Messages

226

Circle Dock / Re: circledock probleme

« on: January 17, 2010, 08:31 PM »

You caught me in a good mood.... Issue #57.



Mark

227

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock in remote desktop with middle mouse button

« on: January 14, 2010, 10:40 AM »

Prior to Version 1, mouse handling was accomplished by two modules, one handling mouse-clicks and the other, mouse movement. This was a bit unsatisfactory as one of the modules was in unmanaged (C++) code. All mouse handling is now done by a single module.

As we have discovered that several less than honest individuals have downloaded the source code to Circle Dock, made some very minor changes and are promoting their version of the program as their original work (one is commercial), we have made the hard decision not to release the source code for the time being. If you'd care to send me the code to the changes you have had to make - as a Private Message - I'll attend to including them and give you the proper credit for your submission.


Mark

228

Circle Dock / Re: Problems with shortcuts to system files

« on: January 14, 2010, 03:06 AM »

I'd better ask my wife, then, she generally knows these things long before me!

229

CircleDock Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials / Re: Quick Launch ~~XP to Windows 7 with CD and Stacks (Tips & Tricks) Update 01/11

« on: January 14, 2010, 02:26 AM »

The only circumstance that Circle Dock will optionally and automatically remove a Dock Item is if the target file or folder can not be located when a given level is rendered. In the case of StackFolders, it doesn't matter (to Circle Dock) if the folder to be opened can not be accessed, only that it can locate "StandaloneStack.exe".

However, I can now reproduce your findings. That is the good news. The bad news (and there always is bad news) is that this problem only affects 64-bit versions of Vista and Windows 7. The 32-bit versions of these two operating systems is completely unaffected. Now I guess you are automatically loading Circle Dock with Windows, right? Try disabling "Show Circle Dock on load" (General -> Other). That may help as it will prevent Circle Dock from rendering the initial level at a time when the OS is still in the process of becoming stable.

If you're going to have Stack Folders on your dock, then you really do need to set Circle Dock's Z-Order to "Normal" otherwise when the Stack Folder is displayed, part of it will become obscured by Circle Dock. Also, with StandaloneStack v2, you need to enable the option "Don't close on focus lost" (currently that option is in SS2 but will be in CD) or accessing the stack items will be difficult (a euphemism!).




Mark

230

Circle Dock / Re: Problems with shortcuts to system files

« on: January 14, 2010, 02:11 AM »

Watch us close as apparently Markham ... seems to have some big plans

-sgtevmckay (January 13, 2010, 08:50 AM)

I do?   

231

Circle Dock / Re: Animated Icons with Circle Dock

« on: January 14, 2010, 01:47 AM »

First off I'd like to admit that I'm a newb when it comes to "docks". I stumbled upon Circle Dock, downloaded the software, and fell in love with it instantly. While in search for skins, I came across a few sweet looking animated icons. My understanding is that a docklet must be used in order for the animated icons to actually work. Is this correct? In reading a few forum posts, Circle Dock is still in it's infancy stages, docklets are soon to follow. I would love to add animated icons to my new favorite program!!!

-mukyduck (January 13, 2010, 09:34 PM)

I'll add my welcome to Circle Dock and this Forum!

Circle Dock isn't really in its infancy but suffers from being abandoned for a year until I became involved 3 - 4 months ago. Had the original developer not had to leave this and his other projects, I'm quite sure it would have progressed faster and further than it has thus far.

Unfortunately animated images will require a docklet. The simplest animated image format is a GIF file with multiple frames. However, GIF files don't support the alpha channel and thus their opacity/transparency can not be modified so can't be used in Circle Dock. PNG files do have an alpha channel but don't support multiple frames so can't be animated.

As the Sarge has said, I will be working on supporting Docklets for a future version; a task, I might add, that I'm not especially relishing as it means a substantial amount of tried and tested code will have to be rewritten, but that's my problem, not yours!


Mark

232

CircleDock Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials / Re: Quick Launch ~~XP to Windows 7 with CD and Stacks (Tips & Tricks) Update 01/11

« on: January 13, 2010, 03:15 AM »

Sarge,

I'm a tad surprised by your additional notes: I've done some fairly extensive testing and I'm unable to reproduce the effect you mention. However, what IS true with the version of StandaloneStack included with Circle Dock, is that you must enable "Hide Dock After Opening Files and Folders" otherwise you can not position the mouse onto the stack's Fan or Grid.

The next semi-major release fully integrates version 2 of the Stacks modules and the above caveat will no longer apply. Indeed the "Hide Dock after Opening ..." will be a default setting which can be overidden on a Dock Item basis -- necessary for Stacks and, in future, Docklets.



Mark

233

Circle Dock / Re: error software "Circle dock" please, help me...

« on: January 12, 2010, 09:33 PM »

You appear to be using the Alpha 8 version, so you will need to unzip all the INI files from the zip file you downloaded from the Circle Dock website and copy those files to "C:\Program Files\CircleDock0.9.2Alpha8.2\System\Settings" folder.

Version 1.x does not produce this error message as things are handled differently.


