21/04/2009
Topic:
Skype configuration
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Skype can be used as a portable application thanks to a particular configuration and SyMenu.
Follow these steps:
1 - Copy Skype folder from a normal installation in destination folder (example J:\SyMenu\ProgramFiles\Skype)
2 - Create into folder Phone the following Skype.bat file:
cd %1
start Skype.exe /datapath:"Data" /removable
exit
3 - Create a new SyProgram in SyMenu that points to Skype.bat file
4 - Specify in Parameters textbox:
#:\SyMenu\ProgramFiles\Skype\Phone
according with your path
5 - Enable SyMenu "Advanced params" check with default values
Bye
<em>edited by gianluca on 21/04/2009</em> |
21/04/2009
Topic:
Firefox
GianlucaAdministrator
|
If you want to use Mozilla Firefox (not portable version) in SyMenu:
1) copy entire Firefox folder from an existing installation in your removable drive (example J:\SyMenu\ProgramFiles\Firefox)
2) Create a new SyProgram in SyMenu that points to firefox.exe file
3) Add in Parameters textbox the following text:
-no-remote -profile #:\SyMenu\Profiles\Firefox
Bye
<em>edited by gianluca on 21/04/2009</em> |
07/05/2009
Topic:
Application Shortcut Paths
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Thank Chris for you suggestion.
Relative paths will be implemented from version 1.05 for all SyItem residing below SyMenu root folder. |
12/05/2009
Topic:
Total Commander
GianlucaAdministrator
|
If you are a Total Commander fan like me, you would like to have TC always with you in your USB stick.
In TC web site (http://www.ghisler.com) you can find tc2usb tool that is an installer to make TC portable.
But there is another way.
TC can use System32 or program folder to store his configuration files (wincmd.ini, wcx_ftp.ini). The switch that TC sets to save configuration files chosen location is probably written in registry, so, if you move your TC copy from a pc to another, configuration files will be searched always in System32 folder (default location).
The solution is that TC can be instructed to search for configuration files in certain folders through command parameters.
These are the steps to make TC fully portable:
1 - Copy totalcmd folder from a normal installation in destination folder (example J:\SyMenu\ProgramFiles\totalcmd)
2 - Create into new folder the following StartTC.bat file:
echo off
"%~dp0TOTALCMD.EXE" /i="%~dp0wincmd.ini" /F="%~dp0wcx_ftp.ini"
3 - Create a new SyProgram in SyMenu that points to StartTC.bat file
TC is now portable.
Bye |
22/06/2009
Topic:
Application Shortcut Paths
GianlucaAdministrator
|
SyMenu 1.05 has been released.
From this version paths residing on the same SyMenu drive will be relative.
Universal Unit Identifier (#:/) remains for compatibility reasons and to store dynamic paths on command parameters, but SyMenu works out relative paths for new items.
SyMenu won't convert old Universal Unit Identifier paths in relative paths automatically.
If you prefer this new path type, you can re-import any programs (with batch importer) or refresh any path one by one with browse button.
Bye
Gianluca
<em>edited by Gianluca on 16/07/2009</em> |
23/06/2009
Topic:
Customize SyDocument associations and icons
GianlucaAdministrator
|
SyDocument is an item type that allows to link any type of document (.doc, txt, xls, mp3, jpg, gif... and so on) but .exe.
For some document types SyMenu implements a default icon.
The complete list of managed extension is:
url,htm,html,hlp,7z,arj,gz,gzip,lzh,rar,tar,tgz,zip,jpg,jpeg,gif,tiff,tif,bmp,png,txt,nfo,ini,chm,doc,docx,rtf,xls,pdf,mp3
If anyone wants to experiment some custom configuration, try to add new extensions to the list (the list is stored in SyMenuConfig.xml file).
New extension can override old extension or manage not existing extensions.
For example this entry manage mp3 (override), mp1 (new) and mp2 (new) and uses music.ico icon.
<icon name="music" path=".\icons\music.exe.ico" extension="mp1,mp2,mp3" />
Watch out. SyMenuConfig.xml file represent the core of SyMenu configuration so make a backup copy of it before modifing.
Gianluca
<em>edited by Gianluca on 18/07/2009</em> |
28/06/2009
Topic:
Requests
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello CompFX.
I could try to move reset button a bit far away from save button, according to a tidy and clean layout. I think that it'll be possible.
