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Got some news? Wanna see it in LSWeekly? Well, shoot me a mail at
demigod@meganet.net with the subject LSWeekly-News and I'll post
it in the letter.

Got a complaint? Got a compliment?  Got an idea? I'm open to all rants
and raves.  Send me a mail at demigod@meganet.net, any subject,
and tell me what you think.  I will personally reply to all e-mails
sent.

  LSWEEKLY LiteStep Related News 29.04.00 - 05.05.00
 ----------------------------------------------------

	Well seeing as over the past two weeks I've blasted away at the
dev team with both barrels, it's time that I turn my attentions back to 
the community, or lack there of.  I had a good discussion with NeXTer
and some others in #ls_help last Friday and I came to a few conclusions
about the LS community.  First off is that, like me, we take the
programs for granted.  Instead of thanking them for there work, we
constantly whine and complain when either something doesn't work or a
feature isn't added that we want, myself included.  Second is the petty
in fighting that is going on on an almost constant basis.  What is with
this anyway?  What kind of a community are we?  I understand that
different views usually lead to a difference of opinions but we are all
on the same page here are we not?  By looking at some of the fights
that usually go on, I'm not sure anymore.  

	I would love to see a more stable community here.  One that
bolsters the programmers and themers instead of cutting them down.  One
that instead of fighting has intelligent debates.  A good portion of us
considers ourselves geeks and are more than smart enough to hold a 
conversation then to resort to petty name calling.  If we were a more
solid community I think that LiteStep and even other shells would
benefit. These line of thinking can extend to just about any community
or any shell community.  Together we stand, divided we fall.

- demigod

....................................

	Yes, there most certainly is a problem with a few programs.
The interesting thing though, is that none of the dev team member ever
said anything that could be interpreted the way demigod seems to have
done. I more or less suspect that it was our lack of an immediate
response to the issue that brought this on.

	If he had taken the time to research the matter, he'd have 
known that the team is working on a solution, and that we've even
contacted the company behind the program in question. Hopefully we'll
be able to find a solution to this problem within a reasonable amount
of time.

	One of the many reasons for abandoning "the old ways" is that
what we want from LS, is a shell that's easy to use, and as powerful
as possible. It's somewhat like the upgrade from 3.11 to 95, in that
to allow for these changes, the support for /really/ old modules have
to go.

	Let's face it. LiteStep has been more or less stagnant since
the release of 24.0. There has certainly been a lot of addition and
improvements along the way, but nothing really substantial. Anyone
who's tried to install a theme will know how bulky and unwieldy LS is
as a themeing platform. What is about to change, is not only the way
LS loads and runs modules, but also the whole themeing system. For the
first time, LS will actually become /easy/ to theme.

	To allow for this new and improved (gee, do I sound like a soap
ad?) system to work the way we've intended it to, all old modules will
have to be rewritten to support it. Of course, there will be a legacy
layer in the core to support old modules and possibly themes, but LS
has the potential to become so much more.

	And this thing about "..recently taking with its removal of
backward compatibility of older mods...". It's like walking. Without
lifting your feet, you can't keep forward momentum without falling flat
on your nose. One of the reasons for making changes like this, is to
force modules to stay in pace with the development of the shell. If a
module is no longer in development, and you really want to use it, you
can ask the original author for an update, of if he's left the
community (*sniffle*), to release the source, so that some other able
coder can keep the ball rolling.

	With the new system, a lot will change. Perhaps not for the
better in everyone's eyes, but we hope most of the community will like 
the new ways of doing things. There will always be some people who 
doesn't like changes, but isn't that the idea behind this shell
business in the first place? And making LS more friendly to setup and
theme would hopefully help attract more attention to it. Perhaps even
make it The Shell of Choice (like it isn't that already).

	Well, I can't rant on for ages, so I guess I'll end it here
and now.

:: Joachim Calvert / NeXTer ::

....................................

