ZLauncher 5.00 B3 Published

[tanker_bob]

New Features:
=================
1) Introduced Plugin System. Plugins can be placed on Plugin Panel, Panel Tab or Top/Bottom bar.
3rd-party developers can easily create their own ZL plugins to expand the functionalities of ZL.
* SDK will be published later.

2) Enhanced the Top/Bottom bar. Now the Top/Bottom bar is more customizable and functional.

3) Added ability to open an MMPlayer-supported media file via MMPlayer.
* This feature requires MMPlayer 0.2.13 or higher version.

4) Added an option to select the default music player for playing MP3.

5) Added a menu command to delete all application shortcuts.

6) Dose not display "Extension" in QLA if no item added in the Extension list.

7) Added an option to disable displaying app's icon in QLA.

Beta expires October 15. Find it here (http://www.zztechs.com/en/zlauncher/beta.htm).

[wellsjs]

Got it! Very stable for those leary of betas! We loyal ZL fans keep saying "it can't get any better than this," but ZZTechs keeps blowing our minds with what they can accomplish! :eek:

[Bionic Antboy]

I gotta say that I'm loving the new ZL 5 beta!

I've been using ZLauncher since the 3.2ish days, and in fact hadn't even upgraded to 4.xxx until last week, when I cleaned out my system. The new 5 is AWESOME and runs flawlessly on my UX50.

I can't wait to see what plugins come out.

[froesei]

has now implemented the ability to display the top bar above the today plugin, and the bottom bar below it. I believe that was a request, and as usual it was implemented.

[froesei]

Anyone know if this is a free upgrade for registered users?

[th1nm1nt]

New features sound awesome...still playing with beta 2. Will update when I get home. Thanks to all the guys that put this together...you make my life easier!

[IsLNdbOi]

I wonder if ZZTechs could improve the QuickLaunch Anywhere feature. I would like to be able to add sub-menus (with custom labels) like in Hi-Launcher and be able to launch any application (including DA's) from these sub-menus.

[Eddy]

Couldn't resist downloading ZLauncher5, so guess I've found a reason to put away with AppShelf for now. & play with another new application. :D

[COmedic04]

Well, I finally did it: I made ZL the default launcher and removed Facer from my TH55. I'll miss some of its simplicity, but now that ZL has developed the plugin system with a Today screen, it's just taking up RAM! :-) Yay, ZLauncher! :D

Ryan

[wellsjs]

Anyone know if this is a free upgrade for registered users?ALWAYS! ;)

[volcanopele]

Beta 3 is working great on my NX80V. No crashes so far this beta period. Still looking for end times to be added as an option to the today plugin but I presume they have bigger fish to fry. I also note that you can now display the due date for todos in the Today plugin, which seems to be the only change (oh and the ability to toggle display of priority number and category) that I can find in that plugin.

Regarding whether this is a free upgrade or not, I haven't seen any evidence that it isn't. Every major version upgrade has been free thus far with ZLauncher, and while a developer can always change that policy, I haven't seen anything that this has been done with version 5. The only thing resembling an upgrade fee with ZLauncher has been having to pay for some ZL skins, but with so many free skins for HazarD, darhorn, and others, this can be avoided if desired.

[Tixx]

The made some additions to the Today Plugin under the Todo Setup which is nice.:)

EDIT: Looks like you already mentioned that VP:)

[*YellowRose*]

I've got some questions for you guys . . . . my 'plugin tab' seems to be 'stuck' on Monday's date. It doesn't stay current. Anybody encountered this before, or am I special? :D I've considered deleting my prefs, but I reaaaaaaaaaaally don't want to do this . . . oh, and I did check, the date is correct everywhere else, 'prefs' is correct, DateBk5 opens to the correct date . . . as does A5, etc.

Second, if you're using the pop up on the bottom, and you're using the 'Today' plugin and the 'Clock' plug in . . . and the time is four digits, say 12:43 . . . does the 'pm' run off the page or get clipped in any way?

I'm wondering if it's a Fonts4OS5 issue or what . . .

