Hi Dave, I might be the second most downloaded DX author on Wincustomize, but I ALWAYS have trouble making themes Resolution independant. I think this is an important feature and I would really like to know the best way to go about making themes that will resize to any resolution on installation.

Thanks....... Bry.

That's because they don't really want to touch any scripting them self. Which is fully understandable. But there is only that many ways of describing how to make a weather gadget. What they need isn't a tutorial on making a gadget, but scripting it self.
I'll be interesting with this new Gadget type SD will come out with where they apparently are skinable. Sounds like they are separating function and form.


This sounds like a good idea. I see questions about resolutions frequently.

I appreciate all the tips, but...lol

I don't wanna keep 'adapting' other peoples scripts or regurgitating the same widgets over and over. I have some idea for stuff I haven't seen yet. I guess I am looking for a good source reference or tutorial that actually will, or can, 'teach' me all the basics of Java (that seems to be the most popular) as it would apply to widgets and such so I can create the things I have stuck in my head.

There are a LOT of Java/VBSCRIPT references out there, but i was planning (and have) on having scripting tutorials that would cover the BASICS of scripts.

I believe there are a LOT of ideas out there... its making them a reality that is not the easiest.

I had thoughts a while ago of working on a "DX Service Site" that would allow people who want something built for them to go and request a quote, and maybe partner up with them on sales. IE: Holiday Countdown was the idea of Zubaz, and he and i worked together on that, he ripped it a new one, and i complained that i couldn't do what he thought it needed, then i made it do it, then he ripped THAT apart, etc. LOL

I do think that post#10 has the best approach to these tutorials, we can add more as we go, but its a good starting place.

All we need now is a dedicated web site to do this on.... wonder if stardock will give me space on a server? www.dxtutorials.com?

That would be awesome.

I have to agree with RomanDA on this.  The thing to do isn't to learn scripts that are already out there (more clocks, weather, etc.).

Good gadgets work one of two ways but start the same:

1.  Have an idea for a great gadget
2.  Learn needed scripting (lots of resources on the web)
3.  Learn how to incorporate script into DX (sViz, Martin, RomanDA, CerebroJD, DX Wiki, Stardock documentation, etc)
4.  Execute
5.  Profit!! (or share)

OR

1.  Have an idea for a great gadget
2.  Learn how to incorporate script into DX (sViz, Martin, RomanDA, CerebroJD, DX Wiki, Stardock documentation, etc)
3.  Learn needed scripting (lots of resources on the web)
4.  Execute
5.  Profit!! (or share)

The idea is the hardest part.  The scripting is out there.  The DX incorporation might be the missing part.  I actually think that existing documentation, tutorials, and "open source" objects are sufficient if people want to do the work.

I have learned so much from all the DX tutorials out there but the thing is that much of the code was available out there but the real benefit was that I didn't think of putting it together in the way the DX Gods do.

I say "keep doing the tuts".  And host them all together. and link to them often.  But people that have a good idea for a DX thing will make the effort to make it happen or find someone else to make it happen whether there are tutorials or not.

Me, I'll hack away at objects that will never leave my desktop and push any ideas I have to the people who can execute it better than I ever will.

That is easy enough. But is that for personal use only or can that be done with the intent of uploading it here. I may not know how to write scripts but I know I can edit them to suit my needs. My thought was that using someone elses script in your widget was basically a rip, regardless of what graphics were used, or changes made. Thats why I haven't experimented with them at all. In fact, I was surprised at the advise to search google for scripts. I thought everyone was writing their code from scratch. This thread has already taught me alot.

This was a great idea and I'm looking forward to the tutorials. Thanks

Anything that is uploaded here is open for you to tweak for persoanl use.  You can even upload it back to here if you have permission from the author/artist.  And Stardock has released their scripts to anyone with no permission needed.

So go!  Build!  Have fun!  Report back and share!   

But where are the Stardock scripts?

There is no script repository per se.  The Stardock scripts are part of almost every weather widget out there.
Find an object you want to tweak.  If the script has permissions from Stardock included you are free to use it nand upload it to WC.
If the script belongs to someone else, you need to get permission to share.

You can use any code you want for personal use.

