TealGlance! User's Manual

By Vince Lee, Tex Tennison, and Amanda Epume
Program Version 2.45
Last Updated: April 13, 1998

Description

Thank you for trying TealGlance!. This application gives pops up a 'quick view' window at power-up showing commonly-needed information such as: TealGlance! is fully configurable, providing options for adjusting delay time, ToDo category, display mode, and Time and Date format, and optional automatic backlight activation.

Installing

This archive contains the files:

TEALGLNC.DOC
This doc in text format
TEALGLNC.HTM
This doc in HTML format
GLNCEDOC.PRC
This doc in tealdoc format
TEALGLNC.PRC
The TealGlance! program file
CALLGLNC.PRC
The CallGlance activating application, appears as 'Teal Glance' in the Applications screen
HACKMSTR.PRC
The HackMaster System Extensions Manager
REGISTER.HTM
TealPoint Registration form in HTML format
REGISTER.DOC
TealPoint Registration form in text format
Important note: Before updating or deleting any Hackmaster program, be sure to disable the application first in the Hackmaster control screen. Also turn off TealLock first if you are running this application. If you fail to do so, your TealGlance will not operate, and Hackmaster will get confused until you disable and re-enable TealGlance a few times.

TealGlance! uses the HackMaster System Extensions Manager by Edward Keyes (*See references below). This is a safe and standard way to add and manage extended system functionality on the PalmPilot.

Use the PalmPilot installer to install the program file TEALGLNC.PRC, CALLGLNC.PRC, and HACKMSTR.PRC, if you do not already have it on your machine. Instructions on how to use the PalmPilot installer are in the PalmPilot Handbook that came with your Pilot, PalmPilot, or WorkPad.

CallGlance! will appear on your applications screen as a standard program labeled 'Teal Glance' (with space), but the real program is hidden and is activated only through HackMaster. To turn on TealGlance!, simply click on the HackMaster icon in the applications launcher, and click on the checkmark next to the TealGlance! entry in the Hacks list.


Using the Program

By default, TealGlance! is automatically activated when you turn on your Pilot using the green power button. The information window will pop up and disappear after a configurable time limit. To make the window disappear sooner, just click anywhere with the pen or press one of the buttons on the Pilot, such as the up and down scroll buttons. If you hold down the pen, TealGlance will stay on screen until you release it.

As an alternate way to bring up TealGlance, use the CallGlance program (appears as Teal Glance in the App launcher). The display will come up and stay on screen, updating itself every 30 seconds until another application is selected.

To configure TealGlance!, activate the Hackmaster application and click on the plus (+) button next to TealGlance!. Here, you can adjust the format of the popup window, set the time it stays on screen, and adjust many other options. Additionally you may enter a keyword you receive when you register the product to remove the 'Please Register' text in the popup window. When you enter the password, the entry line in the config screen will still remain as it is, but you should not longer get the Please Register messages.

Datebook events appear in chronological order by start time, and are included up to an hour after start time (in case you're running late), or until the stop time has passed, whichever is latest. Tommorow's events are shown, if selected and there is room, after today's event separated by a horizontal line and enclosed in brackets.

Unchecked ToDo items in the selected category are shown sorted by priority. If you are using the Alt-ToDo feature, the current category can change depending on the time and day of the week. See options below for more info.

You may click on an entry to go to either the ToDo application or the Datebook application. This feature requires that your hardware buttons have the default mappings to the standard ToDo and Datebook apps. You will go to the correct day if clicking on a datebook item, but when going to the ToDo list application, the current category may not reflect the item you chose. You may also click on a checkmark box on the TealGlance screen to check-off a listed ToDo item, provided you are not activating TealGlance from within the ToDo application.


Setting Options

Set options by running Hackmaster and clicking on the '+' key next to the TealGlance listing.
Options
The following options may be changed within the config screen.

List Items
Sets what to show in display area below time and date. Choices are Upcoming Datebook Appointments, ToDo items, None, or Both.

List Dates
Choose which datebook items to show.
Choices Are:

Today
Remaining appointments for today
Today + Tomorrow
Remaining appointments for today and tomorrow


ToDo Due
Allows filtering of which ToDo items to show by Due Date
Choices Are:

Show All
Show ToDo items ignoring Due Date
Due Today
Only show items due Today or earlier
Due Sometime
Only show items with some due date set
Today or Unset
Only show items due Today or without a due date set

ToDo Cat
Sets the default Category of ToDo items to be shown
NOTE: PalmPilot OS2.0 (personal and professional) filters out empty ToDo categories from appearing in the settings menu. Because of this you will not be able to select a Category if it is empty. If this happens, just create a temporary ToDo entry to make the category appear.

Alt ToDo Cat (new for version 2.0)
Sets the alternate Category of ToDo items to be shown when the current time is between a specified time range and it is a specified days of the week, e.g. (9am-6pm Monday through Friday). See below.

Alt ToDo Beg
Sets start time for when the Alternate ToDo category becomes valid.

Alt ToDo End
Sets end time for when the Alternate ToDo category becomes invalid.

Alt ToDo Days
Selects days for which the Alternate ToDo category is valid.

