Standalone Stack 2

[CitizenOne]

New : 2.0.5 - fix release - Thanks to Matonga for his help !

- fix the bug with shortcuts, "office" like shortcut works now, i hope the others too...

- fix the bug with files without extension ( explorer option : "hide file extension for know file types" ) and custom icons

ChristianS,

I had geared up to prepare about 20 different versions of Windows XP Home install ISO's, each with various and differing levels of service packs, programs, and tweaks having been slipstreamed into them to do a step by step test to find what was causing the shortcut bug and had actually done 3 of those tests already when I thought to myself, "I'll check the forum again to see if there has been any updates." To my much relieved pleasure, you have done it! You've fixed the shortcut bug, and in doing so, saved me a mountain of time. Originally I wasn't going to mention this, simply because I thought you would think I was making the story up in an effort to garner sympathy from you for the problem I was having in using your program. You see, I was anxious to use this app on the system I had just assembled because I wanted to give it as a surprise to a close friend who has cancer. He and his wife have faced a lot of down time during his radiation treatments and her simultaneous pregnancy, and when I visited him and saw how old and so very slow his computer was, I thought of all the spare computer parts I had lying around and decided to use them to build him a system, that although not top-of-the-line, would certainly be much faster than the one he's using. I knew that he'd like to surprise his wife and daughter with a MAC so they could enjoy using the computer too, but that finacially, he couldn't afford it and neither could I. So, I thought I'd do my best to make the old XP operating system as streamlined and dynamically user friendly as possible. During my research, I've found so many programs to help me do so, written by generous and dedicated programmers like yourself who amazingly give them away for free! So, I've spent probably 20 hours or more researching, installing, and testing different programs to modifty the Windows interface and had gotten it to be almost just right, and your program, Standalone Stack 2, was to be the icing on the cake. With this latest update, now it is! I can't tell you how pleased I am. Your quick turn around with the bug fix has enabled me to use this program in exactly the way I had hoped. Simply put, you've made my day, because now I can make my friend's day! I sincerely want to thank you for your efforts, and would like to thank Matonga for his efforts in creating the stack libraries. Thanks!!!

Sincerely,

CitizenOne

P.S. If you'd be so kind as to consider a feature request... ...If enabling a fully working Control Panel stack isn't feasible, do you think you could make it so that the program recogizes a control panel shortcut within a stack and force it to open the Control Panel in explorer instead of the stack? This would prevent users from thinking the program is glitching and still allows each shortcut in the My Computer stack, for example, to function logically. What do you think?

Edited June 18, 2009 by CitizenOne

[eesa]

Thx~！！ problem solved!

New : 2.0.5 - fix release - Thanks to Matonga for his help !

- fix the bug with shortcuts, "office" like shortcut works now, i hope the others too...

- fix the bug with files without extension ( explorer option : "hide file extension for know file types" ) and custom icons

[ChristianS]

@CitizenOne

I'm Very happy to help you and your friend, and again, thanks to Matonga too.

i've updated the thread just after your post to write that the control panel works too now.

So, all is good for you !

[Theberge43]

Hi, tried it yesterday ... works pretty well and finally does what I wanted : I'm able to link it in a SAmurize config !

The only thing that is bugging right now, is when I try to click on a .zip file ... I get a Windows Error sound and the grid closes.

[jasonfehlers]

Thank you, ChristianS!

Icons work great without the extension!

[Skrell]

can you PLEASE implement the option to distance the grid from your mouse location by a set amount? My grid still opens almost directly behind my mouse cursor.

[CitizenOne]

@CitizenOne

I'm Very happy to help you and your friend, and again, thanks to Matonga too.

i've updated the thread just after your post to write that the control panel works too now.

So, all is good for you !

