02/12/2009
Topic:
Very Good Work
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello pseudoz.
I'm very happy when new users test SyMenu and find that it is a great program... maybe it means that I am a great programmer 
Ok let's switch in serious mode now.
Your suggestions are interesting and I'll evaluate them for next release.
But I need some clarification before.
- What is Ko/Mo/Go????????
- SyMenu can pop up with a click on task icon and with a customizable shortcut keys (ALT+F1 by default). I'll try to implement your suggestion only to test it but I think that it could become too much invasive.
I'm already using an application that reacts when you are in proximity of the screen edges and it is very difficult to control it because mouse pointer tends to reach these areas very often (when you use scrollbars and close button in maximized windows, when you hover on Windows date/time or on Start button, when you interact with first tab of tabbed programs and so on).
- I'll surely add programs' home webpage. Great idea.
- SyMenu doesn't have a roadmap because it's a free time project. Having a roadmap means that certain tasks have to be accomplished in certain time.
I only have a todo list
Anyway I have a very ambitious project related to SyMenu that is a framework that aid programmers to create SyMenu plugin. But it is a very large project and I'm alone.
If you or other C# programmers (you are a C# programmer aren't you?) want to help with this side project, you are welcome. Contact me through contact form.
- If someone join SyMenu team as programmer I'll surely open framework source code through SVN.
- Regarding translations please contact me first.
Gianluca |
21/12/2009
Topic:
Suggestions
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello to all.
Maybe you've already seen the new SyMenu (1.08). In this new version your suggestions to offer hotkey shortcuts for any program and to add separators as new item have been implemented (as several others).
About barani proposals.
RunAs function is already implemented since 1.02 version (February 2009).
To activate RunAs execution for any item simply press CTRL when SyMenu popup is opened until you see the right icon (see manual at Executor modifier entry for a comprehensive explanation).
Regarding barani's second suggestion I give him this advise: if you popup SyMenu and want to close it, simply press ESC button before moving to other windows.
I won't implement auto close function because the behavior that you experiment is strange. Normally if SyMenu loses focus because you click another window or you switch to other windows with ALT + TAB Windows shortcut, SyMenu should disappear.
Maybe it's due to some configuration of your system.
Gianluca
<em>edited by Gianluca on 21/12/2009</em> |
21/12/2009
Topic:
Suggestions
GianlucaAdministrator
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Hello pystha.
SyMenu closing event
Implementing a sort of Autoexec for exit event could be possible. I think that could be available with next release.
Customize font
Allowing users to change font type and size it's easy for me to implement.
I haven't done it until now because font size is a critical feature of any Windows application.
We already have problems with multilingual because some button labels in not-English languages are too long (with default fornt) regarding available room inside controls.
In the same way Chinese language (either traditional and simplified) have problems with normal font size. Try to change SyMenu language in one of those language and you'll see that SyMenu is forced to increase font size to avoid that ideograms were cut with standard font size.
Last thing, if you try to increase your system standard font (for example 120DPI from 96DPI) you can see that SyMenu layout will become quite upset.
Because all these reasons I think that customizing font could be done but only as an advanced property (directly from configuration file) without managing that from UI.
In this way only advanced users could change font and I think that they won't complain about possible strange behaviors of program :-)
Well I will think about that too.
Gianluca |
22/12/2009
Topic:
Is it possible an auto "A-->Z sort" of all SyItems
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Dear Sir_X.
Yes it's possible.
Open main configuration form and right click an empty area of the treeview (not over icons).
Contextual menu that opens refers to the tree root. In that way you can apply ordering commands to the root.
Gianluca |
23/12/2009
Topic:
Auto mount True crypt volume during SyMenu startup
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello to all.
Many users ask for an integration between SyMenu and Truecrypt.
The goal is to auto mount Truecrypt volumes at SyMenu startup.
Truecrypt already has an useful set of command that can help to accomplish this task.
Let's see how it works.
1) Create a SyProgram that point to Truecrypt executable file .
In my case the 'Name' attribute is:
TrueCrypt Automount
and 'Path' is:
.\ProgramFiles\TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.exe
2) Remember to check 'Auto Execute' checkbox for this entry. In this way when SyMenu starts it'll execute the program.
In the same way in 'Configuration - Options - Startup' menu, remember to check 'Autoexec' that allows SyMenu to launch every program with checked 'Auto Execute' checkbox during startup.
3) In 'Parameters' my configuration is:
/v #:\CryptedVolume.tc /l T /a /p ciccio /q background
/v #:\CryptedVolume.tc (or /volume) specifies full path of file volume.
In my case crypted file resides on the same SyMenu drive so I have to specify the 'Universal unit Identifier' (#:/) as drive.
SyMenu replaces #:/ dinamically according to unit of your USB drive.
/l T (or /letter) specifies the mount unit of your volume.
Use a letter that is surely free, in my case T:\.
/a (or /auto) specifies that volume has to be auto-mounted.
/p ciccio (or /password) specifies the password, in my case is the word 'ciccio', of your crypted volume.
I think that this parametre should be omitted to make this thing sense.
