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ANNOUNCEMENT:

Project Anolis is up in CodePlex. Check it out at http://www.codeplex.com/anolis .

W3bbo is busy working on things now, but I'm sure that he will be able to work out the code more in the coming weeks.

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EDIT- XPero has stickied this discussion, so I guess I should make some major edits ...


So, XPero has given us (as in those interested from MSFN and elsewhere) permission to continue his XPize and Vize works. As far as I know, I don't think people have actually begun edits and stuff, but there is interest in it, and I guess that's all we need (and a little organization).




There are many people who are showing interest in helping this project come to light. Some, like me, W3bbo, doomangel, ricktendo64, Innocent Devil, and others wish to contribute.

Now we need an organized structure (how will this work: nominations? voting? requests?):

Host: XPero (though he has resigned from the main project, he is willing to host our continuation on his sites)

Project Heads: It's more like coordinators now: Happy-Dude // W3bbo // XPero

Developers/ Coders/ Programmers: W3bbo (more XPize based) // doomangel (I believe, more Vize based)

Designers/ Artists/ Contributors to make new high quality icons and resources: ?? We are now trying to get designers that make third party XPize packs to help out with our new **EXTENSIBLE** architecture; note: subject to change

Contributors that will help find "old icons" (low quality icons and icons that don't fit with the main OS themes) that Microsoft forgot about: ?? (Yeah, you get the drift.)

I'm guessing this project is transparent, so for those who want to help, but don't want to have a lot of responsibility, can just help find old icons from time to time. But I must ask those people to have installed XPize/ Vize in order to not report visuals that are already changed.

Any other positions that should be made? What do you guys think? Does anyone wish to be the serious organizer (I can do it if people don't mind, but things might change as school comes near; junior year is going to be hard ...)


THINGS THAT NEED TO BE ATTENDED TO: ellipses mean that there was more to the post


Now, for the other stuff, which I don't believe we've planned out just yet (also, should we have a separate section for Vize?):

MISSION/ GOALS:

FEATURE REQUESTS:

All are subject to change

-- New extensible architecture
-- XPize with SP3 support and x64
-- Combining of contents from previous installers, not the redundancies, but subject to change since we need the old source

BUGS:

XPize
-Some eratic problems with SP3 compatibility (W3bbo is even considering to add XPx64 compatibility smile.gif )
-Shell32.dll Reloader bug (dunno if we can fix)
-Compatibility with PowerDVD
-Visual Studio 2003 .NET compatibility
-compatibility with some explorer.exe resources
-compatibility with Asian languages pack and memory allocation
-supporting the older code branch (4.7b and before) and .NET (.1a) or manipulating them together
-uninstall fails to completely restore original visual settings (like icon sizes)
-compatibility issue with Stardock ---> DO NOT install XPize if stardock is installed

Vize
**Plenty of problems reported by Long Zheng's UI Taskforce (http://www.istartedsomething.com/taskforce/), many of which Vize attends to. However, they are definitely more that needs to get by. Anyone know which ones? (I don't run Vista, so I don't know a lot here sleep.gif ).
-%ProgramFiles% or spaces in path bug (this is fixed in doomangel's KDE patcher, which is a project based on the Vize code)

FIXES:

THINGS BEING WORKED ON/ IMPROVED SINCE FIRST REPORTs:














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Below is my original post about the project continuation:
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I'm just curious if anyone is interested in continuing XPero's XPize and Vize projects, perhaps under the same name (so the MSFN admins don't have to create different boards for each individually inspired projects).

His source codes have been released for both projects here: http://cid-a4b0f9235271a2fa.skydrive.live....wse.aspx/Source

I am definitely going to look at the source codes out of curiousity. Unfortunately, I know very little about programming, let alone software programming ... But I am willing to learn the trade !!( I'm currently reading up on C and will be taking Java classes after the summer. I am also reading up on some hacking techniques [wishing to learn what makes programs tick and how to make 'em better]. Will that help in any way?)

So, how about it? Anyone interested? Pleasee ? To me, a team is better than having everything put onto the shoulders of one developer, and perhaps can push the potential of the project even further. So, what 'cha guys thinking ?

This post has been edited by Happy-Dude: Aug 20 2008, 08:29 AM

Hello Dude

I'm also sad of XPero's decision but - read below...

First the sourcecode of XPize/ Vize is based on C#
Older (?) XPize derived projects were based on earlier branch of completly different coding language.

Now we need people they are (good) able of CSharp if we want to use the actual sources!

These decisions do we need to make:

- Want we support the older code branch (See sourcecode of the older XPize/ the XIS)?
- Should it be a team of several people working with the sources we now have?


CRYING around the msfn board: No one here who can go further with XPize/ Vize?
I am NOT a developer using their coding language...

As i consider to create patchers with other language i COULD do the fancy but...

