panagenda's Blog :: FREE MarvelClient Skinning Edition for IBM Lotus Notes

We are proud to herewith finally bring panagenda MarvelClient Skinning Edition 2.0 (also referred to as GYWAM 2.0 - Give Your Workspace A Makeover 2.0) to life - for FREE (click on the screenshot to download):

Note the system requirements: IBM Lotus Notes 6.x, 7.x, or 8.x (as of today; Notes 5 on request), any language, and setup / install type supported by IBM; Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, or Citrix / WTS.
A note especially - but not necessarily limited - to Notes 8 users: Textured Workspace must be enabled (which in Notes 8 it is not by default, hence the pastel look) --> User Preferences --> Check "Textured Workspace"; for bookmark maniacs, skinning also works with the virtual workspace (display bookmark folder as workspace).
Background image kindly provided by Ed Brill.
Portfolio icon from Jake Howlett' blog.

A gallery containing the fantastic skins of all skinning volunteers to follow shortly - we would in general very much appreciate, if you would share any customized skins you create with us, so that we can make them available to the community - naturally including appropriate credit (if not fame).
We will also add instructions in just a bit on how to create your own skins here (= on this blog) - Updated: Now to be found here.

In case you are also interested in further Lotus Notes client management features:
The skinning feature is naturally also included in panagenda MarvelClient Enterprise Edition, a solution for central(ized) Lotus Notes Client Management.

MarvelClient is the only Lotus Notes client management solution that works with the original Lotus Notes login dialog and applies changes immediately during client startup in as little as just a few hundred ms - no need for end users to restart their client again to apply changes that were downloaded just now, and a solution that is virtually unnoticable for end users.

MarvelClient Enterprise Edition allows to centrally manage (abstract):

Workspace pages (add, move, clear, delete, color, (re)name, ...)
Desktop Icons & Icon stacks (add, position, remove, (mass)change, ...)
Replicator page entries (add, position, set details, remove, (mass)change, ...
Replicas and local databases (add, (smart) remove, enforce, ...)
Bookmark folders and Bookmarks (including formula bookmarks; add, remove, position, (mass)change, ...)
Dedicated ECL Management (way beyond ECL Refresh)
Masschanges for any size of consolidation, recertification, and migration project - up to 1,500 changes per second make sure that end users that come back from e.g. a four week holiday don't have to go on holiday again waiting for a many changes to be processed, that may have piled up during their absence in larger projects.
Realtime control over which servers users (and their client ;-)) may/shall connect to
Realtime control over which databases may be created or deleted by end users
and more.

Thanks for stopping by!

Comments

@Aurora:

Once notes falls back to untextured workspace due to large font sizes we actually have no chance to fix that (since there are no textures to replace).

Good news is that with a set that has bigger than regular icon tiles skinning works fine even with large fonts. This modified version should do the trick: download

Markus Seitz, 2008-04-18 11:39

@Bastian: yes, but may well take two weeks given our current workload - it will then also include a feature to even email skin & dll to users
@Tom: thanks for the nice feedback :)

Florian Vogler, 2008-04-16 11:40

Maybe the upgrade to 8.5.1 changed something ?

The dll file and the skinning folder were still in the notes data folder.
I replaced them all with the original downloaded files, checked the notes.ini parameter.
Everything was still there.

Sandra, 2009-10-15 13:53

I agree. This is a much needed improvement. We never managed to get a new Workspace into the Notes 8 design although some early studies were promising. This is a very good substitute.

Using a very high screen resolution myself, the bitmap supplied is a little too small. Could probably figure out how to address that, but would be nice if this was handled by a tool.

Keep up the good work!

Niels J. Hansen, 2008-04-17 06:36

@Karen, Hi, yes it is working for me now. I took a copy of my notes.ini file (safety first)and then put the addin line into the copy, I quickly realised this and once in the .ini file it works like a charm.

I am on XP so not sure about Vista, don't see why it would cause an issue.

