This thread is getting longer and it is hard to find what it is about sometimes. I decided to re-cap the first post of the thread with the most up-to-date information.
The free utility I offer here has two parts: Status Monitoring and Registry Tweak.
The current version is 2.2.0.0 Beta (packaged date: September 2007).
What's new in this beta build:- On single build for both WM2003 and WM5/WM6;
- Allow customizing monitor update speed
- Allow choosing IE cache/cookie/history directories (RAM/BIS/SD/CF, and any directories you like)
- Change default input method
- Fix an error in button assigning page
- Allow enabling of window animation
Status Monitoring Features- Monitors main battery level;
- Monitors AC power charging;
- Monitors program memory usage;
- Monitors storage memory usage;
- Monitors CPU speed (Intel PXA27x 624MHz CPU only);
- Monitors CPU usage (CPU load);
- Fully configurable on what status to monitor;
- System status indicator is always visible and yet to occupy minimum screen space;
- The width of the system status indicator lines can be set from 1 to 3 pixels;
- The colors of the system status indicator lines are configurable;
- The refrash rate is configurable;
- To be light weight, the monitor runs in a thread within the system service process rather than its own process;
- Small footprint - 11kb in size;
- Compatible with different screen size and orientation.
Registry Tweak
Runs as system Control Panel applet. Located under "Start->Settings->System".
- Status monitoring
- Configures status monitor settings.
- Display options
- Allows enabling of ClearType, including keeping ClearType enabled upon orientation change and within Internet Explorer;
- Chooses between analog clock and digital clock on the system bar;
- Chooses to display date and/or time in the digital clock.
- Allows enabling of window animation
- Memory option
- Remove Odyssey client executable to save 2.2Mb storage memory space.
- Input option
- Chooses the default input method, which is remembered after soft-reset;
- Chooses the number of words to be suggested when entering text, beyond the numbers allowed by system default input settings.
- Internet Explorer options
- Allows Pocket Internet Explorer to be posed as IE 6.0;
- Chooses the number of concurrent connections (downloads);
- Configures temporary file cache size limit;
- Configures cookie files storage limit;
- Configures history storage limit;
- Allows choosing directories for temporary files, cookies, and/or history info on anywhere on the device, including BIS (built-in-storage), SD Card and CF Card.
- Hardware button mapping (correct on Axim x50v/x51v)
- Easily map hardware buttons to screen rotation, Alt-Tab, and screen on/off toggle;
- Alt-Tab and screen toggle features require "Spb Pocket Plus" being installed.
- Software installation option
- Enables the feature that asks the user to choose the destination folder when installing application.
- Product information
Possibly new features in the future- Customize system and shell colors
- Allow reposition status bars
- Monitor wifi signal strength
- Monitor Bluetooth signal strength
Features considered but will not be implemented- Mapping buttons to programs depending on how long the hardware buttons are pressed
Reason: This tool is meant to be small and simple. To have this feature, there needs to be a dedicated service sitting in the background monitoring the button presses and their timing. It deserves to be a new project. While I could start this new project, I found there are a few product out there already doing this. Such as AEBPlus, VITO ButtonMapper, ButtonMax and DoubleLauncher. I am sure they will fit in your need.
Q&As
Q: Why do you write this utility?
A: I don't like the power/memory indicators that sit on the today screen or on the system bars. They look intrusive to me; and they are not visible when in full screen mode when I play game or watch movie. I found a
small utility, which gave me the idea of writing something like that but with more advanced features.
As for the registry tweaker, most of the features are the settings I personally prefer to change every time I setup a new device. So I figured that I'd better write a program rather than playing with the registry editor every time. A few features have been put in upon requests from people who gave me the comments.
Q: What Windows Mobile version does it support?
A: It works fully on WM2003 SE. I haven't tried it on other WM versions, like 2002, 2003, WM5 and WM6, as I don't have those devices. Please give it a try and let me know if it works.
Q: What devices are supported?
A: I have x50v, always run in true VGA mode. So I know it works fine with this setting. It should work on most devices. The CPU speed monitor is only supported on 624MHz Intel PXA270. A couple of features might not work correctly on devices other than x50v/x51v.
Q: Why aren't other CPUs supported for the CPU speed monitor feature?
A: I don't have those devices. After all, I wrote this utility initially for my own convenience. So I have no intention to support devices I don't use.
Q: How to install it?
A: Follow these steps:
- Download DogfoodRegTweak.zip to your desktop PC and unzip it.
- Run DogfoodRegTweakSetup.exe. It is recommended that you have the device connected to ActiveSync (Windows XP and earlier Windows OS), or Windows Mobile Device Center (Windows Vista) before running the setup program.
- Follow the instruction during the installation process on both the PC and the device.
- At the end of the installation, the RegTweak utility is launched on the device. You can change any settings.
- You may need to do soft-reset for some setting changes to take effect.
If you are an expert, and want to skip the desktop part, you know what to do with the cab file.
Q: Where do I find the utility after installation?
A: From "Start->Settings->System->Registry Tweak".
Q: How to uninstall it?
A: On the PC when the device is connected via ActiveSync. In ActiveSync, goto "Tools->Add/Remove Programs", highlight "Dogfood Registry Tweak for Windows Mobile..." and click "Remove".
Or, on the Pocket PC, go to "Start->Settings->System->Remove Programs", highlight "Dogfood Registry Tweak for Windows Mobile..." and tap "Remove".
Q: Are there any known issues?
A: Yes. Other than the CPU support, there are a few things I can think of.
- Button mapping may not all match correctly on devices other than x50v/x51v;
- CPU speed may not be correct on devices other than x50v/x51v;
- Some settings on the screen may be cut off on QVGA resolution, especially when the SIP is up. I have not implemented automatic scrolling. It is a lot more complicated to do than just to think about it. As I'm always on true VGA mode, I have no problem. I could do it when I have the resource.
- On WM5, if you choose both date and time in the digital clock, the text gets cut off. This is WM5 system problem. Not mine.
- Some of the settings may not make sense anymore for WM5 and WM5 devices. Please report back to me.
Q: Why do you offer it free?
A: There is no catch. I've had a lot of fun writing it. It makes me feel better if other people find it useful, too. The more people use it, the merrier. That being said, I have no problem if you would like to donate. ;-) I will really appreciate it if you like my utility and are willing to make a donation via PayPal to
dogfood.ca@gmail.com. It would keep me going to make it better.
Enjoy! And please leave your comments. Your encouragement is what keeps me working on the updates. ;-) But since I don't make money from it, I may not be able to always satisfy your requests.