Use tray as launcher bar

**Forge42** · 05-22-06, 10:27 AM

This may be a dumb question, but, I can't figure out how to do this...

is there a way in WM5 to use the tray as a mini-launcher bar? I'm wasting a lot of screen real estate on just a bluetooth icon right now and I'd like to figure out a way to put it to use. Perhaps just pasting a shortcut into the proper folder or something??

Thanks!

bbousquet · 05-22-06, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Forge42

This may be a dumb question, but, I can't figure out how to do this...

is there a way in WM5 to use the tray as a mini-launcher bar? I'm wasting a lot of screen real estate on just a bluetooth icon right now and I'd like to figure out a way to put it to use. Perhaps just pasting a shortcut into the proper folder or something??

Thanks!

The system tray on WM5 behaves like the system tray on desktop Windows versions. Inserting icons in there requires coding.

-BB

Don't Panic! · 05-22-06, 11:04 AM

I wonder if Philipe Majerus's PHM Powertoys would work with WM5 devices? Tray launcher seems to be what you need.

**Forge42** · 05-22-06, 11:36 AM

I'm trying to use the powertoys program now. It seem... "close". Software runs and appears to behave as expected. If I create a shortcut, an icon appears in the tray. However, the icon is usually either a folder icon or an "unknown" icon instead of the icon I expected (the IE icon). Tapping the icon generates an error message, typically something about the file being unsigned or just a general shortcut/location error.

Any thoughts? Seems like this might work if given the proper syntax.

EDIT: After a little more trial and error, I have it working well. My initial mistake was that I was pointing the traylauncher at shortcut files instead of actual .exe files. Once I fixed that, it works well! It is a bit tedious to set up, but, hey.. it's free! Thanks for the suggestion Don't Panic. :approve:

sar840t2 · 05-23-06, 12:27 PM

You could use iLauncher's shell tray tab feature. Not free, but pretty inexpensive and very well supported.

I haven't actually tried this on WM5, but it definitely works on WM2003SE.

Mike

Olivek · 05-23-06, 01:06 PM

Tray icons with ilancher also works very well with WM5. I have all my favorite program icons there.

**Forge42** · 05-23-06, 01:43 PM

All other things being equal, I like the price of free programs more than the price of not free programs :P

Don't Panic! · 05-23-06, 01:46 PM

I agree. Free programs give you the most bang for your buck! ;)

05-23-06, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Forge42

All other things being equal, I like the price of free programs more than the price of not free programs :P

But things are NOT equal!!!

iLauncher, like all SBSH software, is superb and well worth its very modest cost :approve:

05-23-06, 03:02 PM

Quote:

But things are NOT equal!!!

iLauncher, like all SBSH software, is superb and well worth its very modest cost

Understatement^^^^

L.P. · 05-23-06, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Truth

Understatement^^^^

Absolutley!

**Forge42** · 05-23-06, 11:18 PM

The Powertoys app does exactly what I'm after: allows me to put icons into the sys tray to launch programs. Why would I pay for iLauncher to do the exact same thing? I think SBSH is great myself... I gladly paid for PocketBreeze. But, unless I'm missing something, I wouldn't gain any functionality that I'm after by purchasing iLauncher, understatement or not.

sar840t2 · 05-24-06, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Forge42

The Powertoys app does exactly what I'm after: allows me to put icons into the sys tray to launch programs. Why would I pay for iLauncher to do the exact same thing? I think SBSH is great myself... I gladly paid for PocketBreeze. But, unless I'm missing something, I wouldn't gain any functionality that I'm after by purchasing iLauncher, understatement or not.

Interesting, I might try it myself. Are you sure it works reliably on WM5? (I notice PHM Powertoys is dated April 2004, and WM5 is not always rock-solid when it comes to running older apps).

OBTW I find that I use iLauncher a lot, whereas I go hot and cold on PocketBreeze. To each his own, but that's why we have choices.

Mike

05-24-06, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Forge42

The Powertoys app does exactly what I'm after: allows me to put icons into the sys tray to launch programs. Why would I pay for iLauncher to do the exact same thing? I think SBSH is great myself... I gladly paid for PocketBreeze. But, unless I'm missing something, I wouldn't gain any functionality that I'm after by purchasing iLauncher, understatement or not.

If all you want to do is to put a few Icons on your system tray (and there is only room for a few) then obviously there is no need to use iLauncher.

But iLauncher does a great deal more than that. I have tabs for four groups of Icons on my today screen :-

Programs - 19 Icons
Games - 18 Icons
Utilities - 14 Icons
Players - 6 Icons

All the Icons have their title below them in case I forget which icon is which.

In addition with iIlauncher you can have meters to show the state of the Battery, Memory, SD Card and CF Card. They can be shown either on the today screen or on the system bar or both.

As with all SBSH software you can download a trial version. You will then be able to see all that it can do in much more detail than I can describe here and you cab see if you like it. I think it is GREAT!!! :approve:

**Forge42** · 05-24-06, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by sar840t2

Interesting, I might try it myself. Are you sure it works reliably on WM5? (I notice PHM Powertoys is dated April 2004, and WM5 is not always rock-solid when it comes to running older apps).

OBTW I find that I use iLauncher a lot, whereas I go hot and cold on PocketBreeze. To each his own, but that's why we have choices.

Mike

I've had it (the traylaunch power toy) installed on my x51v w/ WM5 for a couple of days now. Works great and no noticeable problems. Your mileage may vary, of course.

However, if you already have iLauncher, why bother with this little program??