	I would like to make a comment re shellexperts.com the so
called project that started in a blaze of enthusiasm a couple of
months ago.  We all put considerable effort into this when we started,
until the bad feeling that grew out of an attitude problem from one of
the members. The state is now we have no site, and certain people are
taking the same sort of attitude expressed in your last "rant". My
last posting on the list tried to restore the enthusiasm and
comradeship we had previously, the reply was "go away and learn php,
that would show enthusiasm". Frankly such childish remarks need no
answer, as ls becomes more popular (and one UK computer mag
consistently recommends it) more and more non coders or computer
wizards are going to use it. 
	I think the community maybe needs to review its opinion on non
experts-we are here and we will not go away-and with the right
encouragement we may just become the next power users.

Richard J Noakes
icq 32490855

 ....................................................
                   -= Shell Specific =-
 ....................................................

 ---------------------------
      Top News Stories
 ---------------------------

- TimeWarpX Is Back! (14:20 02.05 na)

	While doing my daily look see of new screen shots and themes,
	I ran across a new ss by Time.  Good to have you back!
	From his SS:
	
	"Yes.... After 1 month of completely re-assessing my life, I
	have decided to return to the LS scene, although I wont be
	able to do all of the stuff I originally wanted to(admin ls.org
	for the most part) I will try and do something time permitting.

	"I basically took a months break to try and figure out exactly
	what the hell I was doing, I still don't know everything, but I
	do know that I wish to be a part of the LS scene once again. I
	will try and help out where possible and also work on kick ass
	themes again :)"
	
	url - http://www.litestep.net/sshots.php3?perform=zoom&sid=348
	(source: http://www.litestep.net)

 ---------------------------
          Modules
 ---------------------------

- SysColor 2.0 ~ Message (9:50 01.05 ls)

	SysColor is a mod that allows you to change system colors
	via Bang commands.
	
	New in this version:

	- Rewrote most of the code to be oop, code conforms to lsd2
	  format
	- Added two new bang commands:
		o !SCWriteColors <Section name>
		  Writes your color scheme to an ini file, if no
		  section name is specified, defaults to "SYSCOLOR"
		o !SCReadColors <Section name>
		  Reads your color schem from an ini file, if no
		  section name is specified, defaults to "SYSCOLOR"
	- Added new step.rc command:
		o SCIniFile
		  Specifies the ini (has to be an ini file) for
		  Syscolor to read/write color schemes to, if this is
		  not set Syscolor defaults to modules.ini

	url - http://www.mindjunction.com/message)
	e-mail - message@litestep.net
	(source: http://floach.pimpin.net)

                           +---------------+

- TextEdit 1.3 ~ WhiteShadow (9:54 01.05 ls)

	TextEdit is a Litestep module that allows you to edit text
	files using LS bang commands.
	
	New in this version:

	- Changed !textadd to !textappend
	- Added !textinsert
	- Added !textreplace
	- Added !textcomment and !textsetcommentchar
	- Added TextNotCaseSensitive

	url - http://www.muohio.edu/~changty/
	e-mail - changty@muohio.edu
	(source: http://www.muohio.edu/~changty/)

                           +---------------+

- grdTray 2.2 b1 ~ gustav (9:09 02.05 ls)

	A heavily modified version of Maduins systray.dll that works
	fully with the newer dev builds.
	
	New in this version:
	
	- the tray can now be docked as a wharf tile. (NeXTer's request,
	  don't know if anyone else likes it)
	- fixed a GDI-leak, which makes grdTray the only tray which
	  doesn't leak any resources whatsoever.
	- changed the painting routine to consume less of your CPU's
	  power.

	url - http://home.swipnet.se/grd/ls/
	e-mail - grd@swipnet.se
	(source: LS Mailing List ~ grdTray, going from "god" to...)

                           +---------------+

- ModuleBox .41 ~ jugg (9:14 02.05 ls)

	"Its full useful functionality consists of loading and
	unloading LiteStep modules by dragging and dropping
	them on the "box" which this Module creates."
	
