08.04.00 – 14.04.00
Well as you can see, I am continuing this little letter. I
would like to personally thank all of you who wrote to me, it really
helped me to decided whether or not to keep it going. On top of that,
I received some good ideas for the letter which I will be slowly
integrating through the next few letters. Please e-mail me and tell
me what you think of the new sections so I know whether or not to keep
them. At this point the RETRO section is being taken out until I
can get some older modules to post there.
Now on to the rant. I just would like to know why people keep
thieving other peoples ideas. This is a trend that more then gets me
heated up as I am an ex-coder. I mean come on people, start giving out
credit. And I’m not talking about taking and idea from mindjunction
and turning it into a mod. That’s not thieving. I’d love to point
fingers here but as usual I won’t, but you know who you are. If you
are going to take someone elses idea/work and put it into practice into
something you are working on, give credit to the original creator. It
is a sad, sad thing to see someone elses good idea stolen by another
and have the second person take the credit for it. Just because most
of LS is open source doesn’t mean its open to be stolen. As I remember,
there was a big todo a bit ago about some people stealing some LS related
code and implementing it into a program that is now being sold. Just
keep in mind that someone else came up with the idea and implemented it
into something before you did. Think about how you would feel if
someone stole your ideas. And if you tell me “I don’t care if someone
did that.”, your lying and you know it.
- demigod
…………………………………………….
-= LiteStep Specific =-
…………………………………………….
—————————
TOP NEWS STORIES
—————————
- Update To The 11.23.99 build (9:39am 11.04)
Seems as if jugg took it upon himself to update the last
“stable” build of litestep. While he was working on his new
build of tasks.dll, he ran across some memory leaks and a
security issue. The result is a new litestep.exe and lsapi.dll
from the 11.23.99 build, renamed 4.10.00. FPN, jugg, and
tin_omen have posted this new/old build.
Changes made are as follows:
! Fixed _huge_ memory leak in LSExecuteEx() function in
lsapi.dll
! Fixed smaller memory leak potential in LSExecute() function
in lsapi.dll
! Fixed memory security issues in ParseBangCommand() function
in lsapi.dll
! Fixed module unloading procedure in litestep.exe which would
pass the wrong HINSTANCE to the module being unloaded.
! Fixed ErrorBox handling giving you bogus information when a
module Failed to load. (It still may, but a lot less so).
url – http://jugg.logicpd.com/
e-mail – jugg@earthling.net
(source: LS Mailing List ~ ls 112399 ‘fix’ build released)
+—————+
- MyStep.org Looking For Help (3:19pm 12.04)
“We are looking for people with experience using
LiteStep. We are looking for people, anyone, who wants
to contribute to the LiteStep community. This is your
chance to make a name for yourself. What we are
looking for is..
1.)A friendly attitude and creative imagination
2.)Knowledge of LiteStep
3.)Knowledge of html
4.)Graphic Skills
5.)Time to dedicate to the site
6.)Knowledge of Third Party Modules
7.)Knowledge of the Step.rc commands
“Php knowledge isn’t required, We have several people
already doing php for the site, we are looking for
content providers. If you are interested in getting
involved with MyStep.org, PLEASE, contact
Godzillamk@litestep.com. And we will be glad to
contact you back.”
e-mail – godzillamk@litestep.com
(source: LS Mailing List ~ Job Openings at MyStep.org)
—————————
MODULES
—————————
- dwarf 1.11 ~ trOgI (11:06am 10.04)
dwarf is a Litestep system module that allows you to run
modules, shortcuts, folders, and folders with subfolders
anywhere on your desktop.
New in this version:
- fixed a problem with dwarfcloseonswitch where a dwarf
wouldn’t close when another dwarf was opened
url – http://lssource.cjb.net
e-mail – crouson@inreach.com
(source: http://floach.pimpin.net)
+—————+
- grdTray 2.0b5/2.1b1 ~ gustav (11:08am 10.04)
grdTray is a system tray replacement module for LiteStep which
provides greater control over appearance, placement, and icon
layout.
New in this version:
- this update includes the version that should have packaged
together with beta 4, so this one does work!
