With the right tools, it is very easy to create your own themes. Microsoft Theme Generator is one of the most popular applications to use, perhaps because it is free and user friendly. It allows you to customize any Bitmap or .jpg image for use on your device. Microsoft Theme Generator is designed for PPC2002 but may be used for WM2003 as well. The only function that is not available for WM2003 is the option to Send theme to device when finished; however, this can be easily accomplished by copying the files manually. Other theme generators include ThemeMakerPro or ThemeMakerPro Plus, CETuner, FlashThemes Generator, FunnySnake TKCreater, and pocket Theme Manager. These offer more functions, such as being able to create animated themes and do more powerful image editing. If you need to create Pocket PC themes on a Mac, PocketMac Theme Creator can help you do the job. For some inspiration, check out the Aximsite thread Show off your ppc today screen!

BetterToday is another application that allows you to change your Today theme. It differs from the others in that it does not actually create a .tsk file; rather it allows ordinary images to be displayed on the Today screen. All a user has to do is to upload the desired images to their Pocket PC and Better Today will automatically display it on the Today screen.

Instructions on using Microsoft Theme Generator

The following instructions are for Microsoft Theme Generator v.2. If you are using v.1, please see this tutorial.

Open up Microsoft Theme Generator and click on Create a new theme.



Figure 2: Creating a new theme using Microsoft Theme Generator V2

You will then be asked to select an image to use. Remember that there will be text over this image so choose images that are fairly consistent in brightness. You may also create your own images using a separate image editor. Keep images 240 X 286 pixels for the Today screen.



Figure 3: My original image


After you have made your selection, you also have the option to edit the image when you click on Modify this image. For my mountain theme, I chose to lighten up the image. After you are finished, click on "OK."




Figure 4: Modifying my image by lightening it

At the next window, you will have the option to set up your Start Menu Theme. You may may choose the same image as your theme or any other image you would like. Again, you may create your own using an image editor. Keep the dimensions at 148 X 287pixels. After you have made your selection, click on Next.




Figure 5: Creating Start Menu theme

The next step will allow you to choose colors for text and menu bars. When you are finished, click on Next.

Finally, you will be asked to save your new theme. If you want to have control over image quality and type, click on Advanced Options first. Here is my new theme:




Figure 6: My new theme!

The Today screen normally only displays a single, nonmoving image. If you would like to add more pizzazz, you will need to install other applications. Animated Today (Figure 7) and FlashThemes Player (freeware) are examples of applications that will allow your Axim to display animated Flash themes. FlashMates is a free application with animations that pop up over your themes from time to time. ThemeDream, pocket Theme Manager, ThemeMaster, FunnySnake ThemeKing/FunnySnake ThemeKingPlus (Figure 7), Theme Viewer, Theme Sync, and FlashThemes Plus /FlashThemes Pro will allow you to manage your themes.

Figure 7: Animated Today, ThemeKingPlus

Screensavers

There is no need to use screensavers on your Axim since its LCD screen is not vulnerable to burn-in. However, it is still fun to have something to look at while your Axim sits docked in its cradle. Pocket Candy is a popular freeware application which allows you to run screensavers on your Axim. Pocket Candy comes with six screensavers, and you may download others, including Matrix (Figure 8) and TimePiece. There are other applications which are not meant to run screensavers per se, but allow you to view slideshows on your Today screen. CESlideShow uses part of the Today screen to show your images whereas Dockware (Figure 8) uses the entire screen and features a clock and calendar as well.

Figure 8: Matrix screensaver, Dockware

Screen Capture Tools

One way to share your Today screen with others is to take a screenshot of it. There a number of screen capture utilities, many of which are free.

Magic SS - freeware

Pocket Screen Capture -freeware

CE Capture - freeware

ScreenCap - freeware

Resco Picture Viewer (may cause problems with ActiveSync, see PPczone.net for details; is available on your Dell CD)

Valksoft Screen Capture Utility

Pocket Controller (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync)

Remote Control Display for Pocket PC (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync)

GetPDA Screen (only for use when PDA is connected to PC using ActiveSync) - freeware

Today Screen Plugins

A plugin is a small program that can be "plugged into" another program to add features and functionality. There are many different Today screen plugins available for your Axim, including program switchers/killers, program launchers, system managers (e.g., displays battery or memory use), information managers (e.g., displays weather forecast, stocks, important dates) and ones that actually act as a separate application (e.g., notepad, audio player). Many Today plugins are capable of doing more than one function. Because of the great number of Today screen plugins that are available, only the popular or the more unique ones are listed below. Other places to search for more include DEVBUZZ.COM, Pocket PC for All and of course Google. If all of these plugins are making you dizzy with confusion, there is even a tool called No Plugins Today which allows you to turn off all your Today plugins at once! If you are a developer, a good resource for creating Today plugins is Pocket PC Developer Network.

If you need help in installing the plugins, see the tutorial Installing, Running and Uninstalling Software. Today Plugins are typically installed into Main Memory for faster access and also to ensure that is available even when the memory cards are removed. In order to run the plugin, go to Start --> Settings --> Today --> Items (tab) and then select the items you wish to appear on your Today screen. If you want to remove a plugin, make sure you uncheck the one you want uninstalled and perform a soft reset before attempting to uninstall.

Today Screen Plugins Chart (current as of May 1, 2004)

Figure 9 Owner Info eXtended, Sci-Fi Bar

Figure 10: PpcToday Tools, StocksAndWeatherToday

Figure11: Ulti-Contacts Today, NotesToday

Figure 12: Journal Bar, PIToday

Figure 13: Dashboard, Battery Pack

Figure 14: cLaunch, PPX

Miscellaneous Today Plugins

Quotes of the Day:

TodayQuotes -freeware
Daily Quote Plug-in (Figure 15)
QuickQuotes
Kilmist DailyIdiom
Kilmist DailyProverb
Kilmist DailyQuote
Word of the Day
Quote of the Day
Bible Verses Plugin
Bible Quote of the Day



Figure 15: Daily Quote Plug-in

Other Plugins:

TodayCalc - calculator (Figure 16)
TVA Today - calculates taxes (percentages can be changed), freeware
Euro Today - converts European currencies into Euro and vice versa, freeware
MoonPhase - displays current phase of the moon
ActiveToday - allows Today screen to show websites, gif files
TodayPlayer - audio player that plays MP3, OGG, WAV and Shoutcast (PLS), freeware (Figure 16)
GPS Sentry - displays GPS data and statistics
BizBeam - tap on Today screen to beam files/contacts via IR
IP Dashboard - displays status of wired and wireless networks (Aximsite Review)
CESlideShow - displays slideshow
Game of Life - clone of the AI game "Game of Life", freeware

Figure 16: TodayCalc, TodayPlayer

Customizing Toolbars and Menus

Another way to customize the look and functionality of your Today screen is by changing its toolbars and menus. Applications such as the ones listed below will allow you to add new menu items, reorganize menus, launch functions and applications, and manage your running tasks. Some even let you customize the look of the toolbars, buttons or fonts.

Figure 17: POCKET facelift, SmallMenu