/q background (or /quit background) specifies that Truecrypt has to remain active in task bar.
Gianluca |
23/12/2009
Topic:
Suggestions
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Dear Coastie.
Since the auto-mounting volumes with TrueCrypt is a common request, I post a new thread regarding this question.
Please see http://www.ugmfree.it/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=20.
Regarding your second question it's a very difficult task to change the normal behavior of menu.
To create SyMenu I've used a standard Windows menu component so my chances to modify the way it shows itself is very low.
Anyway I'll try to check for this.
Gianluca |
23/12/2009
Topic:
Enhancements Wishlist
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello Allen.
First of all, you are welcome and thanks for supporting SyMenu.
Let's see your topics now.
1. SySeparator & SyProgram Shortcuts
Allen wrote:
My only problem using the Search Bar is that not all of my program executables have simple names matching the application, but it is only an issue when dealing with a large number of programs, and even then only a few percent have odd names. I don't rename executables because it could cause problems with Thinstalls or when upgrading portable programs.
Well Search Bar doesn't search executable file name but 'Name' attribute of any SyPrograms. So you can rename this attribute to make it works better.
For example I have two TrueCrypt entry. One for the program and one for an auto-mounted volume.
The executable file names don't change but the SyMenu names are: 'TrueCrypt' and 'TrueCrypt Auto Mount'. So I can't mistake when I launch them through Search Bar.
2. Unit Drive in Systray
Allen wrote:
I notice PSMenu allows more than one instance of their program as long as they are on different drives..is that a possibility with SyMenu?
Surely from next version. I'll put one new option to choose if SyMenu has to block a double instance or not.
3. Setting Files Auto Backup
Allen wrote:
I think the last auto backup is overwritten everytime you hit the SAVE button, so making a manual copy of the SyMenuItem.xml file before extensive changes might still be a good idea.
I think no. SyMenu makes a backup only if you change something in your configuration. If you save a not-modified configuration your previous backup remains safe. Otherwise it's a bug.
4. Unlinked Programs
Allen wrote:
The scan found about 30 unlinked programs, and I wanted to start correcting them, but I found I had to close the Unlinked Program page before I can make any changes on the Configuration form.
I didn't want to make a complete management of unlinked programs. I think a good solution could be to make possible to export a simple text file with the entire list of unlinked programs. Great idea and I don't have to work too hard :-D
Gianluca |
05/01/2010
Topic:
Batch Import Suggestion
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello ignotus.
It's a very good idea.
I can try to create a new option to make possible to import executables and folder structure.
Unfortunately it is not possible to introduce that feature in 1.09 but maybe in 1.10 version.
Gianluca |
08/01/2010
Topic:
Batch Import Suggestion
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Well I can add an option in Batch Import in addition to 'Check all' and 'Uncheck all'. It could be 'Check up to level ...' where user can choose how deep has to be the level of checks.
In this way SyMenu shows any file at any folder level but helps to select only a certain deep level files.
I don't want to restrict initial scan because some users can organize their folder with categorize subfolder and their executable files could reside at different folder deep.
Besides in this way you can make SyMenu selects most of programs and then you can refine your import plan.
Certainly, scanning all folder deep could be a waste of time but Batch Import is used only the first time a user setup his new drive. I think that could be a right price to pay to have all programs automatically imported.
Gianluca |
18/01/2010
Topic:
Choose a fixed color for task icon
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello Sir_X.
Sure it is possible.
Version 1.09 is already in development phase and I can't include too many new features in it but I put your suggestion on my todo list and I think that it shall be included in version 1.10 or 1.11 .
But... naturally... since SyMenu is a wonderful piece of code  you can customize your configuration file to force a certain color in task icon with current version too (1.08).
Follow these steps.
1) make a backup of your SyMenuConfig.xml file (it's in SyMenu root folder)
2) open SyMenuConfig.xml with a text editor (notepad is suitable too)
3) find this line in xml:
<taskIconOverlay enabled="True" randomColor="False" backColors="606060,0000FF,E72021,007200,000000,6F55CC,E27900,7F4100" />
and modify it in this way:
<taskIconOverlay enabled="True" randomColor="True" backColors="606060" />
Pay attention to letters chasing, tags and double quotes closures.
When SyMenu will start again it activates random color in task icon but, since color list is limited to one color (606060 in my example), you reach your goal the same.
Last things.
- Color codes are in HTML format (without # character). You can find hundreds of example table in internet (ex. http://htmlcolorcodes.org/) or you can use a graphic editor to create your favorite colors (ex. Paint.net).
- Color of unit letter is white (not customizable) so choose a suitable background color.
Gianluca |
20/01/2010
Topic:
program fails to start from symenu
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Yes.
Thanks to Robin that reports the same strange behavior for some apps, I discovered that other programs, like Emule, suffer of the same problem.
This problem is due to a not perfect portability of these programs: they trust in the existence of a parameter that is not strictly pertinent with portable programs. The parameters is 'Working Directory'.
You can see this attribute in quite any Windows link (it's usually called 'Start in').
