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laushung — UserTile Program

Published: 2011-04-09 06:47:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 33266; Favourites: 111; Downloads: 10564
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Description Recently, I saw Solo-Dev and Stealth2010 take on the new UserTile feature that will be in Windows 8.

This was basically a proof-of-concept in adding controls to the taskbar using C#. As I've never done this, I thought it'd be a great learning exercise.

I like what they have there but it's missing so much. My concept pulls your entire online persona into one place. This will include things like your Facebook and Windows Live Messenger statuses, Twitter, email, all of the things that make you on the net.

Receive updates and keep in touch with everyone without having to open multiple windows.

You only need to set your status once and it'll get pushed to all of your online services.

====

Where we are at the moment:

- As you can now see, the user tile fits into the taskbar properly! No more overlapping the clock!!

- It's dual screen aware. There isn't any worry having multiple displays. It'll always appear in taskbar.

- It's taskbar-position aware. It doesn't matter where the taskbar is. It'll always display correctly in the corner.

- It automatically grabs the display picture from either the system account or Windows Live Messenger. It can also display the motion display pictures found in the WLM 2010.

There's still a lot more to do. The biggest thing on the todo list is:

- Adding a 'Connected Online Services' framework. Basically pull info from the internet. Planned services will be Facebook, Twitter, Skype, as well as, email and Windows Live Messenger.

I'll be updating this as we progress.

Check out a preview of the Extended Information Dialog showing recent activities here: [link]

====

*The attached zip file is now a PRE-ALPHA version for those that want to try it.

- The majority of the Connected Online Services are missing - only Windows Live Messenger is available.

- The Setting window is completely unfinished.

- There is a possible memory leak.

- The 'Switch user' feature may or may not work fully.

- You must be running Windows Live Messenger BEFORE you run UserTile. Otherwise you will get an error message.

While this build will not set your computer on fire, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! If you happen to lose your system tray for any reason, just hit Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open the Task Manager. This will reset your system tray.

Please send any bug reports to four13designs@optusnet.com.au with "UserTile Support" in the message title. It'll be easier to track these issues.
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Comments: 193

Efippos [2021-11-14 13:52:10 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

thenicethememan [2020-05-09 16:03:46 +0000 UTC]

it didnt work on wlm 8.1!!!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FuckYouDeviantart70 In reply to thenicethememan [2020-12-21 12:03:09 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

jhenanne [2014-11-17 03:47:40 +0000 UTC]

hi, any plans on sharing the source? I've been searching years for this and have not yet found a working code on "adding working programs on taskbar" as this was already omitted on vista to pave way for Thumbnails.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

LuanTeles [2014-03-25 04:05:04 +0000 UTC]

please update

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Ranggirahman [2013-02-03 08:51:10 +0000 UTC]

flashing if i click "show hidden icons" , please fix it buddy

but it's great job man keep work

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

lSiNl [2012-12-02 01:54:51 +0000 UTC]

can u remake this app? integrate it with windows 8.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to lSiNl [2012-12-03 07:57:04 +0000 UTC]

This app should be considered abandonware. I have no plans to revisit it at this time.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

lSiNl In reply to laushung [2012-12-04 04:00:02 +0000 UTC]

it really nice software. u should revisit it if u got free time

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Psych0HoliC [2012-01-30 14:43:36 +0000 UTC]

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Length cannot be less than zero.
Parameter name: length
at System.String.InternalSubStringWithChecks(Int32 startIndex, Int32 length, Boolean fAlwaysCopy)
at UserTile.Helper.Paths.GetUserTilePath() in C:\Users\Calvin\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\UserTile\UserTile\Helper\Paths.cs:line 22
at UserTile.Main.SetUserTile() in C:\Users\Calvin\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\UserTile\UserTile\Main.cs:line 212
at UserTile.Main.timer1_Tick(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Users\Calvin\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\UserTile\UserTile\Main.cs:line 234
at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.OnTick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.TimerNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.239 (RTMGDR.030319-2300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
UserTile
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/UserTile/UserTile.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.235 built by: RTMGDR
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.236 built by: RTMGDR
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
VistaControls
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/UserTile/VistaControls.DLL
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.CSharp
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.CSharp/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.CSharp.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.233 built by: RTMGDR
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 (RTMRel.030319-0100)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.233 built by: RTMGDR
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Dynamic
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Dynamic/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Dynamic.dll
----------------------------------------
Anonymously Hosted DynamicMethods Assembly
Assembly Version: 0.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.239 (RTMGDR.030319-2300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_32/mscorlib/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:





When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

;-------------

i get this and no way to open the program

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

rcmero In reply to Psych0HoliC [2012-02-06 10:28:20 +0000 UTC]

I get this erro too, unfortunately.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

cordova96 [2011-12-08 13:25:16 +0000 UTC]

cool man !