ChristianS,

My friend was greatly surprised and appreciative of the PC I just gave him, and when I showed him around the new interface (based partly on Standalone Stack 2), he was amazed. His wife also like how the stack/grids worked! Yet, despite the program working beautifully since the short cut problem has been solved, I must sadly say that the Control Panel is still not fully functional on either the system I just gave my friend or my own. I was sure to re-create all stacks and shortcuts from within version 2.0.5, but most of the CPL programs still don't open. Of course, I've merely assumed that by writing that "the control panel works too now" you meant that each item selected within a control panel stack should open the actual program instead of open a grid from which to select "Show in Explorer" or "Go back to Control Panel." Did you mean that the control panel should now be fully functional in the way I understand it to have meant? In any case, when I select many of the icons, I do get the two choices mentioned, but if I select "Show in Explorer" it opens the Control Panel in explorer and not the actual program, which makes sense semantically, I guess. Some examples of the control panel apps that do not run when selected in a Control Panel stack are "Add Hardware", "Add or Remove Programs", "Mouse", "Security Center", "System", "User Accounts", and "Windows Firewall." Those are not all that do not run, just the ones I can think of off the top of my head that still won't run when selected in a grid. Further, if I attempt to select in succession more than two of the ones that don't work, that is if I select one that instead of running gives me the next grid with the two options I mentioned previously, and I select the "Go back to Control Panel," the second time I do so (selecting the "Go back" option) always gives a "StandaloneStack2.exe - Application Error" window that always has this same exact error message: "The instruction at "0x7c910cae" referenced memory at "0xffffff38". The memory could not be 'read'." I then have the option to chose O.K. to terminate the program or CANCEL to debug. So, for now, I've simply removed the stack on my friends computer for the Control Panel, hoping to prevent him from encountering the error and getting confused, though I guess he could still stumble accross it indirectly through his "My Computer" stack. So, how 'bout this one? Do you think its a program glitch, or I am doing something wrong?

Thanks again,

CitizenOne

[SwampCat]

Hi Guys,

XP Pro SP3

I tried StandaloneStack v2.0.5

It doesn't work.

version 1 was left alive in another folder and it is working perfectly.

Version 2.0.5

-does not create shortcut on the Desktop;

-cannot delete existing "StackName", which was just created

The latter will just hang and several DrWatsons were called and hanging, several instances of StandaloneStaxk2 has to be killed via ProcessExplorer

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Edited June 30, 2009 by SwampCat

[ahmadus]

Then your Xp has somthing wrong baby

i just tried in in Xp Vista and Seven Rt it works perfect buddy

[SwampCat]

Then your Xp has somthing wrong baby

i just tried in in Xp Vista and Seven Rt it works perfect buddy

Hi ahmadus.

Thanks fore reply, but that is not much help, since nothing wrong with my XP.

Then as it was pointed version 1 still working fine.

Finally if you read around including the home page & comments there are similar reports.

Not creating the shortcut could be the case with different System Environment settings.

Most likely you did not change those. Many people do.

As for removing created Name ... have you try that? ... but that again could have the same root,

since the program doesn't know (or assuming incorrectly) where that one was "created".

version 1 takes all that into consideration somehow, so bugs were definitely introduced in the new version

My regards

[ahmadus]

You know what , the man created this stacks , and people test , enjoy and try to develop it much better, when there is time

The problem is time , and there is more features that you'll enjoy it i'm sure of that .

if you have any problem , just say it , i'll help you as much as i can

Cheers buddy .

[SwampCat]

You know what , the man created this stacks , and people test , enjoy and try to develop it much better, when there is time

The problem is time , and there is more features that you'll enjoy it i'm sure of that .

if you have any problem , just say it , i'll help you as much as i can

Cheers buddy .

I do not necessarily understand what you are trying to tell me.

- I am enjoying version 1;

- I tried version 2;

- I described what is not working;

- I pointed out that some users experiencing the same symptoms - no shortcut creation; hanging; killing the app via Task Manager because there will be as many instances as you will try running it; I added another one - inability to remove newly created name;

If you have some suggestions or questions please do...

As for developing it much better ... First, believe me I developed a lot of Software myself, but that is not the point.

I came here in order to find some answers and probably even help because I am not complaining and demanding I am describing problems.

You on the other hand throwing at me a lot of smileys, irony, "babies", "buddies" and nothing else...

Thanks

Edited July 2, 2009 by SwampCat

[scissorhands7]

Chill guys.

Swamp, he is right, you don't describe what exactly is wrong.

