Here is a collection of new keyboard skins I have made using Chris’ original keyboard skin. Instructions on how to use them are below (forgive me if the post is a bit long :mrgreen
.
Enjoy,
Bibi
Requirements
To use these skins you must
have a PPC device running WM2003 with an ENG(lish) ROM (PPC2002 and WM2003SE devices are not-supported).
If you are unsure which language is used then the following image might help - just cross-check whether the keyboard you are using matches exactly.
Installation
There is no simple way of installing these skins - by nature they are just a resource replacement hack and so manipulation of the system registry is involved. The easiest way to install is to first install Chris' keyboard skin. You can get it here:
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/downloads/index.html
Copy the cab installer onto your device and run it from the device to install. The installer does a couple of things - sets the flags within the registry to enable the hack to work, and installs the file 'msim.dll.0409.mui' to the \Windows folder. If you have successfully installed the keyboard skin and done a soft-reset you should expect the keyboard to be skinned as shown below:
If the keyboard skin is installed successfully but the keyboard remains unchanged after the soft-reset, then unfortunately the keyboard hack won't work on your device. To uninstall the keyboard skin refer to the
Removing Skins section.
Changing Skins
Once you have verified that the keyboard skin hack has indeed worked, it is now possible to change the skin over to a new one. This is made possible by replacing the file 'msim.dll.0409.mui' in the \Windows folder. The file itself is a Bitmap image embedded in a special object container.
Before we go any further, you must be able to read
all (that includes hidden system files) the contents of the \Windows folder. You can do this using Resco Explorer or similiar, or 'explore' via activesync - the default file explorer on the PocketPC device is inadequate for this purpose.
Explore the \Windows folder on the device and find the file 'msim.dll.0409.mui'. This file is locked by the OS for the time being and so cannot be deleted immediately; although it is possible to rename the file and delete it on the next soft reset. Just rename this file to something like 'msim.dll.0409.mui.old' for now.
With the keyboard skin of your choice, simply copy this file 'msim.dll.0409.mui' over to the \Windows folder. Perform a soft reset and finally check that the new keyboard skin has been applied. Just repeat the above steps again to change from skin to skin.
To manage a set of skins, what I have found easiest is to add a short descriptor to the end of the filename. For example, an OSX aqua style keyboard skin may named 'msim.dll.0409.mui.
aqua'. Similarly, a black styled keyboard would be given the name 'msim.dll.0409.mui.
black'.
Summary:
Rename --> Copy/Paste --> Soft-reset
Removing Skins
As mentioned before, the keyboard skin file 'msim.dll.0409.mui' is locked by the OS and as such cannot be deleted easily. Fortunately, whilst the file cannot be deleted, it can be renamed. Renaming the file prevents it from loading into memory after a device soft-reset.
After renaming the file and a soft-reset, you may then delete the file from your device. Provided that 'msim.dll.0409.mui' doesn't exist in the \Windows folder, the default OS keyboard should return. The flags set in the registry can remain without causing harm.
The Skins
The skins are gouped into two categories: Non-specific and Specific. Non-specifc skins are those without a definitive theme in mind (WisBar Advance or otherwise). Specific skins are intended to be used with a certain theme and as such they represent my own interpretation of that theme.
Non-specific Skins
Black
Download Black Keyboard
Grey
Download Grey Keyboard
Milk
Download Milk Keyboard
OSX Aqua
Download OSX Aqua Keyboard
Apple iTunes
Download Apple iTunes Keyboard
OSX Blue Label
Download OSX Blue Label Keyboard
OSX Graphite Label
Download OSX Graphite Label Keyboard
OSX Green Label
Download OSX Green Label Keyboard
OSX Red Label
Download OSX Red Label Keyboard
OSX Red Label Alternative
Download OSX Red Label Alternative Keyboard
OSX Violet Label
Download OSX Violet Label Keyboard
OSX Yellow Label
Download OSX Yellow Label Keyboard
Specific Skins
- Juni's Skins:
Black & White Skin Suite Marble (Web Link)
Download B&W Marble Keyboard
- Chefz's Skins (Web Link):
Creamy Rose
Download Creamy Rose Keyboard
Crystal Blue
Download Crystal Blue Keyboard
Crystal Gold
Download Crystal Gold Keyboard
Crystal Green
Download Crystal Green Keyboard
Crystal Pink
Download Crystal Pink Keyboard
Keyboard skins, get your keyboard skins here...
Linear Mode
