It’s been a long time since I’ve released an update to Start++.  Since then I’ve been working sporadically on a major overhaul to Start++, which will likely be released as version 2.0.  However, due to time constraints imposed by my real job, and the fact that I have lots of ideas and no PMs to tell me which ones are actually worth implementing – it will likely take a while longer for that to see the light of day.

So in the meantime, I decided to backport several of the fixes I have made in the 2.0 branch.  This does not address all of the known issues with the last update, but I think it provides several worthwhile enhancements.  These include:

• Better responsiveness to queries for Start Gadgets
• Fewer intermediate Gadget updates while you’re typing, no longer a chance of “lost characters”
• Better keyboard and mouse interaction with Start Gadgets
• Fixed the default Dictionary gadget to have an OnSubmit handler as it was meant to
• Fixed the calculator gadget (and problems with any gadgets that use OnSubmit but have SubmitNewWindow set to false)
• Small UI clean-up for gadget rendering
• Fixed tab ordering for most of the configuration UI
• Fixed focus of UAC prompts when using commands like “sudo” from the start menu if the Secure Desktop switch is disabled

That last one is tricky, but this fix seems to work well.  Unfortunately, I discovered today that it only works if the Secure Desktop switch is disabled (as you might guess, that’s how I run most of my systems).  This is unfortunate, but hopefully something I can fix in a future update.

Also, the installer is back to its leaner size of 1.2MB or so.  This coincides with a change to ensure the hook installation issue from the past never returns.  The installer no longer includes the merge modules for the 32-bit and 640bit C++ runtimes as the hook DLL now statically links the CRT.

As always, your feedback is appreciated.

More info and download link here.

Just like previous Start++ customizations, these can be exported and shared on BrandonTools.com – in fact, I’ve already created a place to share them with others (and you can subscribe via RSS to see when new ones are added!).  Setting one up isn’t too difficult if you’re familiar with how these kinds of web apps work.  Below is what the gadget building UI looks like:

(Click to enlarge)

Note that Start++ is still in beta, and that the capabilities of Start++ Start Gadgets will continue to grow.

So what are you waiting for?  Go grab the download.

I’ve also removed historical versions from the download page, the latest Start++ release will always live at this URL:

http://brandontools.com/files/folders/startplusplus/default.aspx

Change list is here.

This weekend I’ll be posting version 0.5.  What’s new?  Well, I fixed some common bugs (certain characters like double-quotes could get mangled in commands, etc), and have made improvements to the UI hook for those who run Start++ in the background.

There’s also a new feature:  script supported for Search Startlets.  What does that mean?  Well, previously when creating a Search Startlet you could only choose from two specific “actions” – Open Results and Play Media.  Now in 0.5, there’s a third option.  JavaScript.

How is this useful?  Well, here’s how you could write your own version of the Play Media action.

//System.ItemUrl
var fs = new ActiveXObject(“Scripting.FileSystemObject”);
var pList = fs.CreateTextFile(StartPath + “\\playlist1.m3u”, true);
pList.WriteLine(“#EXTM3U”);
for(i = 0; i < ResultCount; i++)
{
    var file = SYSTEM_ITEMURL[i];
    pList.WriteLine(file.slice(5));
}
pList.Close();var WshShell = new ActiveXObject(“WScript.Shell”);
WshShell.Run(“wmplayer.exe \”" + StartPath + \\playlist1.m3u\”);

Neat huh?

Just as before, you can export your Startlet to a file that you can share with others or submit to the gallery on BrandonTools.com.  The Startlet file will include your script, basically turning them into light-weight “plug-ins.”

Download Start++

I know, I know… the Wiki just went up a few days ago. Well, rather than let people get too used to that, I decided to go ahead and set up a real website for Start++ and any other little tools I end up throwing together (I mean, diligently coding to the highest standard of quality!) later on down the road.

It’s just up and stumbling on Community Server, which seems to be working out pretty well so far.

BrandonTools.com

Download here.

Changelist here.

Please post bug reports and feature suggestions on the Start++ Forum.

If you have mirrored Start++ somewhere (against my wishes), please update your copy to this version, as it now supports update notification. So at least if the copy you’re mirroring gets out of date, users who download it will be alerted that a newer build is available.

Fixes include more reliable start menu hooking, better performance, a new icon (thanks Chris!) and fixes for a few crashes.

Note that in this release, the installer will not launch the program automatically, so you’ll want to go launch it yourself (unless you only run in the old-school “passive” mode).

By the way, last week Start++ exceeded 10,000 downloads! Nice!

Anyone know of or interested in providing a good place to have a Start++ user forum?

Also, if anyone wants to make a pretty icon for it (especially larger than 16×16 ones) that would rock too =)

What’s new in 0.4

• Start++ now runs in the system tray to provide better Start Menu hooking, including custom Start Menu UI (“Start Gadgets”).
• Picture Gadget is the first built-in Start Gadget.  Eventually this will be extensible.
• New Options tab with three options
  • Disable running in the background (provides the same functionality as previous versions).
  • Disable command line integration (feature request)
  • Disable Start Menu commands for when Start++ isn’t running
• Bug fixes, including a fix for users with spaces in their user names.

Go get it!

Quick picture finding!

For the upcoming Start++ 0.5 release, I’ve gone back and built a much more sophisticated Start hook, that will allow for some much more robust functionality and eliminate the few edge cases where the current shortcuts can conflict (ie. not be the default action) with other shortcuts in your Start menu.  It’s entirely done out-of-process, in .NET using a combination of standard windowing and automation APIs.

Truthfully, though, I think a picture is worth a lot more than words…  Keep in mind this isn’t exactly how it will look or work when I’m done, it’s just an idea of where I think I’m going with it.  And yes, this is an early build running on my desktop system.