Some times DX can be very intimidating to some people. It is vast and complex in certain areas. There are just too many things that can be done and done differently and what is easy for one person may be hard for another. Just an idea here. Have a thread where you invite people to tell you what areas they have the most problems in. With the understanding that there would not be any answers given in the thread, That this information would be used to build a data base of the most areas of confusion. This would give you an idea of what areas that would need the most explanations

As far as scripts go I have VB6 and I have created a few scripts with the help of the program. But I find that the terminology is different in DX then it is when I work in VB6 and that has a tendency to throw me off.. Some of the terms used like DIM and SUB I have no idea what it means. Maybe a list of the what the term means would be helpful to me and others interested in scripting.

On another note if I can be of any help putting the tutorial together or help out in any other way please let me know I would be glad to help out...

There is a reason some of us upload gadgets vs widgets, the scripts. If i spend months on something and im planning in selling it (which im doing more and more now) i dont want my code out there form someone to reverse engineer from. If i post a WIDGET or OBJECT I feel im saying LOOK IT OVER, but if you use it (well more than a small part of the code) let me know, and ask if its ok to upload your version here.

There are a LOT of Stardock Scripts, load DX, import a widget, look at anything that says "CORE" or "SILICA" i believe these are ALL made by or for stardock, and are free to be used, thus the word "CORE" as is basis for creating items.

I find myself using code from CORE items all the time.

I have found that most people are OK with you using their scripts as most people's scripts are not 100% their own, they came from other widgets, or from web sites, etc.

Again, its best to ASK before uploading something that uses other's scripts.

I also believe that the CORE WEATHER images are free to be used as well. (need a SD person to verify that).

Can someone tell me how to get the color changer to work in dx

More info needed
Name of widget?
Link (if downloaded)?

Also, a new post may have been more appropriate to avoid hi-jacking this thread.   

I'd like to see instructions on how to change theme resolutions. I've been pretty disappointed in the fact that these themes don't "autoadjust" to resolutions like 1440x900, and I know others have been as well.

I can think of an easier one than this. If they extended the tutorials section to include categories it would be a heck of a lot easier to access only the dx tutorials

Hiya RoManda!Your the man who got me started on widgets when I decided to see how you did the analog cpu meters.
I need a script that calls up left and right sound levels...input levels,and maybe output.VU meters capable of monitoring a sound files actual volume.
I want to make a media player with DX.Or just have the meters running beside WMP.

I know thats a little specific for a tutorial,but maybe a tut that will allow us to make any kind of similar widgy.
Thanks dude.  

I wonder if WMI holds that data?

WMI doesn't (duh)
But a call to DirectSound through DirectX might.
Might need a plugin too . . not sure. 

This might be a starting point or maybe this

Thanks,that second link might be of help.(if I knew what I was doing)  Winamp has them and sysmetrics...so its got to be possible.  

How to make objects that interacte with the internet...
For example, the word of the day object.

I think this is a good one. Especially since DX got new methods to download internet content.
I've been thinking of making a little code snipped that makes it easy to traverse XML data. I'll see if I can get that soon now seeing that I'm unemployed. Just got to get my portfolio out of the way first.

What new methods? did i miss something?



sorry to hear that man, wish i could help.

Hey RomanDA, thank you for offering to help out with this! So far your ideas look great...

I have one request, and you have already replied somewhat in a separate thread about it, its the standard rightclick context menu in DX, when you click on the desktop an annoying menu comes up with Favourites, Programs etc... on it and i would love to be able to turn that off altogether or modify it in some way. Having said all this, its probably up to the developers of DX to do something like that moreso than yourself, but maybe you could pass that on to the right people?

Apart from that, my own issue (apart from the lack of natural talent regarding graphics) would be scripting, and as you suggested above starting with some objects and some code to play around with would be top class!

Well done and thanks again...

Ronan H

Ronan,

I believe you want RIGHT-CLICK from Stardock, its part of object dock.

Here is the link: RIGHT-CLICK

Here is what it says:

RightClick lets you design your own right-click desktop menu. Add program short-cuts, folders, disk space monitors, RSS readers, and virtually anything you can imagine to it. Get it on its own or as part of Object Desktop.

Your desktop is usually covered with windows. No problem, RightClick enables you to assign a hot-key to bring it up any time, anywhere. It's also fully skinnable and supports adding DesktopX widgets to your menus.


Highlights:

* Display running tasks, short-cuts, system commands, internet links and more.
* Add start menu items and even supports hiding the start menu.
* Be customized and can inherit the WIndowBlinds visual style being used.
* Be launched by a hotkey if the desktop background is covered with windows.