photoshop (seperate alpha layer instead of regular opacity), but workable.

Font Substitutions seems to induce corruption... Oo. Maybe ASCII/unicode number things are different between fonts.

EDIT: Made a checkbox. I dunno what every second frame in that image is for... I only see 6 frames out of 12. Nvm. Those are disabled states. ><"

EDIT2: Didn't notice the whole bit at the end describing each frame... Also, does the _HOT suffix mean hover? Because it's turning out to be disabled for checkboxes.

EDIT3: Woot!

That looks good.

did you get my PM.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

it seems that the skinning engine only works with TGA filesor am I wrong.

BMP does not work.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

I'm sure there's a way to put that action in a batch file, but I'm too lazy

I did like this open regedit go to the smoothtext regsettings stuff.

then file export.

then

[-hkey.....somthing

a - before everything.

but thats erase all smoothtext settings.

But I like the way Tihy has done with RP9 or Uberskin.

nice and clean one software for configue then the real apps are only running at lowest resources possible.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

so the settings can be configured in the same program.

I think we are splitted of what we want.

We will see how this ends up.

Cheers man.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

so the settings can be configured in the same program.

I think we are splitted of what we want. Cheers man.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

I think that Override Standard Controls is still buggy (specifically, there is probably a bug in the code for one of the control types). The problem is figuring out where the problem is: for version 1.0.0 I think I'm going to have to let you turn on or off overriding of individual controls. Hopefully that will let you narrow down the problem.

Sound like a good idea.

The SmoothText program itself doesn't consume all that much in the way of resources

No I know it does not take upallot of resources.

But my idea was if it take less resource it even better.

Also I think that an icon in the system tray is not needed.

When you have it configured as needed.

when it is working and configure it how you would have it with skins and stuff.

Then its gonna be in startup folder and just be running in the background.

I think smoothtext on my computer with the skinning on takes about 5mb of ram.

but I'm thinking of going along with Tripo's suggestion of a program that can configure it without actually starting it. That should help you in cases where it's causing lockups and you're trying to narrow it down.

Yes that sounds great I think it is easier when it freezes.

to config Smoothtext to get it to work again if it is a standalone app to config.

Cheers man.

great work.

For now it is stable for me.

When I have done the ctrl+alt+del thing I sad.

and that for first start only.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

If I reset all settings for smoothtext.

And start it.

I must do this thing with ctrl+alt+del thing.

Even if I do a hard reset and not do the ctrl+alt+del thing.

look all settings for smoothtext is right.

And smoothtext does not work.

So I have to do the ctrl+alt+del thing.

otherwise Smoothtext will not work.

But when I have done that once.

then Smoothtext works great with overrides standard controlls.

as long as I keep the settings.

But if I made the settings in smoothtext and not the ctrl+alt+del thing.

smoothtext will not work even that the settings in the registry is right.

I can´t explain why But I need to do it otherwise I got the same Explorer freezes only thing that works is ctrl+alt+del.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

I'm still having problems with Overriding Standard Controls...

The whole system just locks up (mouse still moves, no alt+tab or ctrl+alt+delete) needing a hard reset. No logs of any kind are left... I'm probably just going to aim for a fresh install of 2000, one of these days.

are you sure that ctrl+alt+del don´t work.

mine does the same when activeing overide standard controlls.

But when I use ctrl+alt+del and close an dir with it.

it works.

even next time I start Smoothtext it works.

So it feels that it is something with overrides standard with Making the new reg settings and making cache.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

To use a color-keyed image, you have to do something like this:

[color7]

ID=Pink <-- Note the name of the color (you can call it anything you want!)

R=255

G=0

B=255

[iMAGE0]

ID=PushButton

FileName=buttons.bmp

FrameOrder=HorzFirst

FrameCountingHorz=Increments

FrameCountingVert=Increments

FramesHorz=5

FramesVert=1

StretchRectTop=6

StretchRectBottom=6

StretchRectLeft=6

StretchRectRight=6

Transparency=ColorKey <-- This tells SmoothText that the image uses a color to designate transparency

ColorKey=Pink <-- This is the name of the color you use, it has to be whatever you used in the color's ID field

I have exactly like that.

Edit:

Sorry I did not have exactly like that.

I missed this part.

Transparency=ColorKey

Will test it.

Also I think the slowdown was first time smooth text was started.

Then it has been running in full speed.

So there is no slowdowns as I sad before.

The skin Engine is nice to play with.

There is many options to have it skinning.

Nice Work.

I did see that the start button sometimes flicker.

When pushed you will see the original button for a short while.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

One BUG with skinning is the transparency.

If I choose color key Pink for the start button.

And make a picture with that color that is specified in color section for pink 255,0,255.

Then it will still show that color So around the startbutton I got a box around it.

For my skin I can make it with right back color and not use the Transparent.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

has anyone tried skinning yet? I'm curious to see how it works for you.

not yet.

I did made a Skin but I Think I lost the files when reformatted.

But I will made a new and test to see if it works.

Thanks again for your fantastic work.