	New in version .41:
	
	+ Added this Readme File and Webpage
	+ Added pseudo transparency if the BGColor is set
    	  to FF00FF (Great Pink (tm)).
	! Fixed zOrder functionality.
  	! Fixed ModuleBox from crashing when itself
    	  (modulebox.dll) was dragged ontop itself to be
    	  unloaded. It now unloads correctly.
	^ Cleaned up some code.
	
	%%UPDATE%% (11:14 04.05)
	
	- Fixed problem with !ModBoxzOrder

	url - http://jugg.logicpd.com/
	e-mail - jugg@earthling.net
	(source: http://jugg.logicpd.com/)

                           +---------------+

- tasks .89 ~ jugg (10:13 05.05 ls)

	Tasks.dll is a completely customizable tasks manager that
	supports popups options and other very useful functions.
	
	New in this build:

	- Added TasksDisplay
	- Added TaskszOrder
	- Added TasksTransparency
	- Added TasksTitleItalicize
	- TasksTitleMinItalicize
	- TasksTitleSelItalicize
	- Added TasksMButton1
	- Added !TasksDisplay
	- !TasksDockWindow
	- !TaskszOrder
	- !TasksMinimize
	- !TasksMaximize
	- !TasksRestore 
	- Removed TasksOnlySelected
	- Removed TasksOnlyMinimized
	- Removed TasksHideMinimized
	- Removed TasksNoTransparency
	- Removed TasksEnableTrueTransparency
	- Removed TasksHideOnClick
	- Removed !TasksOnBottom
	- !TasksOnTop
	- Fixed internal update timer.
	- Fixed more tasklist problems.
	- Fixed mouse-click interaction with Tiles.
	- Fixed in its entirety the Focus bug.
	- Fixed a bug in dragging code while using "TasksMoveAll"
	- Fixed "!TasksSwitch" from crashing.
	- Fixed memory corruption potential in all !bang commands,
	  while using an old build of LiteStep.
	- Fixed resource leak on quit/recycle.
	- Changed "TasksWrapCount" to accept "-1" to enable Auto Wrap
	  at screen edge. Use "0" to disable all wrapping.
	- Changed Tile drag to support Auto Wrap.
	- Changed "!TasksMove" to support Auto Wrap.
	- Changed all movement code to keep Tiles on screen. Now Tiles
	  will only go off screen if manually set to do so. 
	- Other misc cleanup. There is a lot of changes in this build,
	  and more underway. Please read the "NOTES" section for more
	  info.

	url - http://jugg.logicpd.com/
	e-mail - jugg@earthling.net
	(source: http://jugg.logicpd.com/)

 ---------------------------
          Web Sites
 ---------------------------

- LiteStep2000 Back Up ~ jalist (14:21 02.05 ls)

	After receiving alot of e-mail jalist has decided to reopen
	ls2000 with some help.  Keep an eye on the site for a new
	design.  Glad you decided to keep at it!
	
	url - http://www.chunkymunky.com/hosted/litestep2000
	e-mail - jalist@litestep2000.co.uk
	(source: http://www.chunkymunky.com/hosted/litestep2000

 ---------------------------
          Programs
 ---------------------------

- LSDrinks 2.10.0 ~ nf0 (11:15 04.05 na)

	This is a perl based news grabber.  You need to have perl
	installed on your machine to run this.
	
	New in this version:
	
	- Added: Tekreview
	- Added: Everything But Gaming
	- Added: Aint it cool news.
	- Added: EPOC News

	url - http://www.10500bc.org/lsDrinks/index.htm
	e-mail - nf0@10500bc.org
	(source: http://floach.pimpin.net)
	
 ---------------------------
      Glossary Of Terms
 ---------------------------

- shell
	A shell is your GUI (Graphical User Interface)  Windows basic
	shell is explorer and it includes the start button, taskbar,
	and so on.  DarkStep and LiteStep are alternative shells that
	replaces the basic Windows GUI with a more configurable, stable,
	and all around more pleasing GUI.

....................................