"Version 2.0.5

-does not create shortcut on the Desktop;

-cannot delete existing "StackName", which was just created

The latter will just hang and several DrWatsons were called and hanging, several instances of StandaloneStaxk2 has to be killed via ProcessExplorer"

Some questions that come to mind for me:

1. Did version 2.04 work? 2.03? 2.02? 2.01? 2.0? What was the last one that worked?.

2. "does not create shortcut on desktop" What actually happens when you press create shortcut? Give us a screencap of it.

Try creating a new shortcut on your desktop and make the shortcut:

C:\standalonestack2\StandaloneStack2.exe "THE NAME OF YOUR STACK"

Does this work?

3. -cannot delete existing "StackName", which was just created

Can you erase the stack in the standalonestack.ini file?

4. The latter will just hang and several DrWatsons were called and hanging, several instances of StandaloneStaxk2 has to be killed via ProcessExplorer"

Give me a screencap of the problem. Also try to turn off the option to keep standalonestack in memory and tell me if this continues.

[AndrewYY]

I noticed something about this app and truetransparency.

If you're running truetransparency, you'll have to make an exception for this app, or it'll close immediately on open (as some people on the 1st page were noticing)

[SwampCat]

Chill guys.

Swamp, he is right, you don't describe what exactly is wrong.

"Version 2.0.5

-does not create shortcut on the Desktop;

-cannot delete existing "StackName", which was just created

The latter will just hang and several DrWatsons were called and hanging, several instances of StandaloneStaxk2 has to be killed via ProcessExplorer"

Some questions that come to mind for me:

1. Did version 2.04 work? 2.03? 2.02? 2.01? 2.0? What was the last one that worked?.

2. "does not create shortcut on desktop" What actually happens when you press create shortcut? Give us a screencap of it.

Try creating a new shortcut on your desktop and make the shortcut:

C:\standalonestack2\StandaloneStack2.exe "THE NAME OF YOUR STACK"

Does this work?

3. -cannot delete existing "StackName", which was just created

Can you erase the stack in the standalonestack.ini file?

4. The latter will just hang and several DrWatsons were called and hanging, several instances of StandaloneStaxk2 has to be killed via ProcessExplorer"

Give me a screencap of the problem. Also try to turn off the option to keep standalonestack in memory and tell me if this continues.

Hi scissorhands7,

Thanks for reply.

Well sorry if my description was not very clear.

Despite I cannot imagine how could be "Not creating shortcut" more detailed. There is no shortcut.... and sure nothing to show as a screenshot for that scenario.

At the same time I admit that when I was talking about System Environment settings I should've pointed to this site with comments; Error messages descriptions; and similar thoughts:

http://www.chrisnsoft.com/2009/05/31/stand...ack-2-released/

My fault.

Then I may not answer all your question but at least some at this moment.

1) I did not try any of v2.x versions except the latest 2.0.5 (and sure, as I said, v1 is still working perfectly)

2) manual creation of the shortcut as you recommended ... that somehow worked.

Basically, I need to go trough that manual procedure for any new stack. There are still some problems but I have to go through some scenarios and prepare more detailed report when I have time. But that is already the progress. Thanks

3) & 4 ) It looks like unchecking the option "keep standalonestack in memory" indeed stops those crashes and hangings when deleting the stack from the list.

Again, I have to work a bit more on that but the entries under the [_STACKS_] reflecting changes correctly.

One more thing to add at this moment. I have to repeat all from the very beginning, because the thing is kinda settles down when the ini file already created but I have to recheck the behaviour when there is no ini file yet.

Thanks again ... At least now I can believe that all can be fixes and will work as it's suppose to Cheers!

Edited July 3, 2009 by SwampCat

[scissorhands7]

You should try using all previous versions to find the one where the shortcut etc. works for you, then it will be much easier for chris to isolate the code that is causing problems with your system, this could lead to a fix, or a discovery of a system setting/update that is causing the problem on your particular system. Many XP computers cannot replicate your problem, so I'm guessing it was either a new update or lack of an update or some system setting that is causing your problem.

Some questions that could potentially lead to a fix.

1. What is the latest version of standalone stack that fixes problem #1, problem #2 etc.

2. What is your Operating System service pack vers? How updated is it?

3. What security applications do you have running? (Antivirus apps, firewalls etc.)

4. Download Malwarebytes, and SuperAntiSpyware, update the latest definitions, do a full scan, then go here and do a scan of my computer. Does this fix anything?