Regarding the backup option for MenuItem.xml I set this features in list, but it has a very low priority because even today it's possible to backup the file manually from file system.
Thanks for suggestions.
Gianluca |
30/06/2009
Topic:
A little shaky at 40 megs of ram
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Thanks for you feedback.
I'll try to reply to your questions in the more exhaustively way.
Memory occupation
SyMenu is really a memory greedy application for two reasons.
First reason resides on need to be responsive. USB drive (especially pen drive) are very slow and the only way to make SyMenu fast (in items search and items load) is loading in memory any item and above all, any icon.
Some tricks to decrease memory occupation are:
- use a smaller icon set (reuse the same icons for many items or use default icons);
- don't use Description field in SyPrograms;
- don't use Advanced Params for configuration
In this way memory occupation decreases dramatically.
Second reason resides on .NET framework.
.NET Framework doesn't allow to manage directly memory and delegates this task to Garbage Collector (GC).
GC recycles memory only when it consider that it useful to do it.
If an application keeps busy a lot of memory without using it, GC decides to recycle memory only if entire system (OS, other applications) needs it. Otherwise it leaves memory occupied.
Add to this scenario the fact that when an application uses .NET runtime, already starts with a minimum range of used memory because of the runtime. Consider that a .NET winform application (framework 2.0) with only an empty form (nothing inside) uses almost 5MB of memory.
Solution.
If I receive other report like your (yes! your situation is a bit extreme  ) I'll implement an optional "save memory mode" in SyMenu where icons are loaded from USB disk and not from memory.
But before I would like to receive other reports.
Extension manager
Extension manager uses Windows Wmi to verify any started process in the system.
Yes it could be very heavy if you carry up several extension associations and applications.
Unfortunately Wmi is not under my control so I can tell you that Ext. Manager is not amendable.
Anyway I'm not able to reproduce your problem but I have to stress out some details.
If you want to deactivate Extension manager, use contextual menu. From contextual menu you can switch on or off the service.
If you go to SyMenu main form, menu Configuration - Options and uncheck Extension Manager from there, you are telling to SyMenu not to switch on Ext. Manager at next SyMenu startup and not to switch off Ext. Manager in current session.
I hope this post could help you and other with the same problems.
Feel free to get in touch with me through forum or contact form in web site to deepen these arguments.
Gianluca |
05/07/2009
Topic:
Autoexec...
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello mattymoo.
SyMenu doesn't have the ability to control launched programs windows.
But, if a program supports by itself command line parameters, there is a good possibility that it could be minimized at startup.
Other programs supports an explicit option "minimize at startup".
So try to read the PixaMSN documentation and search for "startup options" and "command lines" because, in this case, SyMenu can't help you.
Gianluca |
15/07/2009
Topic:
Customize SyMenu theme
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello mattymoo.
From next version (1.06) SyMenu will be fully themeable.
With new version you'll be able to customize icon's background color and selector bar too.
Very cool ;-)
So have just a little bit patience.
Next SyMenu version will be available on september.
Gianluca |
16/07/2009
Topic:
A little shaky at 40 megs of ram
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Ok. I've received other requests about memory waste.
As promised, starting from next version (1.06), SyMenu will become more careful in using memory.
Moreover I'll implement a new advanced option to avoid loading of custom icons in case of extreme saving memory configuration.
Regarding this argument (advanced options) I take the opportunity to stress out that any advanced option is customizable with direct editing of SyMenuConfig.xml configuration file and is not managed trough SyMenu user interface.
Gianluca |
02/10/2009
Topic:
Suggestions
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hi Mad-Mazda.
Renewed look and feel in SyMenu has been introduced recently.
So any suggestion to improve this facet is welcome.
I like all your proposal so.. stay tuned with next release!!!
Bye
Gianluca |
04/11/2009
Topic:
Suggestions
GianlucaAdministrator
|
SyMenu has been released and, as promised, you can:
- customize program icons (tray icon, search and option icons)
- have a customizable transparency level on popup menu
About separator I don't like very much them because they steal space on menu.
I prefer using colored folder to create program groups. In my case black folders for commands, blue folders for internet applications and so on.
Have you already tried to use them?
I know that current folder icons are not so beautiful... If someone would like to create an entire set of colored folder for SyMenu I'll be very happy to replace mine :-)
Anyway if separator is a necessary function for many users I'll implement it on next release.