[Tixx]

I've got some questions for you guys . . . . my 'plugin tab' seems to be 'stuck' on Monday's date. It doesn't stay current. Anybody encountered this before, or am I special? :D I've considered deleting my prefs, but I reaaaaaaaaaaally don't want to do this . . . oh, and I did check, the date is correct everywhere else, 'prefs' is correct, DateBk5 opens to the correct date . . . as does A5, etc.

Second, if you're using the pop up on the bottom, and you're using the 'Today' plugin and the 'Clock' plug in . . . and the time is four digits, say 12:43 . . . does the 'pm' run off the page or get clipped in any way?

I'm wondering if it's a Fonts4OS5 issue or what . . .

I look at what I think is the largest and Bookman cut some of the first number and part of the m in pm. So it looks like it is the Font4os5 issue.:)

[squeff]

I've got some questions for you guys . . . . my 'plugin tab' seems to be 'stuck' on Monday's date. It doesn't stay current. Anybody encountered this before, or am I special? :D I've considered deleting my prefs, but I reaaaaaaaaaaally don't want to do this . . . oh, and I did check, the date is correct everywhere else, 'prefs' is correct, DateBk5 opens to the correct date . . . as does A5, etc.

Second, if you're using the pop up on the bottom, and you're using the 'Today' plugin and the 'Clock' plug in . . . and the time is four digits, say 12:43 . . . does the 'pm' run off the page or get clipped in any way?

I'm wondering if it's a Fonts4OS5 issue or what . . .

The reason that the Today Plug-In is stuck is likely because the prefs are set to display that. Try this: Options/ZL Prefs/Plugin/Pref/DataBook Setup/Show. The drop-down allows "Today" (what I think you want), Date (always show a specific date), Day of Week, and Next. Personally, I can see little use for "Date" unless you always want to lock on your favorite day. As for "day of week," I really don't see the use in that. "Next" seems less useful than "Today."

[Tixx]

I've got some questions for you guys . . . . my 'plugin tab' seems to be 'stuck' on Monday's date. It doesn't stay current. Anybody encountered this before, or am I special? :D I've considered deleting my prefs, but I reaaaaaaaaaaally don't want to do this . . . oh, and I did check, the date is correct everywhere else, 'prefs' is correct, DateBk5 opens to the correct date . . . as does A5, etc.

Second, if you're using the pop up on the bottom, and you're using the 'Today' plugin and the 'Clock' plug in . . . and the time is four digits, say 12:43 . . . does the 'pm' run off the page or get clipped in any way?

I'm wondering if it's a Fonts4OS5 issue or what . . .

What are your settings for the Today Plugin under Datebook and Todo? You should have Datebook set to Show:Today and Possibly use Show Only Due Items under Todo.

[volcanopele]

I've got some questions for you guys . . . . my 'plugin tab' seems to be 'stuck' on Monday's date. It doesn't stay current. Anybody encountered this before, or am I special? :D I've considered deleting my prefs, but I reaaaaaaaaaaally don't want to do this . . . oh, and I did check, the date is correct everywhere else, 'prefs' is correct, DateBk5 opens to the correct date . . . as does A5, etc.

Second, if you're using the pop up on the bottom, and you're using the 'Today' plugin and the 'Clock' plug in . . . and the time is four digits, say 12:43 . . . does the 'pm' run off the page or get clipped in any way?

I'm wondering if it's a Fonts4OS5 issue or what . . .
I think I have your first issue figured out. Go to the Plugin Tab Preferences, go to the plugin tab, then on the Today plugin in the list, and finally pref. Go into the Setup screen for the Datebook. In the show: drop down menu, you likely have Day of week and Monday highlighted. To get today, just select Today in the Show: drop down menu. Regardless, this should fix the problem. If not, then perhaps you should report this to ZZTechs.

hmm, one issue I just found while playing around with settings is that my plugin preferences are lost if I decided not to have the plugin tab then reimpliment it. :eek:

[Tixx]

hmm, one issue I just found while playing around with settings is that my plugin preferences are lost if I decided not to have the plugin tab then reimpliment it. :eek:


That does suck. Beta 4? :D

[COmedic04]

Hmm, well, I just downloaded Beta3, and am having my first problem. When I select a different tab, my Today plugin pops up, even though I have it hidden. Any ideas? I think I'll probably just go back to Beta 2 until they come out with a more stable beta, or the final public release.