Edit:

I have now test The skinning.

Did make a taskbar background.

and the startbutton picture.

the taskbar did look good.

But the startbutton.

I think the size was to big so it did show it wrong.

did only see part of the startbutton.

But that was my button.

will test make some new picture to test with.

So conclusion.

1. Now it works.

2. It made it get very slow and the Smoothtext config window did not want to close like if it Freezed or something.

3. Did not get any error message.

4. Smoothtext it self without skinning works very good has just test it from yesterday until now. But it look promising. No crash or Explorer Restarts. Only crash/ Get very slow with skinning.

Sknning can it handle PNG and jpg or has it to be BMP or TGA.

i´m running it on my P4 3,0Ghz with 2GB ram.

Edit2:

I have now edit the ini file little and find some wrong in it I made.

So Will try it again and see if it works better.

also some suggestion.

1. Code the smoothtext in 2 .exe.

one the main exe running smoothtext so there is no form in it and no icon in systray.

the second .exe could be the config exe. That is started to just config the Smoothtext.

To apply the settings there need smoothtext to be restarted.

in that way you can reduce the code in the running exe and also I think you can reduce the resources smoothtext takes up.

Edit3:

it looks like this now.

but it is still slow when Skinning is on.

First to get it to work.

I must open a folder in explorer.

So I have a explorer window open.

Then start Smoothtext.

Explorer will freeze.

I prees CTRL + ALT + DEL.

The explorer window is not responding.

I close that process.

Now explorer restarts.

and smoothtext is working and skinning.

But it is still problem with taskbar button icons.

When they are iconized.

Don´t know if it is like that when not iconized.

and this problem is only there when skinning engine is enable/Override standard controls enabled.

Edit Again:

Then if you look at my picture.

there is grey borders.

Witch controll is the whole taskbar so the grey stuff is skinned.

Is it the rebar or witch is it.

Edit OnemoreTime:

I have now resized the pictures so they looks better.

And as you see not all icons are not working properly.

From left to Right.

Ffirst icon should be explorer.

second is ACDsee and as you see that icon works.

the third icon is Photoshop CS2 and it does not work.

and when Overide standard controls is enabled the back button text in explorer when browsing my hard drive is a mess and the address label text in explorer is on wrong place.

as in one other picture I posted.

but this last time Explorer was not as slow as the first time.

But I need to CTRL + ALT + DEL thingy with explorer to get it to work.

[SmoothText 1.1.8]

nice to see the progress.

The download link say 098 but is it the 099 version.

[hey windows 2000 good ?]

because 2000 is a better OS.

Honestly, Win98 was a FAR better OS for most people (if not just for driver availability alone), until XP was released. At which point XP became a FAR better option. BTW, things like "But XP Dont clean up memory as good as Windows2000" don't make sense. RAM doesn't have to be "cleaned" or anything. I had no such issues as you describe on my old Duron 800 back when XP was released (circa 2001). Great uptimes too. As for BSODs, I've had more BSODs in a single day using Win2k (again, thanks Creative & VIA!) than I've ever had using XP.

if win98 had better support for NTFS and some good file system for big files.

I should have use it now instead of windows 2000.

Windows98 is a fantastic OS.

and with RP9 and kernelex it is really good.

But there is no good way for NTFS.

Yes there are a few NTFS for win98 but for me they have not worked very well.

And if NT4 has better driver support I should have use it to.

But there is no NT4 drivers for my computer.

So I´m not an Win2K or win9x man.

I only realistic whats good and whats not for me.

But on you it sounds like XP is the sended by God.

and nothing else is good enough.

It sounds like that.

I only reference to my experience.

and for me Windows 2000 Works and always works.

And XP does not work good enough for me.

Sometime BSOD it gets slow faster than any other OS.

and you did say Ram does not be cleaned.

Why does XP being slow after a week or so.

and after a reboot it is fast as before.

And I have heard of many that XP does that.

More than 100people has told me the same that XP getting slow after a week power on.

And it does that for me to.

But not my 2K i did have XP on the same machine as I have 2K on also.

and XP did the same for me.

it do that on all computer I have test XP on.

but Maybe I only got bad luck with XP.

But thats my opinion and whats work for me.

[hey windows 2000 good ?]

lol with its system specs i dont think so

Yes, because the only important thing about an OS is running on grossly outdated hardware, right?

At least, that's what it seems to be all about when you hear all those people who keep saying win9x and win2k are great. Most of them seem to not want to replace their 10 year old hardware (in average) either (P2's and P3's with 128MB RAM or so) or are just stuck in the past, or unable/unwilling to adapt to any changes. 2010 is right around the corner, it's not 1999 anymore.

XP is history as far as I'm concerned, and Win 2003 is quickly heading there too (and Vista in a few years). Win7 will be released in 4 months, then they'll start working on its replacement (Win 8, or whatever it'll be called)

my 2K box is an P4 3,2ghz with 2GB of ram.

But if there was an x64 windows 2000 I should have run it on my x64 instead of XP X64 on my.

because 2000 is a better OS.