Steven Kennett, 2008-04-22 09:18

I just published some Bleed Yellow desktop skins. They are available here: http://www.bleedyellow.com/blogs/Spanky/entry/bleedyellow_skins_for_marvelclient_skinning

-Devin.

Devin Olson, 2008-04-18 23:03

Hi, I have the same Sandra's problem. Do you have a solution?

Thanks

Rejean, 2010-03-02 21:52

@Karen - looks like it's working for Steven now. I've not seen any Vista specific issues so far. If you like you could send me a log file (as described some posts above).

Markus Seitz, 2008-04-22 01:57

Hi Sandra,

just tried skinning in 8.5.1 - looks fine...

please make sure that "Textured Workspace" is enabled in Preferences/Basic Notes Client Configuration/Additional Options.

there's an issue with large font sizes - at a certain point notes falls back to untextured workspace regardless of above setting (could be fixed by creating a skin with larger tiles though^^)

Markus

Markus Seitz, 2009-10-15 12:47

This is really, really cool.

I played around a bit with this today. Here's the result ->http://www.elfworld.org/vis_dag.php?id=583

Elf, 2008-04-17 15:01

Very cool indeed. I hope I will find the time to fiddle around and create my own skin...

Jens Polster, 2008-04-16 15:28

This is terrific...unfortunately, it doesn't work on Windows if you've:

a) adjusted your screen dpi, via Display Properties | Advanced | General - DPI setting (Normal - 96 dpi works - Large Size (120) and Custom, do not) or

b) adjusted your Notes font size, via the Notes.ini

Actually "it doesn't work" isn't entirely true--everything loads (per the log.xml file mentioned by Markus, above)...but only the twisties show. Everything else reverts back to the standard, unskinned look. (I could be wrong--too lazy to test it now--but it seems to me that this was always a problem with the Notes textured workspace, as well--it stopped being textured, and the Workspace was just a plain, default Windows colored background, if you fiddled with any of these settings...)

I was able to get around this a *bit* by tweaking individual font sizes in Display Properties...but was defeated by the default font in my Administrator Client--it was just TOO tiny for me to read.

It surely would be nice if those of us with older eyes, and large LCDs with recommended resolutions that result in miniscule type, and have to resort to fiddling with dpi and font sizes, were able to play with skinning, too... :) (I'm happy that others can play with it, though--it really is nice--especially after I made a few background customizations...)

Aurora Vanderbosch, 2008-04-17 21:17

@steven kennet - i couldn't get it working either, did you resolve your problem? I am using Vista, cld this be an issue?

Karen Hooper, 2008-04-22 01:44

Hi Markus,

I added your line to the notes.ini, but i dont get a log.xml.
Do I need to replace the %notes_data% with the original Location D:\Lotus\Notesdata ?

I tried several things, but nothing worked.
What have I done wrong ?

Thanks
Sandra

Sandra, 2009-10-19 08:04

please add MC_WorkingDirectory=%notes_data%\mc\ to your notes.ini.

can you post the contents of log.xml (within mc folder in your notes data directory) after you restart your notes client?

Markus

Markus Seitz, 2009-10-15 14:02

If skinning doesn't work and you're sure you've set "textured workspace" property this technote might help...

Markus Seitz, 2008-04-17 19:23

Nice.

Florian Stamer, 2008-04-17 21:36

Very cool. Tx a lot.
A little tip: 'Textured Workspace' has to be enable in your User Prefs, or it doesn't work !

Theo Heselmans, 2008-04-16 11:02

how do i make the background not tile?
i just want the pic to be in the middle

f3f, 2008-08-02 10:40

Hi Sandra,

i've created a trouble shooting guide - http://blog.panagenda.com/pub/panablog.nsf/d6plinks/MARZ-7WVLH4 - but it currently focuses on font issues, so i doubt this will help you.

if you don't get a log than there's something wrong. my guess would be that the skinning dll doesn't load.

you need this in your notes.ini:
EXTMGR_ADDINS=mc_skinning.dll

there's a chance that there's already such an entry - in this case add mc_skinning.dll to the existing one, eg.:
EXTMGR_ADDINS=existing_em,mc_skinning.dll

the dll should be placed directly either in your client or data directory.

you don't have to change %notes_data% - it will be automatically replaced with the clients notes data at runtime.

i you don't mind you could send me your notes.ini:
markus.seitz(at)panagenda.com

Markus

markus seitz, 2009-10-19 16:27

Just FYI: A client of ours tried to download it and their firewall blocked it with a virus warning: Win32.Banker.AAK . I'm going to check this myself this week-end. But I suppose there would be other people reporting the same if there was an issue?!?