[volcanopele]

Hmm, well, I just downloaded Beta3, and am having my first problem. When I select a different tab, my Today plugin pops up, even though I have it hidden. Any ideas? I think I'll probably just go back to Beta 2 until they come out with a more stable beta, or the final public release.
don't forget to send ZZTechs an email regarding the issue so it will get fixed.

[COmedic04]

Yup, i will, unfortunately the ZZTech people are out of the office today for Chinese National Day! :rolleyes: hehe

[volcanopele]

Yup, i will, unfortunately the ZZTech people are out of the office today for Chinese National Day! :rolleyes: hehe
I thought that was Friday?

Wait, wasn't this the holiday that caused ZZTechs to be incommunicado for two weeks last year? Or am I thinking of something else entirely?

[COmedic04]

If I just hotsync ZL5 beta 2, will it automatically overwrite Beta 3? Or do I have to delete ZLauncher and re-install Beta 2 (*gulp* :eek: )?

[COmedic04]

I thought that was Friday?

Wait, wasn't this the holiday that caused ZZTechs to be incommunicado for two weeks last year? Or am I thinking of something else entirely?


Uh oh, that would suck! Right as they are on the brink of releasing the best launcher yet!!!! NO!!! :eek: hehe
On their website, it says that they will be closed today, 9/29 (of course, their 9/29 is yesterday for those of us in the western hemisphere). And I wouldn't mistake the date, because 9/29 is also my anniversary!! :)

[darhorn]

Hmm, well, I just downloaded Beta3, and am having my first problem. When I select a different tab, my Today plugin pops up, even though I have it hidden. Any ideas? I think I'll probably just go back to Beta 2 until they come out with a more stable beta, or the final public release.

Actually from what I can see they made it so that the plugin settings are tab based... so you have to hide the plugin on each tab... easier when you have the show plugin button showing...

[COmedic04]

Hmm, that's an interesting idea...but I just reverted back to Beta 2 with all the same settings, and the problem went away. Also, I do have the "show plugin panel" button on my bottom toolbar, and that's what I usually use to show tomorrow's appointments, while the tabbed form of the today plugin shows today and todo.

[volcanopele]

If I just hotsync ZL5 beta 2, will it automatically overwrite Beta 3? Or do I have to delete ZLauncher and re-install Beta 2 (*gulp* :eek: )?
hmm, haven't done downgrading much but as long as you also hotsync the old today plugin from beta2 then you should be fine.

[volcanopele]

Uh oh, that would suck! Right as they are on the brink of releasing the best launcher yet!!!! NO!!! :eek: hehe
On their website, it says that they will be closed today, 9/29 (of course, their 9/29 is yesterday for those of us in the western hemisphere). And I wouldn't mistake the date, because 9/29 is also my anniversary!! :)
From their website:

Vacation of Chinese national day
From 1st October to 7th October is vacation of Chinese national day. Therefore, Guangzhou Zhangzhe Technology CO, LTD (ZZTECHS) will be in holiday in this period.
We hope you will understand if we were delay to reply your letter.
Thank you very much!
Guangzhou Zhangzhe Technology CO, LTD
29th September 2004


So it's not today, nor will it be two weeks like I seem to remember from last year. However, if any one has any pressing issues, now might be a good time to send your emails before they go on vacation.

[COmedic04]

Oops, my mistake, I focused in on the 9/29 and didn't see the part about Oct. 1-7!! Well, my bugs have been sent.

[mrdeucie]

Actually from what I can see they made it so that the plugin settings are tab based... so you have to hide the plugin on each tab... easier when you have the show plugin button showing...

I actually like the fact that it's tab based. Now you can have it open in one tab and closed in the next.

The only problem I'm having is that it seems that the plugin panel is taking up too much space when it is at topmost. There is a huge space between the plugin panel and the tabs.

[*YellowRose*]

I think I have your first issue figured out. Go to the Plugin Tab Preferences, go to the plugin tab, then on the Today plugin in the list, and finally pref. Go into the Setup screen for the Datebook. In the show: drop down menu, you likely have Day of week and Monday highlighted. To get today, just select Today in the Show: drop down menu. Regardless, this should fix the problem. If not, then perhaps you should report this to ZZTechs.*smacks forehead*You're my hero! That did it!

