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It was about three weeks ago when I heard that Wisbar Advanced had been updated to version 2.0. As I mentioned in my post, I used Wisbar from the first build all the way to the Wisbar Advanced 1.0 version. Unfortunately, I experienced some slowdowns with the 1.0 version when I installed it on my WM 2003 device, thus I had to remove it. Chris Lakeridge, the developer, had written that he built Wisbar Advanced 2.0 from the ground up and that it was better, stronger and more stable. Is Wisbar Advanced 2.0 the taskbar manager that dreams are made of? Or is it just a skinnable toy that's "gee whiz" factor wears off in a day or two? Read on to find out!
To begin, just a little description of the Wisbar concept and why version 2.0 intrigued me. First, the original Wisbar was written to add the "close" function that is missing from the Pocket PC OS (when you click the X apps are just minimized, not closed). It also added some nifty task management features where you can click a down arrow that displays all of the apps running in the background, it also has a quick click button that takes you to the today screen. It enabled taskbar skinning which added some eye-candy to your buttons. How to Add a Fresh Look and Feel to Your Pocket PC
As you can see from the picture above, combined with the right theme, a wisbar theme can really look nice. This theme is Clarity by Juni. It is a combination Wisbar Advanced 2.0 theme and Today theme. But it's not only good looking, it has some good functionality too. From the right, you can see the X button has been replaced with a custom button. The house button is my instant access to my today screen. The date and time is displayed where I can see it from all my apps and if I click it, it shows my running tasks and access to wisbar advanced settings. The volume button looks better and the connection icon changes when the device is connected to activesync or to WiFi. Finally, the button to the left of the connection button is my custom app button. Yes, you can set up 2 custom buttons for access to your choice of apps or settings (Mine is set for Resco Explorer).
You can see that Pocket Informant and Resco explorer are running because their icons are visible on the taskbar. If I tap one of the icons once, it brings that app to the front. If I tap and hold it, it closes the app! I really like being able to close a program just by tapping and holding the icon, whether it is active or not.
The picture above shows how I have configured my date/clock. Since most everything is configurable, you can pick and choose what each button does. I was able to do away with the default "settings" button and instead bind the settings to my clock which saves more taskbar space. Let's Talk about skins
Above you can see that not only is the taskbar nice to look at, every single standard program gets a makeover too. Here is Pocket Inbox with the nice blue buttons and menu items. There's unfortunately no spamblock in Wisbar Advance 2 though :P
How's that for a volume control? By the way, if you tap and hold the volume button on the taskbar, it mutes or unmutes the sound. And speaking of sounds, each theme can have it's own sounds. Typically the sounds occur when you minimize or close an app, but others can happen for Start menu access, etc. Personally, I turn off the sounds, but you might like them. Cascading Menus
There are some other utilities and add ons that can offer cascading menus for you. But why pay for an add on when Wisbar Advanced 2.0 incorporates them as part of the package? Not only that, they are skinnable too and match the whole theme. Sounds Great, What are the Drawbacks?
I have been using the new Wisbar Advanced 2.0 for about 3 weeks now and I find it to be solid and reliable on my Axim X30. I haven't noticed any slowdowns or freezes. With that said, there are some users who do claim to have these problems. So I would highly recommend downloading the trial before buying to make sure it's right for you.
The only issue I had was with the payment system. I had submitted payment via Paypal and they never got an email confirmation, so I didn't get my code. I had to email and then ask via their forums and private message for the code 3 times over the period of 2 days before I got it. Meanwhile, the trial had timed out so I was Wisbar-less. I am patient enough to let something like this go, but if you are wanting your code within 20 minutes, or even the first day you will probably be disappointed. Pros
Not only great eye candy - it's functional!
Just about everything is customizable
Fast and stable
skins all apps
One click access to today screen or any running app. Cons
Reports of instability and freezing on some devices
Registration delays Conclusion
When I removed the 1.0 version of Wisbar Advanced from my iPAQ 2215 due to speed and stability issues, I really missed a lot of the functionality that it provided. I missed the 1 click access to my Today screen. I missed the running program icons in the taskbar. I missed the themes. When I heard there was a 2.0 version built from the ground up, faster and more stable, I couldn't help but jump at the chance to download the trial. I am happy to say that the issues I was having have been fixed and the program is just about perfect. Combined with a skin or theme, it adds new flair to my device while providing that all so important task management I have been missing for the past 8 months or so.