Well even if I think that this kind of programs are not perfectly portable, since next SyMenu version (1.09) you'll find a new 'Advanced Params' that will be WorkingDirectory.
I've already tested hwinfo32.exe with and without the new parameter and the result was exactly what I expected: with WorkingDirectory setted hwinfo works.
Please stay tuned for next release!
Gianluca |
20/01/2010
Topic:
Batch Import Suggestion
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Actually there is not a valid reason for batch importer to not import .bat and .cmd file.
I haven't think about it since now.
It's a good idea.
I think that it could be possible to implement this feature in next version.
Gianluca |
21/01/2010
Topic:
Just a tiny suggestion
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello SyMan.
I suggest you that when you raise by mistake your mouse shortcut, try pressing ESC key to make SyMenu disappear. Or create another shortcut to ESC key in your mouse.
Regarding your request I have to evaluate the pros and cons of having the same shortcut for two different actions on SyMenu.
Usually I consider very annoying this UI approach. For example I hate every program that allows to opens and closes its main window with a click on its task icon because if computer is temporarily busy, I click more than once on the icon because I don't receive feedback from the program. The result is that, when computer replies, main window program opens and close repeatedly. Hateful.
Anyway I think about that and if anyone else agree or disagree with this approach please post a reply on this thread.
Gianluca |
27/01/2010
Topic:
Batch Importer has to import any kind of file
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello tdp1001.
Yes it is a great idea but before your message I thought that nobody uses SyMenu to link other files than executable.
Well I'm very happy about that but I would like to be sure that this request is agreed between more that one user.
So if someone else think that this feature could be useful please reply in this thread.
Currently you can use drag and drop from Explorer to SyMenu to import files.
Gianluca |
29/01/2010
Topic:
Drive Letter Overlay and .NET support
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hi sgarcia.
Your problem doesn't come from Icon overlay but from Autorun.inf file.
Go on C:\ with Windows explorer and delete Autorun.inf file.
When you restart your system C: icon and name will return normal.
The option that creates Autorun.inf is in menu Configuration - Create Autorun.inf.
Regarding your second question .NET Framework is not portable. I know that some guys are trying to make .NET portable but I think that the project is dead.
Gianluca |
30/01/2010
Topic:
Choose a fixed color for task icon
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello again.
Next version (1.09), that is currently in translation, will implement the possibility to choose a fixed color for overlay icon without hacking your SyMenuConfig.xml.
Gianluca |
15/02/2010
Topic:
Open with Sandboxie
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello Coastie.
Since Sandboxie supports command line mode to launch programs (http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?StartCommandLine) it is already possible to create a SyProgram like this:
Path: C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\Start.exe
Parameters: notepad
To open notepad on Sandboxie.
If you want to open a portable program available on the same unit of SyMenu you can write:
Path: C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\Start.exe
Parameters: #:\SyMenu\ProgramFiles\Notepad++\Notepad++.exe
using # as placeholder for unit drive. SyMenu will replace it on program execution.
Besides next SyMenu version (1.09) will support mixed parameters for SyProgram.
So you could write something like this:
Path: C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\Start.exe
Parameters: /box:Test notepad
to open notepad into the sandbox called Test.
I don't think that SyMenu could integrate with sandboxie more strictly, because, as you already said, the program is not portable.
Regarding Truecrypt I think that this debate could be re-opened after the release of SyMenu 1.09 because the new mixed parameters function and the autoexec on close feature, open new possibilities in integration with a lot of programs.
So stay tuned for next release and let's see again after 1.09.
Gianluca |
16/02/2010
Topic:
Can we test the new versions ?
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello Sir_X.
I'm very glad about your proposal.
Next version (1.09) is already tested and I planned to released it during next weekend (probably on Saturday 02/20/2010).
But I can add you and any other person who wants to help SyMenu in beta tester group for next release.
Anyone who wants to help SyMenu with beta testing, translation, graphics has to send me a private message through forum or my web site with his personal email so we can start a good collaboration.
Thanks
Gianluca |
17/02/2010
Topic:
Better icon select option
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello zegames.
You are right. SyMenu chooses the first icon from .exe file.
It is surely possible to implement a little form to select one of the possible icon but I'm very busy with new features in this period and this is a very challenging task.
So if one C# programmer would like to help me (and SyMenu) to implement a component to display and select one icon inside an .exe (or .dll) icon collection I'll be very grateful.
The project is starting to become very large for one person only.
Thanks.
Gianluca |
06/03/2010
Topic:
SyMenu encountered a problem and needs to be close
GianlucaAdministrator
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Hello Isaia.
It's a very strange behavior.
SyMenu can work if it starts from a mapped drive (ex. Z:\SyMenu.exe is a supported path) and doesn't work when it is launched from a network path (ex. \\remoteserver\d$\SyMenu\SyMenu.exe is not supported).
I think that your problem is caused by permission on mapped folder. SyMenu needs to be allowed to write on its folders because since it is a portable program it can't write on user folders or temp folder.
So the solution is try to check write permissions on mapped folder.
Gianluca |