EVPlugBase

Manage plugins for PalmOS

Version 1.1 beta 1
12/19/1999
Copyright by EVSoft Co., Ltd.
All rights reserved.

CONTENTS:

1. Overview
2. Usage
3. Installation
4. Configuration
5. Registration
6. Release history and updates
7. FAQ
8. Future plans
9. Software Productions of EVSoft
10. Disclaimer and legal stuff
11. EVPlugBase Program Guide

Overview

EVPlugBase is an open platform for third-party developers to develop a Plugin for Palm OS. Plam OS is very succinct os system, but it's a little inconvenient. Many programers develop patchs for the system, some of them are based with Hack Master, a great platform for patchs, others are not. That was the internal reason that might crash the pilot.

After we finished EVEdit, a Hack extension, we find it is necessary to develop a new mechanism to the programers who want to add some of the system patch trap in their applications. We name these applications "Plugin", different with "hack".

What is lack of the Hack Master?

1. Not solve the hack conflict with the no-hack application problem.
2. Strictly resources requirement:
3. • Strictly resources ID requirement, for example, patch code ID must start from 'code' resource 1000, config panel resource ID must be 2000 etc.
   • Strictly require 'TRAP' resource, it is very difficult for Code warrior programer.
4. Waste of code, for example, when a patch want to replace several system trap, normally a piece of init code needed in sereral place, that will waste a lot code.
5. Inflexible programing, for example, in different versioin of OS, SysKeyboardDialog trap is different, if you want to replace it in Palm OS 1.0, you must replace the SysKeyboardDialogV10 trap, but when you try in Palm OS 2.0, you must replace SysKeyboardDialog trap, so you must provide two version for these two OS.

When we developing EVEdit (A HackMaster extention), we feel these inconvenient deeply, so we develop EVPlugBase, to manage Plugins for Palm OS. The enhancement list below:

1. EVPlugBase can manage all Plugin written according EVPlugBase rule. No conflict each other.
2. EVPlugBase can manage all other no-hack applications that replace system traps.
3. Provide delete-protection. This prevent some users to delete Plugin or Hackextention which is actived, that will mostly cased a system crash.
4. Provide SoftPenStroke function for Plugin. It will save many time of patch programer.
5. Solve all problem that list in the lack of Hack Master.

USAGE

1. Tap EVPlugBase icon, you can start or enter panel of EVPlugBase. If it's the first time you start EVPlugBase, the pilot will ask you for a reset to active EVPlugBase.
2. There are two display mode in EVPlugBase. One is Icon mode, max to 9 icons per page, the other is list mode, 11 lines per page. You can set it as you like.

3. Icon Form

   List Form

4. EVPlugBase provides a convenient SoftPenStroke way to be actived.
5. EVPlugBase displays battery, time, number of plugins information.
6. Introduction of EVPlugBase menu:
7. • Disable, disable EVPlugBase and all the plugins it managing. When the system ask you whether or not reset, press ok.
   • Unplug all, disable all plugins managed by EVPlugBase
   • Preferences, config EVPlugBase.
8. Every Plugin in EVPlugBase has several area:
9. • Icon area, display the icon of Plugin. A black dot left to the icon mean you can config this plugin by tap the icon.
   • Active area, check to active the plugin.
   • Name area, display the name of the plugin. A black dot left to the name area mean you can read the information of the plugin by tap the name.
   • Dropdown list, tap here to config,delete the plugin, or read the information of it.

Installation
EVPlugBase requires PalmOS 1.x or later version.

IMPORTANT INSTALLATION NOTE:
If you have installed Hack Master, you should disable it by reset the pilot and answer 'no' when the Hack Master ask you to restore all the hacks. EVPlugBase can't run together with Hack Muster. If you do not, you will most certainly cause a system crash.

1. Install EVPlugBase.prc using PalmPilot Install Tool or any other equivalent program.
2. Tap the EVPlugBase icon on your Pilot, answer OK to reset the pilot.
4. A tip of 'EVPlugBase Loaded' means you installed and active it correctly.
5. You can tap the icon of EVPlugBase to manage all your plugins.

Configuratioin
 

1. Active configuration:
2. • Active menu of EVPlugBase, tap Preferences item.
3. Explanation:
4. • Active EVPlugBase SoftPenStroke. set a SoftPenStroke to quick start EVPlugBase. What is SoftPenStroke? It's a way to active a plugin by drag your stylus from one area to another. EVPlugBase define these areas as the below:

   • From	To

   • View by, Set the two display mode, Icon mode or list mode, of EVPlugBase.

Register EVPlugBase
EVPlugBase is a freeware. Registeration can help you to get the newest information of EVSoft. Please just send us a email to register. Please feel free to send us suggestion or questioin, your suggestion help us much.
If you provide more information below, we will provide you more benefit, and we promise to keep your information secret.

1. Name
2. Address, City,State,Country,Post Code,Telephone, etc.
3. What plugin you want to install with EVPlugbase?
4. Your suggestion or question about EVPlugBase or EVSoft.
5. What software you need on your pilot?

Release History

1.1beta 1 - 12/18/1999

• Fix a bug!Now it can works more stable with hackmaster extentions!
• Change some code so that it can works well with LauncherIII !
• Welcom bug reports and suggestions!

1.0beta 2 - 8/12/1999

• Add a optional form,you can cancel loading EVPlugBase when resetting palm.

1.0beta 1 - 11/26/1998

• The first version
• Can manage all hacks writen by Hack Master rule.
• Solved the conflicts of hacks with other no-hack SysTrap replacement applications.
• Share the resources to all plugins.
• Provide a compatible way of different versioin of Palm OS.
• Delete protection. To protect users to delete a actived plugin and crash a system.
• Powerful SoftPenStroke function as a assist to developers.

FAQ

Question: Can I run hacks in EVPlugBase?
Answer:   Yes.

Question: Can I run Plugins in Hack Master?
Answer:   No if the plugin written according rule of EVPlugBase.

Question: My pilot crash and reset when I uncheck the box of Always use LauncherIII after I installed EVPlugBase, how to solve the problem?
Answer:   Please disable EVPlugbase first, then uncheck the box of Always use LauncherIII, then enable EVPlugbase.

Question: Can EVPlugBase manage no-hack applications or non-EVPlugBase applications?
Answer:   Yes.

Future Plan

• Welcome to send us your suggestion.

Products List of EVSoft

[tipU]
A freehand reminder.
Supports 7 tools, 7-line width, 39 patterns to paint (write) on the screen, input characters, undo 10 times.
TipU gives you periodical tips setting when you have not noticed the tip. You can beam to exchange data between tipU.

[EVStar]
A Chinese OS system.
Supports Chinese display, Auto-detects GB/Big5, Display GB and Big5 in the same screen, 3 Chinese input methods, English
system translates to Chinese system, etc. Runs fast and steady.

Disclaimer and legal stuff
We EVSoft are dedicated to provide the best software for you. However, EVSoft takes no responsibility for any loss of data or failures. You assume full responsibility for the use of this program.
You can distribute it without any modification.
Please register the program for just a email with some suggestion to us. Your registeration will help us to enhance it better.

If you have any problem, question and suggestion, please feel free to email us.
For more information, please visit our website: www.evscl.com, or email us: gzevsoft@public.guangzhou.gd.cn . Thanks for your interest in EVSoft.

Thank you very much!
EVSoft
http://www.evscl.com