5. Start your computer in safe mode and try to create the shortcut and keep the (keep standalone stack in memory) checked and tell me if either works now?

6. Give a complete screencap of your processes, perhaps an application is causing your problem.

[SwampCat]

Hi scissorhands7.

Thanks for reply.

As I posted in my initial request XP Pro; SP3

In addition I have all latest patches. No question about it.

And there is no question about the computer being infected (I am into security - moderator in one of the security sites)

Well I may add what you asked about running security (AVG 8; Mamutu; Comodo Firewall with Defense+ (HIPS), in proactive mode)

The StandaloneStack2 v2.0.5 was tested when all security Software being properly shutdown. The same result

Unfortunately currently I don't have time to test all 2.xx version prior to 2.0.5, but probably that is not required.

====

What I found and that was actually pointed earlier. It is most likely about system environment var. settings

The shortcuts are Created in C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Desktop

and they will not show up

I have to move them into my "real desktop"(!) D:\DATA\Desktop,

where all desktop icons(shortcuts) reside and are created, say when you would install any Software.

That is the main problem, as I see it... and that is probably why you cannot recreate it.... because (guessing) you have defaults in that respect on you XP PCs.

Probably the hanging issue when deleting stack from the list is related to what was described and the problem has the same root.

Now as I can recall (and I tested) I did the same trick (moving the shortcut) with version 1

The difference is I just manually pinned it to Quick Launch

and sure, there is no deletion of the stack in that version (correct me if I am wrong) therefore no bug with that.

My regards

Edited July 4, 2009 by SwampCat

[scissorhands7]

Hi scissorhands7.

Thanks for reply.

As I posted in my initial request XP Pro; SP3

In addition I have all latest patches. No question about it.

And there is no question about the computer being infected (I am into security - moderator in one of the security sites)

Well I may add what you asked about running security (AVG 8; Mamutu; Comodo Firewall with Defense+ (HIPS), in proactive mode)

The StandaloneStack2 v2.0.5 was tested when all security Software being properly shutdown. The same result

Unfortunately currently I don't have time to test all 2.xx version prior to 2.0.5, but probably that is not required.

====

What I found and that was actually pointed earlier. It is most likely about system environment var. settings

The shortcuts are Created in C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Desktop

and they will not show up

I have to move them into my "real desktop"(!) D:\DATA\Desktop,

where all desktop icons(shortcuts) reside and are created, say when you would install any Software.

That is the main problem, as I see it... and that is probably why you cannot recreate it.... because (guessing) you have defaults in that respect on you XP PCs.

Probably the hanging issue when deleting stack from the list is related to what was described and the problem has the same root.

Now as I can recall (and I tested) I did the same trick (moving the shortcut) with version 1

The difference is I just manually pinned it to Quick Launch

and sure, there is no deletion of the stack in that version (correct me if I am wrong) therefore no bug with that.

My regards

Ahhh! That explains everything, so the reason you are having the problems you are having is because your default root is D:\ vs the normal C:\

Perhaps then Chris could make an option to select your drive leter if the problem arises for more than one person. However you can still do manual creation and deletion so its not a huge deal.

Glad things worked out

by the way what security forum are you the moderator of? I'm acquainted with quite a few

Edited July 4, 2009 by scissorhands7

[SwampCat]

Ahhh! That explains everything, so the reason you are having the problems you are having is because your default root is D:\ vs the normal C:\

Perhaps then Chris could make an option to select your drive leter if the problem arises for more than one person. However you can still do manual creation and deletion so its not a huge deal.

Glad things worked out

by the way what security forum are you the moderator of? I'm acquainted with quite a few

Yep! I hope that will give the developer(s) some food for the thoughts and most likely the hanging bug will be cured as well.

Let's wait.

As for "security mod" question... please don't get me wrong, but I will leave that unanswered for... hmmm... how can I put that diplomatically?...

for "security reasons" Cheers!

[registrationsucks]

Feature request: You should be able to drop files into the stack/grid. Where is the point in the "stay open" option if this is not possible...?

[scissorhands7]

Feature request: You should be able to drop files into the stack/grid. Where is the point in the "stay open" option if this is not possible...?

The point was that some users had applications that continually stole the focus of standalonestack, thus a feature was added to prevent this.