Activate By
Selects combinations of alternate ways to bring up TealGlance.
Power button
When PalmPilot is turned on with the green power button
Application buttons
Power up using the 4 application buttons on the pilot
Double-command stroke
Doing the command graffiti stroke ( a slash from lower left to upper right) twice in succession.
Delay Time
Time Popup window stays up before automatically closing

Time Format
Format in which time appears

Date Format
Format in which date appears

Clock type
Choose Analog, Digital, or Compact (new for version 2.0)

Backlight Display
Allows automatic activation of backlight (if available) at powerup either all the time or only between dusk and dawn.

Dawn
Set dawn time (for backlight option above).

Dusk
Set dusk time (for backlight option above).

Activate Locked
Set whether TealGlance with activate, even if Pilot is locked

Passthru Buttons
Normally, buttons you press when TealGlance's screen is up dismiss TealGlance, but do not perform their normal function. This allows you to, say, press the Power button twice when turning on the PalmPilot to immediately dismiss TealGlance. When this option is set, the key instead performs its normal function after TealGlance shuts off.

Auto Off Afterwards
Turns off PDA if TealGlance is activated at powerup and is allowed to time out without a key or pen press.

Min Off Time
Doesn't come up if PDA is turned off less than a specified number of minutes

Use Simulated Buttons for Goto
Simulates a press of one of the app buttons for app-goto instead of directly calling the system applications. Use this option if you're using a ToDo or datebook replacement and want to go to it instead of the standard system app.


Troubleshooting

Installing and Running

If you are having problems getting the program to run, be sure that you have installed all three files: HackMaster, TealGlance, and CallGlance. Refer to the PalmPilot manual that came with your unit if you are unsure how to do this.

Afterwards, be sure to activate TealGlance by running HackMaster and selecting the checkmark next to TealGlance. If it still does not work, try unselecting and reselecting the checkmark. If Hackmaster has gotten confused because you either updated or deleted TealGlance without first deselecting it in Hackmaster, Hackmaster will likely crash, but with no lingering side effects afterwards.

Lastly, check the TealGlance options in Hackmaster ('+' key) to insure it is set up to activate by your desired choices.

Compatibility

As we cannot control the style and robustness of other products, we cannot guarantee compatibility with PalmPilot applications beyond those included from Palm Computing. However, we try to resolve compatibility issues as best we can.

TealGlance, like all Hackmaster applications, hook into the PalmPilot operating system in a way which may not be compatible with all other programs of this type.

GlowHack
Known to crash when TealGlance is active.
Use TealGlance's backlight-activation option instead
PowerHack
Make sure you have an updated version of PowerHack. Version 0.95 reportedly fixes a previous conflict with TealGlance.
Franklin Ascend and BrainForest
No compatibility problems, but we're currently accessing the demand and viability of adding an option to list Ascend ToDo items instead of the standard PalmPilot ToDo application as a service to your customers who use Ascend.
Check-In
Check-In seems to have some compatibility problems with TealGlance. When using Check-In, be sure TealGlance appears below Check-In in the list of hacks in HackMaster. When you decactive (uncheck) and reactivate (check) a hack in the list, it's moved to the top of the list. Better yet, use TealLock instead.

Registering

Currently, you may register by snail mail, electronically through our website using a First Virtual Bank account, or with a credit card through PilotGear HQ. (www.pilotgear.com) 1-800-741-9070. For the first option, the enclosed registration form is provided for your convenience. You may use this form or simply send the following to the address below. After you register, you will receive email with a passkey you can enter in the config screen for TealGlance in Hackmaster. This key will turn off the 'Please register' message, freeing up space on the TealGlance display screen. If you register via PilotGear H.Q., you can download a temporary password that you can use until your permanent passkey arrives. To enter a passkey, activate the HackMaster Control program and press the '+' (plus) button next to the program's name. Click on the 'Register' button. Click on the text entry field to activate it, and enter the passkey.

Revision History


Contact Info

TealGlance! is By Vince Lee, TealPoint Software
(c) 1997 All Rights Reserved.
TealPoint Software
454 Las Gallinas Ave, Suite #318
San Rafael, CA 94903-3618
We look forward to hearing from you.

Please visit us at www.tealpoint.com, or
email us at contact@tealpoint.com.

Thank you.
*HackMaster is By Edward Keyes, DaggerWare Software
www.daggerware.com

Disclaimer

We at TealPoint Software are committed to providing quality, easy-to-use software. However, this product is provided without warranty and the user accepts full resposibility for any damages, consequential or otherwise, resulting from its use.

This archive is freely redistributable, provided it is made available only in its complete, unmodified form with no additional files and for noncommercial purposes only. Any other use must have prior written authorization from TealPoint Software.

Unauthorized commercial use includes, but is not limited to:

  1. A product for sale.
  2. Accompanying a product for sale.
  3. Accompanying a magazine, book or other publication for sale.
  4. Distribution with "Media", "Copying" or other incidental costs.
  5. Available for download with access or download fees.
This program may be used on a trial basis for 30 days. The program will continue to function afterwards. However, if after this time you wish to continue using it, please register with us for the nominal fee listed in the program.

If you do choose to register with use, please also register HackMaster with DaggerWare if you have not already done so.
Thank you.