Wisbar Advance can be found for trial download or purchase ($9.95) at Lakeridge Software
__________________ James Kendrick Microsoft MVP - Tablet PCwww.jkontherun.com Lockergnome contributor- Mobile Lifestyle...using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs.
Hmmm! Good review.
One thing I've noticed with the today screen plugins is the amount of time it takes a device to be operational following a soft reset.
I presently have an ancient version of OmegaOne's Journal Bar, Battery Pack and dmdSOFTWARE's Space Maker on my Ipaq. But it takes approximately 1min 55secs to become operational after a soft reset, which is a drag. I'm presently blaming Battery Pack for this delay, although it could be Space Maker.
Is it possible to comment on how long it takes your device to become operational after after a soft reset with Wisbar 2.0 installed?
__________________ Afterism (n) - A concise, clever statement you don\'t think of until too late.
To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer.
Addic,
I had the same problem. At first I thought Wisbar or Nicestart was the cause, but then I tried CheckNotifications from Scarybear Software. It can be downloaded for free at http://www.scarybearsoftware.com/ppc_cn_overview.html .
Using this program solved my problem. I had almost 10'000 (!) notifications before, now only about 25. My device now responds a lot faster after a soft reset than before.
Hope it helps!
Best Regards,
Adrian
Is it possible to comment on how long it takes your device to become operational after after a soft reset with Wisbar 2.0 installed?
Sure! No problem and a good question. I disabled all the other today screen utilities I run and soft reset with the soft reset button.
On the Dell Axim X30 Soft reset without Wisbar Advanced 2.0 or any other today screen apps enabled was 25 seconds
With Wisbar Advanced 2.0 as the only today screen app enabled the soft reset took 27 seconds.
So a 2 second difference
yes they can. I didn't like them at first either. But they are growing on me
You turn them off in Settings>buttons and the Start button options are changed to traditional (I think, I don't have my PPC in front of me.)
I just tested WBA2, I was overwhelmed by the skinning effects, disappointed by some slow features like displaying the start menu and submenus; while the native OS feature is instantaneous WBA2's displaying the start menu is very slow. Finally I was underwhelmed by the low level of power and features compared to Gigabar.
If you want power, quickly uninstall WBA2 and put the freeware Gigabar; it's soooo powerful you won't go back to WBA2. And you can even take your favorite WBA skin and turn it into a GB skin; either simply use any image editor and grab another GB skin's buttons to graft it to your WBA topbar; or use the freeware GigaBar Skin Editor. you'll loose the bottom menu skinning but gain 1'000% increase in power and functionality 8-)
I haven't messed with Gigabar for years. Might just have to try it again.
I don't notice too much slowdown on the X30. What kind of Pocket PC are you running?
Axim X5 Advanced with WM03.
Now WBA2 is in the process of being uninstalled(*) and I'm back to running GIGABar. I miss the bottom menu skinning and a couple of other eye candies, but my Start Menu is quick and I can have up to 7 (possibly more) tool buttons on the right side of the bar and each can have 10-16 functions , not just 2 . AND the clock+date option doesn't take half the bar real estate either .
WisBar should be called WimpBar .
(*) it looks like ther's a bug in WimpBarAdv2 that prevents uninstalling it, and worst I can't uninstall any other program NOW. Indeed when I access the Remove Program standard procedure from Settings, the Remove button is replaced by the text "Switcher Bar !" . Good thing I made a backup just before installing WimpBarAdv2.
You can configure a small date and time for WA2. Plus, you can go back to traditional start menu which is faster.
Now I remember why I ditched Gigabar, it's that swirly thingie. I never liked it.
But I'll admit the multi-mapping of buttons to is pretty cool but 2/per is fine with me. I don't use mouse gestures on my gesture capable desktop browser so I assume I wouldn't on the PPC either.
Thanks for the info though...
You can configure a small date and time for WA2. Plus, you can go back to traditional start menu which is faster.
Yes I noticed that later on. However WimpBarAdv's clock n date is still wider and much less easy to read.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad Isaac
Now I remember why I ditched Gigabar, it's that swirly thingie. I never liked it.
That's typical of you American guys, favoring looks vs functionality AND you can put another icon if you don't like it :P.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad Isaac
But I'll admit the multi-mapping of buttons to is pretty cool but 2/per is fine with me. I don't use mouse gestures on my gesture capable desktop browser so I assume I wouldn't on the PPC either.
I suppose you've done tap, double-tap, tap n hold, tap n drag (click n drag aka drag n drop) in your life before and still do on a regular basis
Hmmm!