[registrationsucks]

The point was that some users had applications that continually stole the focus of standalonestack, thus a feature was added to prevent this.

Hmm ok that makes sense.

Some comments about my feature request?

[scissorhands7]

This is seriously now some of the best coding i've seen in a long time.

Browsing is fast and light

the go back icon is great

the amount of options you can do is just great

I really am impressed Chris between you and matonga, you really have something here.

I can see this becoming a complete replacement for explorer.

Things that would make this a replacement for explorer

- Ability to drag and move files into folders

- Ability to create folders/files/shortcuts

- Ability to rename folders/files

- Ability to Delete folders/files

- Ability to cut/paste folders/files

I just have to say congratulations on a job well done. This is such a good application, you have my thanks.

Edit

One feature that I think should be improved upon is scroll bars for folders where there are many files (for exploring).

Right now when there are too many files, only the go back option is shown (show in explorer is missing when there are too many files to show) and the files in alphabetical order that come last arent shown.

An easier solution may be to just halve the size of the icons when there are too many files in a folder and then just revert back to the user setting when they leave the folder?

Or another solution could be to have the icons appear in the largest size possible (with maximum pixel and minimum pixel limits) and code it so that all the files show?

So some solutions that i can think of are:

1. Scrollbars

2. Halve the size of the icons for folders that have too many files and revert back to user settings on the rest of folders

3. User set Maximum and minimum pixel limits displaying largest size possible.

This was my previous list of feature requests, and yours was included. I'm sure Chris has his own plans and will get to them. I would love a full replacement for explorer.

[merlin1978]

Just downloaded Standalone Stack 2.0.5

Its great but I am having an error deleting my stack.

First I selected a stack then when I press the button to delete the stack selected an error occurs.

StandaloneStack : Leopard stack in your windows desktop has encountered a problem and needs to close.

We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Also my IE shortcut is not working, when I click it, it will just show me all my hard drives and my control panel. It acts as if it was a directory.

Thanks for this cool app.

By the way I am using WinXP service pack 2

do not double post - use the edit function - mps69

[puttaHHH]

Some future requests & bugs

1. A scrolling bar or down arrow to access the files which were of screen limit in stack

2. Move the ‘icon size setting’ from general settings to my stacks

Ex: it is good to have big icons for my computer stacks due to the limited number of icon but it isn’t nice for music folder which has more than 100 files

3. Open in explorer icon must be removed; double click on icon must lead to the explorer view instead

4. Ability to remove unwanted icon (only) from the stacks

5. Ability to retrace the path for the files opened in explorer

6. Ability to use the background skin

7. Ability to use the templates for different types of folder

7a).a upper (or any) bar which contains the actions (buttons) of assigned templates along with basic information such as number of files and disk space used

Eg-1: for music folder there must be a button enables the user to play them all in their desired media player. Especially in music folder, most of the user doesn’t want to have chessboard like icons and put their mouse cursor to know the name. so it is good to have a list of files as in list view in windows explorer (not like KK menu).

Eg-2: for video it’s good to have 6X4c.m thumbnails icon for good view and below that full name of the movie or video and a button in upper (or any) bar enables the user to play them all in their desired media player

Eg-3: for pictures folder it’s good to have 4X4c.m thumbnails and a slideshow button in the in upper (or any) bar

8. Bug: only video files shows the Thumbnails or animated icon not their shortcut

9. Bug: a folder can not be opened if it contains the shortcut of deleted application

10. Bug: present go-back to button won’t retrace the names of files which were opened in stack. That is if click on my computer stack icon and went to

Local disk (d)> new folder>Games>EA games>Sims go back button retraces (I mean text above it) only go back to new folder instead of respective previous folders

I won’t propose the idea of implementing the advanced modification option such as cut, copy, paste, drag and drop, re-naming the files, deleting etc. because stack is easy and attractive way to get to our files not to modify it. If these were implemented there would be defiant future request selecting multiple file, and then there would be request for right click interface then sooner or later stack would turned out to be a fully pledged explorer like windows explorer. I don’t mean to offend it also, if the people and developers really like this idea and if the developers happy to work on it, I would defiantly like to have stack like that.

Thank you

Edited July 11, 2009 by puttaH