[*YellowRose*]

Actually from what I can see they made it so that the plugin settings are tab based... so you have to hide the plugin on each tab... easier when you have the show plugin button showing...I had to go through each tab & minimize it as well . . . :confused:

[gnat231]

I downloaded and Installed the ZL5 Beta 3 version, Everything was working fine until I did a soft reset using Soft Reset app. When it was rebooting I could only get a blank white screen with a status bar at the bottom. None of the buttoms would let me go any further so I had to hard reset and restore my backup. Is there something Im doing wrong because this has happend to me when I tried to intsall the updated 4.30 version prior to this. I am still using version 4.202 because it is the only one that fully works on my Clie meaning survives a soft reset. Can someone help me with this problem if they have experienced it or just could assist me? Do I need to delete the old version first, only I don't want to lose my settings or have to redo them.

[volcanopele]

I downloaded and Installed the ZL5 Beta 3 version, Everything was working fine until I did a soft reset using Soft Reset app. When it was rebooting I could only get a blank white screen with a status bar at the bottom. None of the buttoms would let me go any further so I had to hard reset and restore my backup. Is there something Im doing wrong because this has happend to me when I tried to intsall the updated 4.30 version prior to this. I am still using version 4.202 because it is the only one that fully works on my Clie meaning survives a soft reset. Can someone help me with this problem if they have experienced it or just could assist me? Do I need to delete the old version first, only I don't want to lose my settings or have to redo them.
Sounds to me like you might have another program conflicting with ZLauncher on start-up after a reset. Have you tried a warm reset?

[gnat231]

How do I perform a warm reset? And How Can I find out what program is conflicting with ZLauncher on start-up after reset? If this is so why does version 4.202 work for me with no problems? Any other suggestions

[mrdeucie]

I soft resetted this afternoon after the upgrade to Beta 3 and my Clie came back on with no problems. Maybe the Beta 3 is conflicting with one of your apps.

[tanker_bob]

I sent the link for this discussion to ZZTechs tonight, so behave. :)

[DanT]

I have no problem to paste the 5B3 over 5B2.

The option to not display "Extension" in QLA if no item added in the Extension list is a nice addition. I usually use the botton bar for these functions anyway. So now I can add 1 more app on QLA.

[wellsjs]

B3.1 arrived in my email this AM! :)

[COmedic04]

Sweet, wellsjs! Any major (or minor) differences? And, darhorn, my apologies, I found the button to set the preference on whether or not the plugin panel displays on different tabs. Thanks for the help! D@mn, I love this...I'm ecstatic to finally stop running two launchers because I couldn't decide between them! But with this plugin system, ZL definitely clinches it! :D

[Perk]

Since Tanker Bob sent this link to zzTechs I'd like to propose a product improvement. This isn't a beta bug.

The info button for a memory card is not back dropped like the battery and internal memory info displays are. If you use the transparent feature for your theme, which I always do, it's difficult to see the amount of memory left on your card. While you can change the text color, it isn't very bold and is still difficult to see. A backdrop of a memory card would sure help the issue for those of us that like the transparent option.

Thank you for all your great work zzTech! :)

[DanT]

To ZLauncher experts:

When I delete an app using ZL 5.3.1B, would it be as clean as what Unistall Manager?

Uninstall Manager would delete the following:
1. The Application
2. Its Monitored Files
3. Its Monitored Preferences
4. Its Associated Files
5. Its Associated Preferences

Would Zlauncher do the same or should I use Uninstall Manager instead to insure that there is no orphan files left over?

TIA

[squeff]

DanT, zLauncher does NOT do as good a job as Uninstall Manager. It only deletes related files/prefs if they are keyed correctly. All too often, they are not. So, UIM is needed if you really want to make sure you've got everything.

[wellsjs]

Uninstall Manager integrates with ZL's trash bin. When I want to delete an application (I have Uninstall Manager loaded), I tap/hold on the application icon, choose "trash bin," select "All" and "Delete," Uninstall Manager is automatically launched if there are associated entries in the "preferences" file. From there, those can be deleted. If the app has no preferences entries, ZL trash bin doesn't bother UM! ;)

[DanT]

Thanks you two. Yea, I decided to buy the NeatFreak package (UIM & CleanUp). I put a check on the "Work in Background" (WIB) under UIM settings. The manual says that with WIB enabled, I can just delete the apps with ZLauncher and UIM will automatically take care the rest.