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

wango911 [2011-11-08 00:55:28 +0000 UTC]

Cool, the only bug I've noticed so far is when you click on the arrow to display the running programs in the taskbar, the usertile app quick appears and disappears, for me it's a bit annoying, but I don't know if it's a serious problem.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to wango911 [2011-11-08 23:04:32 +0000 UTC]

It's refresh problem - one that I wasn't able to solve. The program has to calculate the width of the system tray and adjust it accordingly. Best case scenario would be to enable "Always show all icons and notifications".

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

RXSlore [2011-10-14 08:34:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!! It's really nice.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

mattish-91 [2011-09-09 15:43:00 +0000 UTC]

Would be great if you could separate the settings window from the tray picture, if i set to auto start this program the settings window will show up every time i start so is it posible?

Great regards Mattias Magnusson

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

rcmero [2011-09-02 19:12:02 +0000 UTC]

When I run the program it doesn't seem to get an image - it just shows the IE red X.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

speaker-60 [2011-08-25 22:40:29 +0000 UTC]

hows this update coming along?
this will be epic when its done

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

speaker-60 In reply to speaker-60 [2011-08-26 01:28:54 +0000 UTC]

from using the current beta, the user tile looks a little small to me could you ether make it bigger so it just about fits in the taskbar or give us an option to adjust the size please

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Quaz1957 [2011-08-25 17:06:38 +0000 UTC]

lau - "hey friend !! - i've been preparing a "metro segment" for a write review for creativx.net for a few months now and requesting your permission to include some of your works in the review - it won't be for a few day's as i'll be waiting for everyones "permission requests" to come in - will be an awesome review and your invited to come visit to view and read - the main idea is to showcase brilliant works by contemporary designers and help educate members worldwide about metro - ill also have prepared the same for "windows 8" - so, would very much appreciate your permission and designers will get full credit for their goods - looking forward to all prospective permissions - many thank's friend !!"

sincerely, max

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

FloraCherry [2011-08-21 01:48:45 +0000 UTC]

wow nice app i like it :3

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to FloraCherry [2011-08-21 11:25:30 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. I hope to find time to revisit it to finish it properly.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FloraCherry In reply to laushung [2011-08-24 05:58:46 +0000 UTC]

it no finished ? O,O

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to FloraCherry [2011-08-24 07:42:45 +0000 UTC]

No, not even close. I just haven't had time to finish it. Read the description to see what is planned.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FloraCherry In reply to laushung [2011-08-24 20:30:56 +0000 UTC]

ohhh i see finished the plz >_<

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

wevoz [2011-08-19 19:22:22 +0000 UTC]

good job, but does not work when I ran it, my MSN was off, now I get a message from Microsoft. NET Framework, please help me

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to wevoz [2011-08-19 19:25:35 +0000 UTC]

You said Windows Live Messenger wasn't running when you started the program. Well there's the problem right there. As you would have noticed in the description, WLM must be running in order for this to work. It's clearly stated. This is an alpha release and as alpha releases go, some / most things aren't completely finished - this being one of them.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

wevoz In reply to laushung [2011-08-20 05:07:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for replying, I think I can do nothing about it, I'll wait for the beta release. By the way, excellent work, best wishes! From Mexico

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

AHylianHuman [2011-08-15 03:35:19 +0000 UTC]

Unfortunately, I can't seem to get this to work.
Windows 7 SP1 x64, .NET Framework 4 definitely installed.

I keep getting this error: [link]

If I click Contine, the same error pops up endlessly, until I click Quit.
I tried with Windows Live Messenger both started and not started before, with and without UAC... Nothing seems to work.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Vishal-Gupta [2011-07-30 11:10:37 +0000 UTC]

Very nice work Featured - [link]

Thanks.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

astroX10 [2011-07-16 14:56:01 +0000 UTC]

Any updates about this awesome project?