Gerald Mengisen, 2008-04-18 16:14

@Steven: just tested skinning in 8.01 basic, works fine here. make sure "textured workspace" is enabled in user preferences and notes.ini is changed as described in readme file.

if skinning still doesn't work you can add following line to your notes.ini:
MC_WorkingDirectory=%NOTES_DATA%\mc\

after restarting client there's a logfile in above order (log.xml). if you don't mind you can send it to markus.seitz(at)panagenda.com

Markus Seitz, 2008-04-16 15:16

Since many people have different screen resolutions it would be great to be able to center the background image. Any chance for that?

Jens Polster, 2008-04-17 19:49

Great work! Funtastic addon. Thanks for sharing this.

Christian Voigt, 2008-04-17 20:19

Will there also be a linux version?

Ronald Veldhuizen, 2008-04-17 09:37

Hi Theo, thanks for the note - Updated the blog post accordingly.

Florian Vogler, 2008-04-16 11:11

It is very good, I am trying to install on my sys.

Neeraj Sharma, 2008-09-17 10:13

Looks awesome wondering if it does have side effects...

Hedi Regaya, 2010-01-09 12:45

Great work guys thanks a lot! I'll buy you guys a beer!

Ronald Veldhuizen, 2008-04-17 07:29

Hello Florian,

are there any plans to build a lotus notes DB to install the "MarvelClient Skinning Edition"?

It would be nice to have a small DB where the user can choose the skin and press the button "apply" and then all the files will be copied to his data directory and the notes.ini will be changed.

Bastian Wieczorek, 2008-04-16 11:32

Whoops--I see Markus beat me to the punch, with the explanation about display properties. That wasn't there when I started writing my comment! ;)

Aurora Vanderbosch, 2008-04-17 21:19

@Markus - Thanks for this, I have since noticed my mistake (I put the addin line into my copy of the notes.ini file and not the actual one in use). I have grabbed my coat and called a taxi !

Thanks

;0)

Steven Kennett, 2008-04-16 17:12

Looking forward to a catalog being created, unfortunately I just don't have the time to play with this myself, but you guys are stars !

Steven Kennett, 2008-04-16 17:13

Hello,

I used to work with Notes 8.0 and the skin was working. Upgraded now to 8.5.1 and the skin doesnt work anymore.
Just the Notes default desktop.

Is this skinning not working in 8.5.1 ?

I replaced all files again and still the same. :(

Sandra, 2009-10-15 10:57

Hi, In a multiuser client installation (separated data file per user) can I put the skinnig directory in a common location ?

Regards

Eduardo Dalton, 2009-04-17 23:59

Um, not working for me, I have 8.0.1 Basic, put the folder in the correct place and .dll, restarted, no change ;0(

Steven Kennett, 2008-04-16 14:37

Hi @ll,
it is not working for me, checked the procedure some times....

Can it be a problem that we have the following

C:\Program Files\Lotus\Notes
with notes.ini and mc_skinning.dll

and data directory is

D:\Software\lotus\notes\data\
with folder skinning

The log.xml is also not working

any suggestions are wolcome

regards
Thomas

Thomas Roßmayer, 2008-07-30 09:57

@Florian

great... so there isn´t no need that I start to create one by my own... and I can spend some time in some more public skins ;-)

Bastian Wieczorek, 2008-04-16 13:58

the background image is too large, only shows part of the image, the ibm and lotus notes 8 logo is not shown. how to fix it?

babel juno, 2008-07-12 06:21

Any possibility to afix the workspace background so that is does not scroll if you scroll the workspace itself?