Mark

234

CircleDock Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials / Re: Quick Launch ~~XP to Windows 7 with CD and Stacks (Tips & Tricks)

« on: January 10, 2010, 11:38 PM »

I have them, thanks!


Mark

235

CircleDock Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials / Re: Quick Launch ~~XP to Windows 7 with CD and Stacks (Tips & Tricks)

« on: January 10, 2010, 03:18 PM »

Nice one, Sarge!

I'll include this and your future Tips'n'Tricks in the help system so they will be preserved for future users as well as remind our current users  .



Mark

236

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock don't work on windows 7?

« on: January 09, 2010, 08:49 PM »

Sarge,

I will answer you in a PM


Mark

237

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock don't work on windows 7?

« on: January 07, 2010, 05:55 PM »

As you appear to be using a version of Circle Dock that did not originate from us, there is little we can do to support you further with that program.

However, if you download Circle Dock from this Forum you will find that it does support Windows 7 and will run quite happily on that platform.


Mark

238

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock: The Past, The Present and The Future

« on: January 07, 2010, 12:38 AM »

Request on forum out here:
http://www.aqua-soft.org/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=51400&view=findpost&p=533861

-sgtevmckay (January 06, 2010, 01:19 PM)

Either I am blind or your post has gone missing!

Also Have made some massive changes to the wikidot yesterday.
If you get an opportunity...Could I bug you to go over the change log at the wikidot site and see if I missed an major do-hickeys???
Also double check and see if I have missed anything.....There will be more changes when I get some current images, and do some more refining to the wikidot.
I am working on a CSS customization now, but could take some time.

The site is looking great! Many thanks!

The only (semi-serious) mistake I found was this:

How can I delete an icon/link that is shown on Circle Dock?

There are two ways: You can either do it by right clicking and selecting "Remove" or you can drag the item over to the centre of the dock and drop it there.

There are. in fact, three ways to delete a dock item - the third being to drag it off the background and drop it somewhere away from the Dock. 


Mark

239

Circle Dock / Re: Core Software Suggestion

« on: January 07, 2010, 12:09 AM »

The Recycle Bin
This currently shows Just the Icon of and "Empty Bin"
Would it be possible to add the ability to show when the The Recycling Bin is "Full"???
Typically this requires 2 different Icons
Of course there is also teh custom Icon situation to consider as well.
May need to wait till we can add addons to obtain this functionality (???)
There are OD and RD add ons that do this, but am unaware if an addon is required.

-sgtevmckay (January 06, 2010, 07:32 PM)

A Recycle Bin is really outside the scope of Circle Dock's core functionality, however useful it may be. There are several Docklets to choose from that perform this function and I consider it better to support extras such as Recycle Bins, clocks, weather info etc., as docklets. There are good technical reasons for saying this!

More Power Options
Currently The following is listed:
Log Off
Restart Computer

Can we add to this list?
Sleep
Hibernate
Switch User
Power off monitor
Standby
Lock Down

Actually there's only one of those missing and that's "Hibernate" and I can certainly add that one (if I can find a suitable image  ). The others you mentioned maybe implemented by third-party applications but don't appear to be in core Windows (and remember, we're supporting everything from XP onwards).

Libraries
A lot is not known or understood about these, and they are only applicable to Windows 7
Is there a way to add these???

Yes there is and I can add it. However, as you rightly state, "Libraries" are only available in Windows 7 (and probably successive operating systems too) so handling it for non-Windows 7 users will be messy.

NirCmd as a third party Solution/Add On (Your Thoughts?)
I have been toying with the concept of adding a forum post of NirCmd as a Third party add on.
This can be utilized to fill in gaps, that CD should not be concerned about directly.
Things such as:
CD Drawer Open close
Command line strings (By user desire)
Volume Up and Down
And so much little petty things that should not be included to the core software.
It is small, portable (by choice) and non-volatile (as long as it is not installed to the windows directory)
And not to mention how easy it would be for the average user to create small end commands 
There are some draw back...But I can better explain in a full post.
If it flies...I would add to the wikidot site as well
I am already using it 

I don't know this program at all, so can't comment about its suitability for integrating with Circle Dock.



Mark

240

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock: The Past, The Present and The Future

« on: January 06, 2010, 12:56 PM »

Oh yeah, almost forgot. StandaloneStack v1 had a command line option which prevent it from occupying a space on the Taskbar ("/notaskbar") but that option is missing in v2.x. I'd like it back!


Mark

241

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock: The Past, The Present and The Future

« on: January 06, 2010, 12:53 PM »

It's not Matonga but the Chris'nSoft (StandaloneStack) guy. He's built-on Matonga's library and considerably enhanced the features and it's those features I want CD to capitalise on. By itself, Matonga's library offers us no more than what's in version 1 of StandaloneStack which CD already supports (kind of).

Good job on the Wikidot site!  Well done and thanks!


Mark

242

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock: The Past, The Present and The Future

« on: January 06, 2010, 09:44 AM »

Sarge,

I've taken a close look at Standalone-Stack-2 and I believe you can reasonably suppose that I'm adding support for this as a replacement for the earlier version.

