Mail object problem and text object problems

from WinCustomize Forums
Ok I have 2 problems. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

First, I'm having problems with my Killer mail object. My mail server settings don't save if I change my theme at all. That's a bit of a pain. I used to be able to make the objects persistent, and that would save my settings, but now I can't do that. Anybody know how to fix that?

My second problem is with the text objects I use. My skills are pretty rudimentary, but I've created my own theme which is very functional. Most of my objects are simply text, with drop down menus and other shortcuts and such. Everything works great as long as I use a dark wallpaper--I just make all my text white and it shows up fine. Any bright wallpaper, though, and my objects tend to blend in with the background. What I'm wondering is if there's a way to make text have contrast no matter what color my background.

Thanks for any help
desktopx
1,680 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
2) add a border color
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not sure about the save setting part, but for your text, use text outline, in a dark color. With dark themes you won't notice any change, but where the background is lighter your will still see the text due to the outlining. Should help.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Good idea... I'll try that out, thanks.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You might want to use the registry to save your settings for email, etc.
Then its not looking at the widget at all but in a set place in the registry.

I got the following code out of something, i have no idea what anymore..



Dim EBRegistryPath, W_SH


EBRegistryPath = "HKCU\Software\Stardock\DesktopX\Widget\MyWidget\"

Set W_SH = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")



Sub loadsettings 

 SportType = W_SH.RegRead(EBRegistryPath & "SportType")

 Max_Tiles = W_SH.RegRead(EBRegistryPath & "MaxTiles")

 MaxGameCount = W_SH.RegRead(EBRegistryPath & "MaxGameCount")

 BackStyle = W_SH.RegRead(EBRegistryPath & "BackStyle")

 Max_Tiles = INT(Max_Tiles)

 MaxGameCount = INT(MaxGameCount)

End Sub



Sub savesettings

 W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "SportType", SportType, "REG_SZ"

 W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "MaxTiles", Max_Tiles, "REG_DWORD"

 W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "MaxGameCount", MaxGameCount, "REG_DWORD"

 W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "BackStyle", BackStyle, "REG_SZ"

End Sub



Function CheckReg()

 On Error Resume Next

 Test = W_SH.RegRead(EBRegistryPath & "SportType")

 If Err.Number = 0 Then

  LoadSettings

 Else

  W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "SportType", "NFL", "REG_SZ"

  W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "MaxTiles", 8, "REG_DWORD"

  W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "MaxGameCount", 20, "REG_DWORD"

  W_SH.RegWrite EBRegistryPath & "BackStyle", "Gray", "REG_SZ"

 End If

On Error GoTo 0

End Function


This is not 100% but its a start. Look at some of the other widgets to see how they are storing info in the registry.

Hope this helps!
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks man--I'll see if I can work on that.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey guys, the border thing for text worked pretty well. Thanks again. Now I won't need to change my theme so the mail server setting issue isn't such a big deal. Now--if only I could get rid of desktop x helper when I boot up, I'd be happy!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
DjStoic - I often find a glow (with offset 0,0) is more subtle than a border.

Re the registry, I personally use the Local Settings area as this means that different users can store different preferences.

Cheers,

Martin