ZLauncher for Dummies...

[Aces]

I recently started down the dark path of using skins on my TH-55. But it's not working very well yet. I downloaded ZLauncher and am trying to decide to buy it or go back to the standard Palm launcher. I'm used to small icons and the default theme that came with it has much bigger ones than I'm used too. What I really wanted to do was have a cool background with the same sized icons as before. I've heard that ZLauncher does quite a lot, but that it's a bit daunting for a beginner.

I've searched in the forums but still haven't found any thing about this. Does anyone have some ideas? Or is there a link or two that teach us how to skin our devices?

-Kevin

[I love my mom]

I use Zlauncher, and like it. I'm not sure what you were saying about the icons, mine are the same size in Zlauncher and the default launcher. One thing I've noticed about Zlauncher however, is that it is quite buggy in certain features, such as custom tabs.

This thread might be helpful:
http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=236955&highlight=zlauncher+dummies
http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=233930&highlight=zlauncher+dummies

I realize that's two threads :D

[FerdFerd]

I assume you are used to having your applications shown with the View By: List option chosen, rather than View By: Icon. The former gives a small icon with the name of the icon next to it, rather than a larger icon with the name under it. (This is in the native Palm launcher.)

You can certainly choose the same options in Launcher X, and even on a category by category basis. (In the default Palm launcher, you see all of your applications in all categories the same way, either list for everything or icon for everything.) I have one category in Launcher X that shows all applications on my device in list format with the small icons with titles beside them. All the rest of my categories show the larger icons with the titles beneath. Launcher X also allows some other alternative display formats.

It's been quite awhile since I last evaluated ZLauncher, but I am virtually certain it has similar options to allow you to display your applications the way you are used to doing. You'll find out how in the documents included in the distribution archive. Or someone else will come a long and point you to the exact menu option you want.

[wellsjs]

You can have Zoom on for large icons, off for medium icons, and list option as FerdFerd said, in ZL. Bugs Luke? Only bugs I know of in ZL are created by operator error! :p

Aces, I know we all HATE to read the manual, but if you go one time through the online manual at ZZTechs, you will gain probably 80/85% proficiency in configuring ZL. It's worth every hour you might spend learning it.

Think of it this way . . . in less time than it takes to read War and Peace, you'll be an expert! :D

[I love my mom]

<snip>..Bugs Luke? Only bugs I know of in ZL are created by operator error! :p..<snip>


200% possible, for even I (you may want to sit down before continuing) make mistakes :p

When I make a new tab (category) I can place as many apps as I want into that category, but after the next soft reset, most if not all of the apps' categories have been set to unfiled. Very annoying...I hope it's just a loose nut on the keyboard

[wozofoz]

I love my mum said
" When I make a new tab (category) I can place as many apps as I want into that category, but after the next soft reset, most if not all of the apps' categories have been set to unfiled. Very annoying...I hope it's just a loose nut on the keyboard "

Hi, after creating a new Tab and/or shifting apps to new Tabs etc, I always do the following 3 steps and have no problems.

1) Menu/Options/Update All Shortcuts

2) Menu/Options/Refresh Apps

3) Menu/Options/ZLPrefs/Advanced/Category Setup/Overwrite System Category Info

NOTE: Users of Resco Explorer shoudl read the RE user manual (9 Remarks) for info about step #3

All the best, woz of oz

[Aces]

Thanks to all for the comments. I haden't seen the on-line manual, because I haden't scrolled the whole way down that web page ;). I have some serious reading ahead of me....

[Aces]

Just a final note on this thread.

After reading the manual, I discovered that each tab can specify number of rows and columns displayed. I didn't have tabs even showing at the time. So by showing tabs then clicking on the open tab, then selecting "Icon", there's "View" settings (columns & rows).

I also discovered a great PC application for creating backdrop pictures called ZLauncher Background Converter <http://www.festus440.happypalm.com/zl_bg.php> which is a big help in sizing images to use as backgrounds.

Now I just need to figure out how to either watermark the background to better show the icons, or else select simpler pictures...

[kiteandcamera]

Busy backgrounds look awful. Use simple backgounds that do not obscure your app icons. I mainly use a plain shite background for this reason.

[wellsjs]

Here's one of my favorites . . .

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/wellsjs/PDA%20Screenshots/BlueFence.jpg

Also looks great with white text. I love the "blue fence" and never get tired of it. I agree with kiteandcamera that busy backgrounds are awful. The Vista "grass" one is about as busy as I can handle.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/wellsjs/PDA%20Screenshots/skinUI2.jpg

Aces, don't forget after doing all the work to get a theme and all the settings the way you want, go to Menu -> Profile Manager and "Save Current Profile." After saving if you move it to the right side, the next time you load that theme from Theme Manager, you will be asked if you want to load the profile too. It will then pull the background and all your settings into place. Cool as grits! :)

I have found a slight bug in that after auto-loading a profile, sometimes you have to load it again to get all the settings (text color) to take effect. Not a big deal.

[I love my mom]

I just copied 3650 files with Zlauncher filemanager.....worked flawlessly! Never so suprised in my life...

BTW, the bugs with the custom tabs are still there, I tried the suggestions to fix it. So I can't use them.

[Aces]

Wellsjs, Thanks for the advice about saving profiles! As usual, I read enough to get my immediate problem solved only. From what little I've learned by experimenting with background pictures, it seems that it's best to have any serious details at the bottom of the screen, where you're less likely to have icons. But since I tend to take pictures framed differently than that, I have to look over my pictures more technically, to see where I can crop to get that effect. I still may resort to turning some shots into watermark form and seeing if that works too.

[wellsjs]

I tried and deleted ZL about five times before I finally sunk my teeth into learning it and working through the configs. Now, as with most apps after working with for a while, it seems completely intuitive. Hang in there! ;)