Early Feedback on Start Menu Extender

[briangw]

Seems to be working fine here, maybe try again?

This might be on my end. I'll try from home

[Aethec]

Doesn't work on my system :(

Win7 x64 (it's an English version with a French language pack)...I tried restarting explorer.exe (via the ctrl+shift+right click on Start Menu method), but nothing happens when I write 1+1 in my Start Menu.

[the_architect]

Doesn't work on my system :(

Win7 x64 (it's an English version with a French language pack)...I tried restarting explorer.exe (via the ctrl+shift+right click on Start Menu method), but nothing happens when I write 1+1 in my Start Menu.

I have heard from others who have other language packs installed and are having issues, I'll investigate when I have the chance. Also, when working correctly, there should be no need to restart explorer.

[evacchi]

I have heard from others who have other language packs installed and are having issues, I'll investigate when I have the chance. Also, when working correctly, there should be no need to restart explorer.

I have issues too, win7 x64, english language, with italian locale.

Screeny of the error

Full text

If I click continue, this is what I get ;

also my taskbar is usually docked to the right side of the screen... are you paining an overlay at a fixed offset? :blink:

btw, it's a great idea, I've been searching for something like this for ages now (I don't want launchy or anything like that, I have already a perfectly fine tool in the start menu)

[the_architect]

also my taskbar is usually docked to the right side of the screen... are you paining an overlay at a fixed offset? :blink:

In this version, it takes it's location based on the assumption that the task bar is down the bottom of the screen. This is already fixed in subsequent builds.

I'm glad you like the idea, I'm slowly making progress in my spare time.

Thanks for the error info, also.

[andrew_]

Any more progress on this app? Pinging again to open the source so I can contribute :)

[bdsams Veteran]

this is areally cool project, dont let it die!

[andrew_]

And it looks like this has died an untimely death as well. There was recently an article on slashdot about how many small apps die because they get abandoned and don't go open source. Unless the author wanted to monetize this at some point, he should have opened this up for the community to have at. Major bummer, this was looking solid.

[Aethec]

Well, there is Reflector...its output is not pleasing to look at, but it might give an idea to other developpers who want to do the same.

[andrew_]

I looked at it through reflector early on, but the author chose to obfuscate it. Actually spoke with him about that, but he indicated he didn't want the source out there for everyone to see. It's incredibly time consuming to work through obfuscated code.

I know the gist of how the program was put together, but it would be a shame to have to duplicate the same effort, especially (although not likely) if the author has been making progress. I've been waiting to see if Windows 8 provided any of the same functionality before I jump in and rewrite this. I also loathe writing text parsers (which is what's required to figure out if you've typed a calculation or some such) and that's an aspect that's been holding me up.

[the_architect]

Hi guys - I haven't had the time to check back here in a while. However, I have made a fair bit of progress since this release, but not up to a stage where I think it's ready to be open sourced or another release put up just yet.

I would like to see it progress faster, just unfortunately at the moment it's been a long term project due to, of course, other commitments.

[andrew_]

Just checking in again, asking for this to be open sourced so that those of us willing can contribute to it.

[Xerax]

Seems to have a memory leak. Tried to check the code and find it but it's obfuscated so I can't tell you anything more informative then that.

But how? It's coded in .Net.

[fhpuqrgrpgvirzhpujbj]

But how? It's coded in .Net.

It uses native interop.

And even without that you can leak memory in .net if you have cyclic references.

[Xerax]

It uses native interop.

And even without that you can leak memory in .net if you have cyclic references.

Ah, thank you for explaining :).

P.S: I was looking on youtube about the "forth" gel in Portal2, and just noticed i was on your youtube account looking at your videos on it xD. Small world. :p

[andrew_]

I haven't had any luck raising the author via email, neowin or by other means. The source code is obfuscated, so we cant just continue development on this nice little piece of abandonedware.

I'd like to try and gauge interest for a variant/clone (and completely open source) of this project. I've been looking around and there is enough out there that is already open source that could be used to achieve some solid features.

What does everyone think?

[the_architect]

Thanks to those querying the status of this project via email/Neowin, I assure you it hasn't disappeared or stopped! Development is still going and expect to see some more pieces in upcoming weeks

[andrew_]

Looks like a heavy-handed mod struck again. If this reply is going to be removed like the last one, I'd appreciate at least some heads up about it and a reason why.

I'd like to encourage the author to open source this project, as we're coming up on a year now since the last reply from him and no releases since. Let those with the time and willingness to continue the project do so! This was a great concept and should be continued!

[the_architect]

Ah, I almost forgot about this thread. I've finally found some time to work on it, I am currently reworking the plugin infrastructure to allow some of the new features that are supported. Multiple plugins can now subscribe to provide results (as shown in the attachment).

I have also changed how the application works its way into the start menu, it is now smarter about it and looks nicer!

I'm sure more changes will be worked in as they come to me.

[Guest LiquidCrystalMeth]

Umm isnt the title misleading, it doesnt extend the start menu, but rather the search box

I came in expecting to find some new toy for doing something with the actual start menu

So shouldnt it be search box extender?

[zhangm Supervisor]

Umm isnt the title misleading, it doesnt extend the start menu, but rather the search box

I came in expecting to find some new toy for doing something with the actual start menu

So shouldnt it be search box extender?

I don't care if it is named MagicalUnicornAndRainbowExtender 2012 Deluxe Edition with Media Center. Hope you can finish this before Windows 8 comes along...

[the_architect]

Preview #2 is now available :)

You can download direct here: http://www.lukepaynesoftware.com/downloads/StartMenuXP2

Website: http://www.lukepaynesoftware.com/projects/startmenux/

I'll try to keep an eye on this thread, but feedback is best provided via email. Enjoy!