However, there is a problem in that it's using the INI file format which does not support Unicode at all (in spite of what Microsoft might say on the subject!) and that format only supports files less than 64KB in size (or about 30 stack definitions). What I'd like him to do is support XML files and in particular the simple XML implementation CD uses. If he's agreeable, I can let him have a DLL which he can call (using its COM interface) which will do all the work for him!

From Circle Dock's perspective, Unicode support is a must-have, so that the program appeals to as wide an audience as possible.

The other problem is that its settings file is created and maintained in its own folder and this will cause UAC problems if that folder is on the System drive - but that one I can work around.

Let me know!


Mark

243

Circle Dock / Re: How To

« on: January 06, 2010, 09:21 AM »

There is also another problem that I run in with the Folder Stack.  Everytime I uninstall and reinstall CD I can't make different stacks.  It still maintains the settings of one stack and I can't change it.  Is there some hidden file that is not being deleted on uninstall?  I tried deleting the config file but that didn't work...

-Haani_Echad (January 06, 2010, 12:54 AM)

The file you seek is "settings.ini" and you will find it in Circle Dock's ".\System\Miscellaneous" folder. Since that file is not installed by the CD installer, it won't be automatically-deleted as it is deemed to be a user data file and these should not be removed by an uninstaller.

You can delete this file without any ill-effect -- except that you will, of course, lose any Stacks that you have defined but as that's what you want, it's not a problem.

The whole issue of Stack Folders is being addressed and, in future, all settings for Stacks will be made inside Circle Dock:

• The Dock Properties dialog will contain several new pages to cover all the default settings for Stacks
• There will be a new "Add Stack" dialog wherein you can define the properties for individual Stacks.
• Stack items will be editable - in the same way as normal Dock Items - and they will be individually deletable

However, there is currently a problem with Stacks in general and that is that the data format used for the Stacks' "engine" is the INI file format and this leads to two disadvantages:

• INI files can not exceed 64k in size. This will be reached if around 20 or so Stacks are defined.
• The INI file format is pure ASCII, Unicode characters are not supported even though Microsofts' developer information indicates otherwise. This means that all entries within the INI files must use the characters "A..Z,a..z,0..9" (plus punctuation, braces and brackets), no accented characters and no glyphs (as in Chinese, Arabic and Japanese) so effectively very limited foreign language support.
  

These two disadvantages render the current implementation to be useful only to users whose native language is either English or whose language does not use any Unicode characters such as Filipino, Irish (Gaellic) or Welsh. I understand the Sarge is in touch with the developer and I will ask him to see what can be done to address these issues.


Mark

244

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock: The Past, The Present and The Future

« on: January 05, 2010, 09:05 AM »

Sarge,

Circle Dock is still using Stacks 1 but I may change that at a future date. I'd really like to use it as a docklet hence I've been holding-off supporting Stacks 2.


Mark

245

Circle Dock / Re: a problem help.....

« on: January 04, 2010, 12:11 AM »

my extra vision is 0.92alpha8.2 ,i want to updata to 1.0 but i don't want to set my files again.
so can i just modify the file 'DockItemData and Config' to achieve the goal ? and how?
thanks!

-jc5793333 (January 03, 2010, 03:55 AM)

Simply install the new version into the same folder as your current version of Circle Dock. When it starts up, the new version will use your existing settings.



Mark

246

Circle Dock / Re: some suggestions about "Highlight the dockitem"

« on: January 03, 2010, 01:21 PM »

That will be included in the next release.


Mark

247

Circle Dock / Re: About Short Cut in New release ver 1.0.2.3

« on: January 03, 2010, 12:34 PM »

Good catch!

Interesting one that: originally I was using CLSIDs for a number of the special items but then switched "My Computer" to use a Net Framework method call. It seems that method call is at fault as it returns an empty string.

I've fixed it - by reverting to CLSIDs - for the next release.


Mark

248

Circle Dock / Re: Version 1.0 is now released and available for download

« on: January 02, 2010, 11:04 PM »

I don't find about translation (I use english to understand each other) but I had not found the option in menu but now I find it. When you click "item setting" it opens a new menu with other option, can you add an option to chose if "item setting" opens a new menu or the new menu is merged directly in main one?

-Rigel (January 02, 2010, 08:42 AM)

To do that, simply edit the item using "Item Settings"  .

I had tried so: With Setting dialog opened I change option and try to move mouse wheel and the items jump. I try all the option.

I'm not seeing that behaviour but I'll keep looking.

Where can i download the version 1.0.2.2? I download again CD and the dll 1.0.2.2 but there'are the same errors.

All downloads have the same link, so simply use the same one as you did to download earlier versions!



Mark

249

Circle Dock / Re: can't create short cut with Version 1.0.2.2

« on: January 02, 2010, 10:56 PM »

This issue has, I can assure you, been cleared. However you can re-download the setup program which will install Refresh 3 (1.0.2.3) which includes an enhancement (Dock Item Labels now have opacity/transparency).



Mark

250

Circle Dock / Re: I can't create short cut with latest version

« on: January 01, 2010, 07:22 PM »

This has been rectified in Version 1.0.2.2 which is available for download.


Mark