- added a new bang, namely; grdTraySize
%%UPDATE%% (11:38am 11.04)
- yet another feature has been imported from systray,
with grdBorderDrag set, you can drag the tray around
- recoded the bang commands, using AddBangCommandEx
and moved the actual code into the wndproc, which
makes all the bang commands accessible through
the SendMessage function…
- added another setting, grdTrayBorderSize, which
will be used if the other Border settings are omitted
- updated the document which spoke of a similar setting
url – http://home.swipnet.se/grd/
e-mail – grd@swipnet.se
(source: http://floach.pimpin.net)
+—————+
- mIRC Command 1.2 ~ WhiteShadow (9:33am 11.04)
mIRC Command is a module that allows you to send IRC commands
to an mIRC windows simply by using LS !bang commands.
New in this version:
- Added !mircchangedde
o This allows you to send an IRC command to a specific
mIRC window if you have more than one open.
url – http://www.muohio.edu/~changty/
e-mail – changty@muohio.edu
(source: http://floach.pimpin.net)
+—————+
- Text Edit 1.2 ~ WhiteShadow (9:36am 11.04)
Text Edit is a cool LS module which provides a way to use !bang
commands to edit a text file.
New in this version:
- Added * at end of strings
- Added !textdelsingle
url – http://www.muohio.edu/~changty/
e-mail – changty@muohio.edu
(source: http://floach.pimpin.net)
+—————+
- xmouse.dll ~ llornkcor (9:27an 12.04)
xmouse.dll allows you to have xmouse auto raising ala Xwin.
Works only for Windows98 and Windows2000. Once the commands
are set, Windows will remember them after a reboot.
Commands:
!AUTORAISETIME <timeout> initial windows default is 0 (sets
the autoraise tracking timeout)
!TOGGLEAUTOFOCUS initial windows default is OFF
(toggles focus follows mouse)
!TOGGLEAUTORAISE initial windows default is OFF
(toggles mouse raises to the front)
!CLICKTORAISE will get you started with autofocus
click to raise
!AUTOFOCUSRAISE will get you started with autofocus
autoraise
<timeout> time in milliseconds that the cursor
has to be in a window before focus
changes
TOGGLEAUTORAISE toggles the window being
automatically brought to the front.
TOGGLEAUTOFOCUS toggles window under mouse to
getting focus.
url – http://www.llornkcor.com/software.htm
e-mail – llornkcor@llornkcor.com
(source: LS Mailing List ~ xmouse.dll)
—————————
THEMES
—————————
- synchronicity 2.0 ~ omar (12:28pm 10.04)
“At long last the blue version of synchronicity has arrived.
:] Insha’allah you’ll find this theme very easy to install.
Separate step.rc files for all resolutions from 640×480 to
1600×1200 have been included.
“Main features:
- a totally unique look :]
- comes in two great colours: blue, and brown
- chronos, systray, deskfolders, geekamp & lsx are in a module
queue
- VWM and module queue hide/show animations
- 11 sysmeter skins
- 4 wallpapers
- 4 popups
- two OEMLOGO images
“The animations may be previewed below:
module slot anim.(53kb)
VWM anim.(53kb)
“Thanks for all your feedback guys! :]
“(please see ohussain.cjb.net if you need more info.)”
url – http://ohussain.cjb.net
ss- http://www.litestep.net/themes/ss/synch_theme_blue.gif
e-mail – ohussain@hotmail.com
(source: http://www.litestep.net)
+—————+
- cygnus x-1 ~ jalist (12:58pm 12.04)
“Version v1.11 – probably the final release. Not as memory or
cpu intensive as it looks. Completely customizable without
having to edit the step.rc. Nine wallpapers, Windowblinds and
Quicknotes skins included with zip. Works with all res`s above
1024×768.”
url – http://www.chunkymunky.com/litestep2000
ss – http://www.litestep.net/themes/ss/cygnus_x-1.jpg
e-mail – bignose@easynet.co.uk
(source: http://www.litestep.net)
—————————
WEB SITES
—————————
- Daily Builds Pages Gets A Face Lift (9:30am 11.04)
Just went over to the dev builds page on my daily hunt
for info and saw that it has a new look. Blue, grey, and
white in a table format. Looks alot cleaner imo. Check
it out.
url – http://builds.litestep.net
(source: http://builds.litestep.net)
—————————
PROGRAMS
—————————
- xmouse ~ llornkcor (12:14pm 11.04)
This is a small commandline utility that will enable xmouse
focus in Win98/2k. Similar to TweakUI but also handles
timing too.
url – http://www.llornkcor.com/software.htm
e-mail – llornkcor@llornkcor.com
(source: LS Mailing List ~ xmouse.dll)
+—————+
- lsDrinks 2.5.0 ~ nf0 (10:03am 13.04)
lsDrinks is a Perl-based program which gathers news from
Litestep and other news-related sites and puts them in folders
or creates an HTML page with the news. To run this program,
you need some distribution of Perl installed on your computer.