Bye,
Chris

This post has been edited by ChrisKuhli: Jul 15 2008, 01:02 PM

Hello.

The truth is that I do not know nothing of C But would be able to collaborate if himself nonstop with NSIS's old code to as which dominate to perfection.

Good guy, Let's hope that the XPero in relation to q says to Let's continue project.

Oh yes of course, let's continue the project I can host and publish them on the official websites.

I've working in a project based on vize code for a month now and what i have done is some minor changes or additions to the codebase. i don't think the code needs improvement, if we could create a team our main goal should be to discover all the non vista or non xp icons and replace the resources.

Now that! I can help with

Am I what you're looking for?

I've been using XPize since (well... just after) the beginning and I've been following it ever since. I am disappointed in XPero's departure, but that doesn't mean the project can't live on.

I know 3 of the 4 main 'C's: C, C++, and C# (but not ObjC... but that's irrelevant ) and I'm familar with the Win32 API.

As for project home, I haven't had much of a good experience with Sourceforge lately (and connecting to their CVS can be a b***h at times). Might I recommend CodePlex or Google Code instead?

I'd also love to code in support for XP x64 and first-class support for XP SP3. Whilst my Photoshop and Illustrator skills are "above average" I'm nowhere near the ability required to create new artwork though.

I don't think the project needs a "team" of developers; just one or two would do just fine (too many chefs spoil the soup, so to speak) as it is just a utility program. Personally, I'd like to see the project written in C/C++ since it reduces dependencies on .NET, but I'm easy either way and I think the pragmatic choice is continuing with the current code base (so long as it is a spaghetti pile of anonymous methods, delegates, and fails FxCop spectacularly)

EDIT: And if there's any questioning of my credentials, I'm the guy who leaked Royale Noir to Long Zheng

This post has been edited by W3bbp: Jul 17 2008, 12:20 PM

I would like but very little programming. Only C, Java and Python. More or less

Better to split the tasks to accomplish
1. finding Classic Resources in XP/Vista
2.Making hi-Q resources to replace them
3.build the nacessary tools to replace it

I personally prefer the new .NET code of XPize/Vize (though I dunno C#, any way)
it is simple for the *User* to do th *THING*

we need to brush up the code to make it a more general patcher .
with the resources and correspondin scripts it can XPize/Vize any supported win version

AFAIK the Vize is almost stable, XPize it little problematic though (.NET versions)

sombody knows C# should take care of the coding department
same follws for photoshop/GIMP to make resources
finding classic resources is not a problem with board like MSFN with huge userbase
---
thanx

just ask yourselves what more you'd wanted xpize/vize todo and we'll build a wishlist, we'll see what is possible and what is not and i think that we always could ask xpero for a little help.

I hate to act unilaterally or anything.... but if everyone's cool, shall I go ahead and create the CodePlex project this weekend, dump everything there, and take it from there?

EDIT: Oh Xpero, I've re-added you to my contact list (using the messenger address I used to talk to you with back in 2005, is it still valid?), are you on it much?

This post has been edited by W3bbp: Jul 17 2008, 05:29 PM

i hope you guys dont underestimate the work involved with this stuff...

as a maker of a shellpack, and someone that has used the xpize source for about a year and a half or so
i can guarenty you it will take over your free time

just that you know.

Damian666

I looked a bit at the source code, but as I see it still uses Reshack to do resource modifications. It will not be hard to alter these scripts. I also use Reshack scripts to build Nero Lite.
I don't use XPize personally at the moment, but I keep the source code for now. Some parts might be useful.

oh, its not the reshack script...
its all of it together

but this project deserves it so

Damian666

@ W3bbp

Check your PM inbox

This is great, guys !!

Alright, so first things are to organize this "team" into groups (I think it should be volunteers):

--Programmers/ Coders/ Source Code editors for the program itself
As pointed out before, we should have a few, maybe like 2-3 (or more if they desire), so the project can be organized and smooth going, while also not putting so much pressure into a single developer

--Designers/ Artists for high-quality new icons to replace the old icons
I think we need to find some dedicated artists for this, maybe some at deviantart. Also, is there desire for different "styles" other than the ones XPero designed? If so, we should have some artists continue XPero's designs and perhaps others to start something new?

--Volunteers to find old and stubby icons Microsoft forgot about
I think this category will (and perhaps should?) have the most people involved in. We probably should organize the group with a forum post with information on what's corrected, what's discovered, and what is being worked on. A sort of scavenger hunt management thing !!

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Is that all? Is there any need for any other organization stuff? I believe I fit best with the Volunteers group. I am very amuterish with programming, and I think i know my ways around the OS well enough .