[wellsjs]

Spend that money, honey! :D

Don't go getting any ideas about the "honey" part . . . just had to complete the saying! :eek:

[DanT]

OK :rolleyes:

While we are in this subject. I now got a few orphans in saved preferences that Cleanup don't know what they are. The Creator IDs are:
SeWi, DAVC, MNCl, PktB, PktC, JpSw, ZLtd.

You guys know any of those for?

[wellsjs]

Two things you can do:

1) Use ZL file manager and sort on Creator - look for the "parent" app.

2) Perform a backup (just in case) - delete them with "backup" checked (double protection) and see if anything gets fouled up!

[Chukar]

OK :rolleyes:The Creator IDs are:
SeWi, DAVC, MNCl, PktB, PktC, JpSw, ZLtd.

You guys know any of those for?
SeWi is listed as "confidential" in the database.
DAVC is Volume DA
PktB and PktC are part of a PalmPilot-based C compiler
JpSw is Jpeg Show

[tanker_bob]

Thanks you two. Yea, I decided to buy the NeatFreak package (UIM & CleanUp). I put a check on the "Work in Background" (WIB) under UIM settings. The manual says that with WIB enabled, I can just delete the apps with ZLauncher and UIM will automatically take care the rest.
Excellent choice! I won't leave home without them.

BTW, look at my review at PDABuyersGuide (http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/software/Palm_uninstallers.htm) for two links that can help you learn the owner of obscure creator IDs.

[Tixx]

Excellent choice! I won't leave home without them.

BTW, look at my review at PDABuyersGuide (http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/software/Palm_uninstallers.htm) for two links that can help you learn the owner of obscure creator IDs.


Hey Tanker_Bob.:) One link you need a password, the other is now incorrect. :(

[DanT]

SeWi is listed as "confidential" in the database.
DAVC is Volume DA
PktB and PktC are part of a PalmPilot-based C compiler
JpSw is Jpeg Show

Wow, you found most of them. Thanks alot Chukar. :)

[tanker_bob]

Hey Tanker_Bob.:) One link you need a password, the other is now incorrect. :(
Hi Tixx :)

The one is the PalmSource developer's area. The other was a really nice open list. Bummer. I'll see if I can find out where it's gone...

[DanT]

Excellent choice! I won't leave home without them.

BTW, look at my review at PDABuyersGuide (http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/software/Palm_uninstallers.htm) for two links that can help you learn the owner of obscure creator IDs.

Thanks for the links. Excellent review. Glad to know that I made the right purchase.

[hamsammich]

Yeah, I was stoked to find a route to get those creator ID's, but neither link works now (I have the user login info for the Dev center, but the link is dead).
:(
I'm always hesitant to delete items for which I'm not sure what their creator ID's are linked to. Please let us know if you find a newer database!
Thanks, though!
:)

[tanker_bob]

Yeah, I was stoked to find a route to get those creator ID's, but neither link works now (I have the user login info for the Dev center, but the link is dead).
:(
I'm always hesitant to delete items for which I'm not sure what their creator ID's are linked to. Please let us know if you find a newer database!
Thanks, though!
:)
I can't find a good open Creator ID list at the moment. PalmSource may have shut them down. The new Palm OS Developer address is http://spp.palmos.com/iws/creator/searchCreatorID.jsp . I just rechecked it.

[DanT]

Hey that link works! :D

Thanks tanker_bob. Now I wish I could find out where that "SeWi" is coming from. The link only says "Confidential".

[tanker_bob]

Have you done an owner search in Cleanup?

[DanT]

Yes. It finds nothing. :(

[DanT]

Found the parent of "SeWi". :D

They are from WirelessMgr and WirelessMgr_enUS, which are WiFi files. Cleanup search couldn't find them. ZLauncher file manager couldn't display the Creator ID under alphabetical order, so they are buried under tons of files. FileZ came to my rescue. Especially with the new FileZ's 320x480 screen, I can scan the list faster than the old days of 320x320 screen. ;)