Sascha Reissner, 2008-04-16 13:33

Hello Markus,

Thanks for your quick reply.
I already checked the Textured workspace....it has been enabled.

I disabled it and enabled again. Nothing !
Used the original skinning which i downloaded from the website.
Replaced with my own background...
Background is still grey :(

Sandra

Sandra, 2009-10-15 13:50

A scan at http://www.virustotal.com resulted in 4 warnings out of 32 virus scanners:

eSafe 7.0.15.0 2008.04.17 Suspicious File
Ikarus T3.1.1.26.0 2008.04.18 Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Dluca.dj
Panda 9.0.0.4 2008.04.18 Suspicious file
Prevx1 V2 2008.04.18 Heuristic: Suspicious Self Modifying EXE

I suppose our client has just one of these scanners that find the file suspicious.... with 28 other virus scanners not finding fault with the file, it seems OK (nothing else expected).

Gerald Mengisen, 2008-04-18 20:01

I too, am having the same problem as Sandra. I'm using 8.5 on Windows7.

Erica, 2010-03-09 19:45

Just replace def_background.bmp...

Markus Seitz, 2009-06-22 12:12

Hi there,

I have put together a training video which shows how to install the solution you have put together. It can be found at the following link:
http://st1.rivettassociates.com/Web/Vaughans.nsf/dx/video-customizing-the-lotus-notes-workspace

Thanks for making this available to everyone.

Vaughan Rivett, 2008-04-30 07:41

Hello,
Downloaded and looking forward to trying it but haven't had much luck yet.

Followed instructions in readme, have not been able to locate a logfile with any reference to this item,
IE if skinning still doesn't work you can add following line to your notes.ini:
MC_WorkingDirectory=%NOTES_DATA%\mc\

after restarting client there's a logfile in above order (log.xml). if you don't mind you can send it to markus.seitz(at)panagenda.com

Tried thiese to, have enable textured workspace etc.

My data file location is under program files\ibm\lotus\notes\data
Is this an issue?
ver 8.0.1

Any help will be greatly appreciated! lOOKS GREAT!

Mike Harvey

Mike Harvey, 2008-06-26 21:09

He Florian,
Love it !! As was commented in your earlier announcement. We do not need , but boy does it make work a lot nicer.
Cannot wait to see the instructions on how to setup your own skins.
Thanx, - Tom -

Tom Steenbergen, 2008-04-16 11:35

How can I change default image for workspace? Just put image in skinning folder with nay name?

Babar Shamsi, 2009-06-22 07:46

HERO STATUS for Florian.

Great work! Thanks a lot!!!

Lars Olufsen, 2008-04-17 02:20

@Markus:

Thanks for the explanation--I hadn't really understood what you were doing in terms of replacing textures...I just knew what the symptoms were! ;)

You are quite correct--the modified version works like a charm: http://www.pbase.com/image/95778836 , and I'm delighted with it! You really ought to put both up there on your download page, as people who have to modify monitor settings for vision reasons often get the short end of the stick--we constantly deal with annoyances like fonts on the web that don't respond to resizing, or in applications that either a) don't resize, or b) DO resize--but their dialog boxes and line spacing doesn't, so you can't read what's in the box, even though the text is big enough! That means we appreciate the things that DO work, even more.

Thanks again! :)

Aurora Vanderbosch, 2008-04-18 16:36

this does not work on 8.5 version

Rakesh, 2011-08-29 13:58

Hi Rakesh, do you by chance have textured workspace disabled? It's disabled by default and that's the only reason we've found so far, that makes skinning not work. I personally have 8.5 and skinning works great :)

francie tanner, 2011-08-29 22:27

panagenda's Blog

A blog on Lotus Notes Client Management, Domino Server Monitoring and Reporting, ACL and Group Audit solutions and more...

FREE MarvelClient Skinning Edition for IBM Lotus Notes - now available

Comments

Post a comment

Comment preview

Search

Calendar

Tag cloud

Monthly Archives

Full Archive

Recent Visitors

About panagenda