AutoOffDAs, coded by Yuval Melamed, Israel 2004(c). ====================================================== Requirements: ------------- * Palm device or compatible. * Palm OS version 3.5 or above is required (wasn't tested under OS5) * DA launcher (see below) *** WARNING: These DAs were only tested to work under Sony Clie SJ22. I cannot guarantee that they will work for your device - USE AT YOUR OWN RISK !!! Purpose: -------- Sometimes you only need to TEMPORARILY extend the auto-off period of your device: You show someone a picture, you read a document or consult a map, and you don't want the device to turn off unexpectedly just because you didn't touch the screen/buttons for some time. Sure, you can just turn it on again, but if you're using auto-lock software or even a case where the power button is not easily accessible and you just want to see what you've just launched, than AutoOffDAs comes in handy - with the swipe of a pen (depending on your DA launcher, see below) you could extend the auto-off period or completely disable it, BUT! Unlike most software that will drain your battery if you forget to restore the auto-off time, AutoOffDAs will automatically(*) restore the auto-off to what appears on "Prefs" upon going to sleep, and next time an alarm powers on your device in your pocket, you don't need to worry - auto-off time was already restored and your battery won't be drained! :) * - Since version 1.3, AutoOffDAs will AUTOMATICALLY restore your auto-off timer to the original value inside the system's "Prefs" application (under "General"). You NO LONGER NEED the old AutoOffSleepDA to turn off your device - no matter how your device is turned off, AutoOffDAs will restore what they have changed. However, if you're an old user of AutoOffDAs and you really got used to turning off your device with the swipe of a pen, then you could use EasyLaunch's built in action to power off your device, or, if you have OS5+, try the "OffStroke" freeware, available at: http://www.freewarepalm.com/utilities/offstroke.shtml However, please notice you DO NOT need this method/utility in order for AutoOffDAs to function properly! Installation ------------ AutoOffDisableDA.prc - Completely disable auto-off timer (aka "Always On") AutoOffExtendDA.prc - Makes auto-off duration to ten times longer than what it's set in "Prefs" You'd also need a DA launcher if you don't have any: - DA Launcher 5 : A very good stand-alone DA launcher for OS5 (the only freeware DA launcher for OS5?) - EasyLaunch : The best hack for various tasks and convenient launching of DAs - MOST RECOMMENDED !!! (freeware) - YAHM : The most stable hack-manager (required for EasyLaunch hack) - more stable than X-Master (both freeware) All of the above are available from PalmGear.com For all information regarding the usage of these 3rd party programs, consult their own manuals. Usage: ------ First, goto "Prefs" application: Tap the Home icon (Applications Launcher), and see it under the "System" category. When inside your system Prefrences application, choose "General" from the upper-right corner. Choose one of the "auto-off" durations to your liking! :) Now, after you configured your DA launcher to launch the AutoOff DAs, use as follows: AutoOffExtendDA will simply lengthen the auto-off timer by factor of ten (x10) from what you made it to be under "Prefs" - it will not show fancy interface to get in the way! :) AutoOffDisableDA will completely disable the auto-off timer (system knows it as duration of "0" seconds). This will make your device stay on until you explicitly shut it off, but beware - you will have to manually shut off your device in that session! After you power off however, the auto-off timer will restore to its Prefs' value (this is NOT true if you turned off your device by taking the batteries out! It's an unlikely situation of course, but if you do, you'll have to go to "Prefs" again and set the desired timing as explained above). Note: you don't have to use both DAs - see "Installation" and you can make your preference for just one of them! :) Further Information: -------------------- A good place to learn about DAs: http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/h-yama/da/whatsda.htm A good place to learn about Hacks: http://www.79bmedia.com/hacks/ Credits: -------- These DAs were compiled on board using the best freeware PalmOS Pascal Compiler by Philippe GUILLOT, available at: http://ppcompiler.free.fr/PP.php?lng=en Source code is zipped within this package. You will need the "LycheePalmAPI.pas" library installed in order to compile my DAs on your palm, along with the other required Pascal Compiler files (see its website for help). Being familiar with Pascal and having found this spectacular free tool, led me to make this first (fairly simple though) attempt of mine in the field of Palm programming. Thanks goes to Philippe and the entire PPTeam out there! Important: All CreatorIDs used in these source codes are properly registered under my name in the PalmSource developers site! Do NOT use them publicly (that includes the old AutoOffSleepDA's "AOSl"). History: -------- 25-May-2004, v1.4 Previous versions could work unexpectedly if Prefs wasn't explicitly set. This version sets a default 120 seconds if Prefs is invalid (has zero value). 22-May-2004, v1.3 Now AUTOMATICALLY restores the auto-off timer upon sleeping! You do not longer need "AutoOffSleepDA" :) (the included PP (Pascal) source code has a nifty example of using Palm OS Notification Manager) 08-Apr-2004, v1.2 Previous version couldn't power off device when Stay On In Cradle was checked (If device was connected, the "vchrAutoOff" is rejected) Now using "vchrHardPower" instead - hopefully the best method for all. (You can always experiment with my EXTREMELY EASY source code yourselves! :) 06-Apr-2004, v1.1 Changed AutoOffSleepDA method for more compatibility. (using delayed Auto-Lock in Security app. works as expected!) was using the undocumented "SysSleep", now using EvtEnqueKey with vchrAutoOff. 08-Feb-2004, v1.0 First release FREEWARE