Is the Gigabar VGA/Wm2003se enabled (e.g. landscape and high resolution modes)?
JLP as an advocate of Gigabar why don't you consider submitting a review of it?
I gotta say I do like the idea of the battery display at the top of Wisbar Advanced 2.0.
Both apps seem to display a hellva lot of info in a tiny space compared to Omegaones battery/program bar!
__________________ Afterism (n) - A concise, clever statement you don\'t think of until too late.
To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer.
The only problem I have with it is on my HP6315 Phone Edition, my connection icon loses its links for connecting to GPRS and turning on WiFi.
Otherwise, it is pretty nice.
That's typical of you American guys, favoring looks vs functionality AND you can put another icon if you don't like it :P.
You earn a big fat eyeroll for that argument :roll: I can't imagine anyone bringing someone's nationality in as an argument about a task manager feature.
You heard it here first folks: American guys choose looks over functionality. Which is why every other car you see on the road is a Jaguar and NOT a Toyota. Every American guy's wife or girlfriend is a perfect 10 but as dumb as a rock. [/sarcasm off]
Ohh man, this is amazing.
Looks over functionality? You HAVE to provide examples here. There are too many counterexamples.
If you don't believe me, step on ANY American car lot. Seen Pontiacs lately?
That's typical of you American guys, favoring looks vs functionality AND you can put another icon if you don't like it :P.
You earn a big fat eyeroll for that argument :roll: I can't imagine anyone bringing someone's nationality in as an argument about a task manager feature.
It's much less a nationality stuff than an attitude one. Just pointing out that you ditched a program because of looks only: in your own words again: "Now I remember why I ditched Gigabar, it's that swirly thingie. I never liked it."
Hmmm! I don't realy want to keep this subject of personal opinions and the stereotyping of either individuals or nations running, but I was recently posting on a thread over at FirstLoox about a most innocuous subject when all of a sudden it exploded in a frenzy of frustration and opinions, that resulted in a regular poster being banned.
As I believe that there could be lesson learned from someone else's over exuberance, I'm posting a link to the thread: Thread Start Thread resolution
Free speach is great and a right (in most cultures), but miscommunication and offence is easily achieved by mistake on the net.
Just my thoughts, does anyone else have any thoughts on this.
__________________ Afterism (n) - A concise, clever statement you don\'t think of until too late.
To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer.
Pocketnow has posted their review of Wisbar Advanced 2.0 if you need someone else's .02 cents The Good
• Customizeable on multiple levels
• Great looking interface
• Increases productivity through proper application management The Bad
• Default sounds can be a tad annoying after a while
• No in-application help to help first time users
• Can only be purchased via PayPal (at the time of this review)
My only problem with Wisbar 2 is with my HP6315 Phone Edition - I lose most of the phone specific stuff off of the top bar. When I click on 'Connectivity' I only see "Turn On Wifi'. I don't see 'Connect GPRS'. I also don't see the option for Phone volume on the volume control button. I have to exit Wisbar in order to connect to GPRS each time.
S.
i recently got a IPAQ rx3315 for a christmas gift. I just installed wisbar 2.0 and now i cannot get to my contacts area. I dont know if anyone else out there is pocketPC land has had this problem, and if you had your help would be thankful.
I see no way bit Wisbar could actually do something to prevent you from getting into your contacts...you can always exit out of Wisbar and see if you can then access your contacts
I recently purchased an Asus MyPal 730W. I was running Pocket Plus and Pocket Breeze without trouble. I was reading post about today screen plug-ins and how they may effect perfomance. I was an old of WisBar but removed it after purchasing Pocket Plus. I uninstalled Pocket Plus and Pocket Breeze and purhased and installed WisBar Advance 2 into my main RAM. My PPC began to crawl. I tried different configurations and re-installing WisBar. No improvement. I had my first crash that required a hard reset but I can not say that it was directly due to WisBar. I have since removed WisBar and reinstalled Pocket Plus and Pocket Breeze. My Asus is running much better.
I really like being able to close a program just by tapping and holding the icon, whether it is active or not.
, not just 2 
. AND the clock+date option doesn't take half the bar real estate either 
.
it looks like ther's a bug in WimpBarAdv2 that prevents uninstalling it, and worst I can't uninstall any other program NOW. Indeed when I access the Remove Program standard procedure from Settings, the Remove button is replaced by the text "Switcher Bar !" 
AND you can put another icon if you don't like it :P.
Linear Mode