New in this version:
Added: Fileclicks
Added: Penny Arcade
Added: Geeknik.net
url – http://www.10500bc.org/lsDrinks/
e-mail – nf0@10500bc.org
(source: floach.pimpin.net)
—————————
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
—————————
**NEW SECTION** In the coming weeks, I will be adding definitions
of common shell terms. I thought I would start off with the most
common of all that is asked about, Bang Command.
- Bang Command
Bang commands are commands that are called to do a specific
function. An example would be !RUN, this bang command would
bring up the run dialog box. Bang commands always have an
exclamation point before the command.
………………………………
—-
Tips
—-
- Newbie Tip
Have you ever made some changes to your step.rc, recycled, and
noticed that nothing changed? So you go back, make MORE changes
and still nothing? By any chance are you leaving notepad open
when you make these changes? If so you are probably forgetting
to save the changes before recycle.
- Advanced Tip
When commenting out a step.rc for other to use, DO NOT put
comments after the line. Put them before the section or line
you are pointing out. The reason for this is although the
core allows for this, not all modules do. This can cause
parsing errors and at worse crash LS on startup and each
recycle.
…………………………………………….
-= Beyond LiteStep =-
…………………………………………….
————————-
Tweaking Beyond the Shell
————————-
**NEW SECTION** This section will be dedicated to tips/tricks/tweaks
for hacking windows. Things such as changes the windows widgets,
changing static icons without a program, so on.
- Changing System Information in Windows About Boxes
Simple little hack that will change the system info from something
like Windows 98 4.0.1998 to LiteStep b24.6 11.23.99. Make a backup
of your registry before doing this or any other reg hack.
Step 1 - Open Regedit (Start, Run, Regedit)
Step 2 - By clicking the +’s get to this entry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
*Note* The next steps will take place within this key.
Step 3 - Within this key find the name: ProductName
Step 4 - Expand this entry and right click on Default and choose
Modify.
Step 5 - Change the Value Data to what you would like the Product
Name to be. (ex: DemiGodOS)
Step 6 - Now find the name: Version
Step 7 - Expand this entry and right click on Default and choose
Modify.
Step 8 - Change the Value Data to what you would like your Version
to be. (ex : b.01)
Step 9 - Now find the name : VersionNumber
Step 10 – Expand this entry and right click on Default and choose
Modify.
Step 11 – Change the Value Data to what you would like your Version
Number to be. (ex: 220199)
Step 12 – Close the registry editor and reboot your system.
………………………………
————-
Latest Builds
————-
- Official – b24.6 build
Modified/Fixed/Added [Popup / Message / 04-08-00]
o Added VarExpansion to ParseBangCommand (now when a
third party module, i.e. lsxcommand, sends a bang
command to be parsed, variables will be expanded.
e.g. previously you had to do !unloadmodule
c:\litestep\modules\systray.dll, now you should be
able to do !unloadmodule $moduledir$systray.dll, or
something similar)
o Reimplemented !about, !about detailed
o Added !about bangs, will display all registered bang
commands
o Changed About dialog to use a listbox instead of a
textbox (modules will be unaffected by this change)
o Changed !popup to take coordinates to display the
popup (e.g. !popup x=0 y=0)
Modified/Fixed [LiteStep / Message / 04-08-00]
o Reimplemented !about, !about detailed via void
GetRevId(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam) (NOTE: Uses
msgmgr, implementation to change when msgmgr returns
list of hwnd for given message)
Modified/Fixed [Popup / Message / 04-08-00]
o Fixed LM_POPUP not using the coordinates passed to
it via wParam and lParam
Modified/Fixed [MsgMgr / Message / 04-08-00]
o Added GetRevID method for handling !about (NOTE: this
method is likely to disappears when a method is
implemented to return a list of hwnds for a given
message
………………………………
————-
Mailing Lists
————-
- LiteStep
To subscribe, e-mail: litestep-subscribe@litestep.ru.ac.za
To unsubscribe, e-mail: litestep-unsubscribe@litestep.ru.ac.za
Additional commands, e-mail: litestep-help@litestep.ru.ac.za
- Stuff
To subscribe, e-mail: stuff-subscribe@litestep.ru.ac.za
To unsubscribe, e-mail: stuff-unsubscribe@litestep.ru.ac.za
Additional commands, e-mail: stuff-help@litestep.ru.ac.za