As for the hunt for old-style icons, Vize could have perhaps used Long Zheng's UI Taskforce for Windows Vista. Unfortunately, the entire blog is down, along with the taskforce pages. Here's a cached page: http://cc.msnscache.com/cache.aspx?q=73626...a&FORM=CVRE OR http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:tnPZH...;cd=2&gl=us


I do not believe there's something of that sort for Windows XP, so we should get XPize organized. Hopefully, the UI Taskforce will be up eventually and Vize could use that as a Vista starting point.

So, how will this work !!

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For XPize, I believe it's most important to patch the program up to work flawlessly with Windows XP SP3 and to fix up the UXTheme hack. Maybe some stability improvements, too?

Other than that, the program should be going fine, right?

Sorry guys, I don't use Vista (as of now), so I don't know what's up with it. Should we merge the two boards together so we can organize this better? (This discussion is only on the XPize forum, and I'm not sure if Vize users or anyone interested is even viewing it ... ??)

Also, for both programs, we should get a NEEDS & WANTS list. Needs should be what needs to be attended to and fixed. Wants are what the users wish for (perhaps features?).



-----
Should we continue to communicate on the MSFN forums (best choice), or have conversations via IM/PM? I think the forums is best so we can gather and organize information in our own time.

---
to W3bbo: Wow, you discovered the Royale Noir theme for istartedsomething ??!! Nicely done !! I just love that theme, and best of all, no hacking necessary .

Also, do you happen to know what's wrong with IStartedSomething blog? I really wish to read Long Zheng's writing again ...

This post has been edited by Happy-Dude: Jul 19 2008, 08:20 AM

I haven't experienced any stability problems with XPize, except when the occasional Windows Update patch resets the occasional resource file.



Well I'd like to combine everything XPize-related into a single project and installer. Right now I install 3.2 first then the 4.7 Beta so I get all the themes and stuff between them.

The new installer should have everything in it and let users choose between variations on XPize (e.g. the MCE-styled blue one we've come to love or the black one, etc...), with previews, of course.



In the spirit of transparency and openness, stick to forums.



People give me too much credit. I was just the right guy with the right contacts in the right place at the right time.



Long's been busy on student-related activities, as well as being preoccupied with winning the Imagine Cup competition. Whilst he was busy with this his blog's server (provided for free by a friend of his) went down. He hasn't been on Messenger lately, but he knows the server is down. I reckon he's just waiting for it to be rebuilt; give it a few more days.

Great, so this is turning out nicely !!

(To the programmers: I believe that XPero only provided us with the .NET source code, is that right? [Sorry, couldn't check it out myself, eventually, just give me some time.] So, to XPero, can you perhaps provide us with the source codes for all your *last* major versions, like 1.x/2.x/3.x/4.7beta along with your .NET alpha? There are those, W3bbp, that wish to have some of the themes and features included in the earlier versions. Thanks very much.)


Now, we will need to organize this well:

Any volunteer programmers/coders that are willing to dedicate some (perhaps lengthy) hours into working of the source code and new features for the program?
Anyone know some good designers willing to carry out some of the work?
Are there any good contacts that could be made so there can be some extra hands?

What should the guidelines for the project be, be it features, requests, bugs, etc. ?

Alright, so I guess we're communicating through the MSFN forums. I guess we just need to confirm some things with the "heads" of this project, and have a clear direction and mission objective. Any volunteers? Any requests for heads? Any method of selection? As long as this project is confirmed as **continued** and **coming along**, with clear objectives, guidelines, and such, perhaps we should get a sticky going. Just a question, do you prefer to have two separate boards for XPize and Vize? To me, it seems that it would make for sense for the boards to be merged so that there can be a central forum and place for announcements, questions, requests and such. (XPero, once this project is on its way, can you, perhaps, if it isn't too much to ask, sticky some posts and stuff? Thanks a lot.)

ALRIGHT !! Let's get this thing going. Who's in, who wants to be one of the "heads," and how shall we begin? Post back, everyone !!


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Off Topic:
Ah, W3bbo, found a "continuation" of Long Zheng's blog. Instead of generally stuff, he is more focused of the Imagine Cup development. http://longstudio3.wordpress.com/ ;; Kudos to him and his team !!

This post has been edited by Happy-Dude: Jul 19 2008, 08:20 AM

so this is going seriously, ah? icon resources there is no need to be created. just extracted from the right locations. xpero used the existing vista icons to replace the remaining xp icons. i, for myself, haven't used the new xpize.net. i'm talking just for vize.

I believe than the projects they must take a degree
XPize
XPize.net
For my right now part in agreement with XPero that I will go for modifying XPize code in order that he be compatible with NSIS 2.38

And the improvements that I propose for the moment and I can do for this code 4.6 is:

- Compatibility
- Multilanguaje Support
- InstallerSystemFiles*.nsi and UninstallerSystemFiles*.nsi in one file (In a Macro)
- XPize 4.*.* - Source Full and Lite in an alone code.
- NSIS MUI2
- various improvements


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And I am for Vize, XPize.net voluntary making installers And the ones that he have.