Let me know!
Gianluca |
04/11/2009
Topic:
Customize SyDocument associations and icons
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Since current release (1.07) customize SyDocument is easier than before.
Go on Options menu and in Startup tab you'll find every SyDocument icon.
Click on it and you can specify the new icon. Click again and custom icon will be restored.
Anyway if you want to change managed extensions or if you want to add new items you'll have to manually edit configuration file as explained before.
Gianluca |
04/11/2009
Topic:
Change USB stick default name "SyMenu Drive"
GianlucaAdministrator
|
if you tell SyMenu to create Autorun.inf (menu Options - Create Autorun.inf) it creates a file on USB root called Autorun.inf.
This file tells Windows that when USB is connected Windows has to do some actions (execute SyMenu, change USB icon, change USB name etc.).
If you want to change USB default name "SyMenu Drive", follow these steps:
- go on the root of your drive and open with a text editor (notepad) the file Autorun.inf (if you can't find it, it's because Windows has some settings that hide certain files)
- now change the line:
label=SyMenu Drive
in
label=anything as you want
- detach your USB and attach it again
Gianluca |
10/11/2009
Topic:
Suggestions
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hi barani.
That's a very good idea.
I'll put it in SyMenu todo list.
Thank you
Gianluca |
12/11/2009
Topic:
Thanks and Small Bug Report
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello Allen.
Since version 1.03 the label has been changed from MB to GB according to the procedure that calculate disk space.
Maybe you have an old language file.
If you are using SyMenu in English your problem is already auto-solved.
Every time you run SyMenu, it checks if English lang file is updated otherwise it deletes and recreates the file.
But during first execution you can see old lang file.
So If you use SyMenu in English, go now on configuration form and check "Free space" label.
Let us know the result.
Gianluca |
23/11/2009
Topic:
Enhancements Wishlist
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hello Allen.
Thanks for your interesting suggestions.
Within some weeks I can post a detailed reply to your proposal.
Some features you suggested are very hard to implement but I'll try my best.
Gianluca |
01/12/2009
Topic:
Enhancements Wishlist
GianlucaAdministrator
|
Hi Allen.
Finally, since version 1.08 is quite ready (it's in beta testing phase), I can reply to your requests.
Allen wrote:
After testing SyMenu, here is my wishlist for enhancements:
1. Option for folders (containers) to display opened - to save mouse clicks opening folders for frequently used programs. A workaround is to add programs to the root menu without a container, but then organization is lost and there are no dividers.
It is not possible to open more than one folder per time because of a "limitation" of Windows menu control (anyway it's not a bug but the correct control behavior).
But, since many users have asked for them, I implemented separators. In this way you'll be able to put the most frequently used programs in root menu.
Anyway I strongly suggest to use search bar which is the real most saving mouse click tool.
Allen wrote:
2. Show USB drive letter in systray. I use portable programs on a hard drive as well as on USB drives so it is helpful to see which is open.
Done! It's a configurable feature enabled by default.
Allen wrote:
3. Make the Configuration window resizable to avoid constant scrolling when organizing and moving SyItems. Auto-sorting would be nice.
Done!
Allen wrote:
4. Check if SyItems have changed or are missing. Portable programs can be frequently updated but there is nothing to alert you in SyMenu until you try to execute the program.
Done! You'll find a new tool that scans all paths to find orphans items.
Allen wrote:
5. Auto-close the auto execute programs on Symenu exit. A workaround is to use the EjectUSB program to exit SyMenu.
It was already in my todo list but I don't know when it could be implemented.
Allen wrote:
6. Automatic back up of settings. I manually back up the XML files, but still have a problem with file corruption.
Done! Any time that you'll change SyMenu settings or SyItems configuration a backup file will be created. Only one level backup is allowed.
Allen wrote:
These are just my personal suggestions based on how I use SyMenu and they may not be useful to others. For example, I never use search since I organize my 100+ programs so I can find them quickly. My favorite feature of SyMenu is the Extension Manager. I have installed programs just so I don't have to use the default Window programs. Now I just use the portable versions and set up Extension Manager to override the defaults.
Allen
All these news will be available on new SyMenu version (1.08).
I think that it could be ready within the end of 2009.
Gianluca |
01/12/2009
Topic:
SyMenu ROCKS!
GianlucaAdministrator
|
You're welcome and keep on supporting SyMenu!!
Gianluca |