 ----
 Tips
 ----

- Newbie Tip
	If you install a shell wrong, when you boot up you will get an
	error saying that it cannot load windows and that you need to 
	reinstall.  This is of course not true.  Simple reboot and hit
	F8 to get to the system boot menu.  Choose command line.  When
	the prompt comes up goto your windows dir and type:
	edit system.ini.  In the dos editor go down to the shell= line
	and either type in the correct path for the shell or change it
	to shell=Explorer.exe.  Save the file and reboot.

- Advanced Tip
	Strangest this when I see themes being created is the lack of
	other programs in the theme.  You can add in other programs
	and usually they don't impact speed too much.  CN2, WinPanel, 
	and other executables make for great replacements for long and
	drawn out shortcutgroups.  I realize that this isn't really an
	advanced tip but just kind of a reminder.

 ....................................................
                 -= Beyond the Shell =-
 ....................................................

 ---------------------------
  Tweaking Beyond the Shell
 ---------------------------

- Startbutton Tiles

  This is an oldie but goodie.  Change the Start button to say what
  ever you want.  For this hack I used uedit32 as usual.
  
  Step 1 - Start your hex editor and open Explorer.exe. This file can
           be found in your \windows dir.
  Step 2 - Goto Search, Replace, and put 53 00 74 00 61 00 72 00 74 in
           the Find What box and put the hex of your new tiles in the
           Replace With box. (*Note* To find out what the hex is of
           your new tiles goto File, New and type in what you want
           your start button to say. Then goto Edit, Hex Edit and see
           what the hex is. Remember to put 00 between each hex value.
           If you want your tiles to be less than five letters use 00
           to make up the difference.)
  Step 4 - Goto Save, and choose Save.
  Step 5 - Reboot your system.

 ---------------------------
         Interesting
 ---------------------------
 
- Geekboys.org
 
  This is a news site that you can cater to your likings.  With a
  set of close to 100 different sites to choose from, you can make
  a specialized page that just displays the news you want.  From Mac
  news to linux, to custo, to BeOS, it has it all.  If this sounds
  interesting to you goto http://www.geekboys.org and setup and 
  account.
 
....................................

 -------------
 Latest Builds
 -------------
- LiteStep
     o Stable - b24.6 build 041700
 
     o Daily - b24.6 build 041700
	Modified [LSAPI, Desktop2 / NeXTer / 04-17-00]
  		o LSAPI:
  		o Merged new code for merging images in LoadLSImage().
    		  Thank's to Gustav Munkby (grd) for the new code.
  		o Removed some old junk.
  		o Added the struct Message for passing messages from
    		  the WndProc to the actual message handlers.
  		o Desktop2:
  		o Began a slight revision, to make this piece of code
    		  adhere to a "standard style" that can be used in the
    		  future.

 	Modified [Desktop2 / NeXTer / 04-17-00]
  		o The code is now almost crystal clear, if we can apply
    		  this structure to the other modules, much will have
    		  been achieved.

 	Fixed [LSAPI / NeXTer / 04-17-00]
  		o ParseBangCommand() didn't parse the information
    		  correctly if NULL was being passed as the argument
    		  for the bang command.
  		o Also fixed a memory leak in the same function, for
    		  good measure.

       
- DarkStep
     o Beta - 0.970pr2
	+ Fixed !bang commands registered by any LS module not working
	+ Fixed the "Loaded Modules" dialog causing DS to crash when no
	  modules were loaded (thanks for finding this bug and all your 
	  excellent suggestions jugg!!) 
	+ Changed the Console code so that any setting changes would
	  take effect immediately 
	+ Fixed minor Console editing annoyances such as not being
	  able to use left/right arrow keys

 ....................................

 -------------
 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

- DarkStep
	To subscribe, e-mail: darkstep-subscribe@egroups.com
	To unsubscribe, e-mail: darkstep-unsubscribe@egroups.com

....................................

 ------
 Errata
 ------
 
 Last week I had V2OS in the Intresting section and totally forgot to
 put in the url.   The url is http://www.v2os.cx.