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

abu46 [2011-06-19 03:11:47 +0000 UTC]

plz add sleep and shutdown options too

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Quaz1957 [2011-06-16 05:04:54 +0000 UTC]

lshung - "this is brilliant !! - thank's a million my friend - i will appreciate & enjoy this very much - you thought this app out very well for everyone - many thank's, your a genius !!"

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

chanthutshamsu [2011-05-28 04:13:29 +0000 UTC]

Any more updates on the next version's release date?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to chanthutshamsu [2011-05-28 14:18:36 +0000 UTC]

Haven't had much time to work on it lately but will try to find some time in the near future.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

abu46 In reply to laushung [2011-06-05 13:38:15 +0000 UTC]

plz do, waiting.....................

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

ghoster76 [2011-05-25 10:43:32 +0000 UTC]

I have "Program stopped working"

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: CLR20r3
Problem Signature 01: usertile.exe
Problem Signature 02: 1.0.0.0
Problem Signature 03: 4da94486
Problem Signature 04: mscorlib
Problem Signature 05: 4.0.0.0
Problem Signature 06: 4d53693b
Problem Signature 07: 105d
Problem Signature 08: 1c
Problem Signature 09: PSZQOADHX1U5ZAHBHOHGHLDGIY4QIXHX
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 0a9e
Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Additional Information 3: 0a9e
Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789

Read our privacy statement online:
[link]

If the online privacy statement is not available, please read our privacy statement offline:
C:\Windows\system32\en-US\erofflps.txt

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

blackboy993 [2011-05-25 05:41:12 +0000 UTC]

very nice, but it hangs about 5 secs every time I clicked it

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

SchnuffelKuschel [2011-05-17 01:53:52 +0000 UTC]

It looks very good, but it doesn't start on a 64 bit system.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

RamonXick [2011-05-14 17:01:11 +0000 UTC]

hang on my machine.. T^T

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to RamonXick [2011-05-14 17:07:13 +0000 UTC]

Can you expand upon that a little more? Maybe offer some details other than 'it hangs'. The system you're using, the version of Windows, what version of .net installed, any error messages you might have received, when did it hang - at startup or some time while it was running, what were you doing when it crashed? These kinds of things are more important in helping you than simply saying it hangs and without it I cannot possibly narrow down the possible reasons why it might have.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

maikkkk [2011-05-13 14:14:28 +0000 UTC]

hey when i exit wlm it will started. its by the program. can u pls delete the function? thanks

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to maikkkk [2011-05-13 14:29:42 +0000 UTC]

The version currently available 'requires' Windows Live Messenger. If it's not running you will get an error. You're better off quiting UserTile if you don't want WLM to restart.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

maikkkk In reply to laushung [2011-05-13 18:17:52 +0000 UTC]

mhh.. but not possible for new release?

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

abu46 [2011-05-10 14:57:45 +0000 UTC]

this is a great little prog. indeed
but live messenger prerequisite is a no go for me, hope final ver. dosent require this

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to abu46 [2011-05-10 17:24:38 +0000 UTC]

Check the description...Windows Live Messenger is only a prerequisite for the pre-Alpha release. The final version will work perfectly fine without it. I'm happy you liked it though.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

abu46 In reply to laushung [2011-05-11 02:10:08 +0000 UTC]

lukin fwd for the final release ...

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

SpringsTS [2011-05-10 14:55:37 +0000 UTC]

Positive points:
_ The avatar stay in taskbar regardless of its position on the screen. Good work!
_ More stable than another similar software I found to show user picture on taskbar like Windows 8. Here the picture doesn't recover the clock.
_ Looks better than the current Windows 8 feature.

Negative points:
_ Crash if I enable WLM service when I'm not connected to Messenger
_ The program cannot show my avatars: red cross if I choose the WLM avatar, and the default Windows 7 user picture if I choose my local user picture (which is not the same).

I'm using Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit. My system is French.
Do you want French translations?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

laushung In reply to SpringsTS [2011-05-10 17:27:11 +0000 UTC]

I'll worry about translations when I get a little closer to a final release. I thank you for taking the time to give some feedback. I have fixed the way UserTile retrieves the user picture so that should be fixed. Regarding the WLM avatar, it's probably due to your system language being French. I'll have to look into it further though.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

SpringsTS In reply to laushung [2011-05-11 14:46:36 +0000 UTC]

I already had a beta software which didn't work because it was only compatible with English systems (or at least systems which uses English date format). So everything is possible...

👍: 0 ⏩: 0


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