This might be too much or off topic with what you have in mind...but I would really like to learn and/or understand HOW to write the scripts...in whatever language is best...Java, etc. I think if I had a general understanding I could go from there, kinda of like when I learned how to do html for geocities back in the day.

If you weren't planning on getting into this, could you recomend a good place to learn for a beginner...or even a good book on it. I have seen a lot of books on scripting at the bookstore, but not sure which code to focus on that DX uses.

Thanks Roman!

And thanks for all the help you have given me already!

Either VBScript or JavaScript. You'll find more examples of VBScript used in DesktopX though.
However, if you also plan to do some webdeveloping as well you might find JavaScript to be your language as you then only have to focus on one script language.

If I were you I'd stick to instructions/tutorials surrounding the most popular widgets. Obviously those are what people want to know how to do.

Many people seem to want instruction in general scripting but, excellent resources exist elsewhere including an excellent SDK from Microsoft. I'll try to post some more links to the DesktopX wiki of my personal favorites. Varying off into this direction most likely will confuse and frustrate many.

The possibilities within DesktopX using dxscripts alone are amazing. The other night I wrote an animated wallpaper strictly within desktopX without looking at any examples. Sure it uses more code than if I used some sort of array and/or loop but, it was quick and easy. I'll comment and upload it later.



What type of database? Access, Excel, XML, CSV, etc etc

Like the one he did here: https://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=133860

Here is something i did a while ago:
View Article

Although I have some of the basics down thanks to reverse-engineering Martin's scripts. I would really like to figure out how to do a graph. How do you control the images of the bars to get them to be the correct height and position them correctly?

I'm a very bar graph kind of guy, and I want to pull info from my web server so I can display it in a bar graph on my Desktop - I think that would be a cool and useful application of DX. But the first step would be to learn how to do the graph - after that would be the reading external values to display the graph.

Maybe I'm all alone in this one - if so, could someone point me to where I could do some reading to try and muddle through? Any help is gratefully appreciated.

I disagree. There's enough examples of the common widgets. The widget gallery is nowhere near to represent the true power of DX. I think more uncommon tutorials will be better and hopefully spark some new creations.

I agree.  If you want a weather widget that looks like X, reverse engineer one of the ones out there.  Same with clocks.

It's the difference between feeding a fish or teaching TO fish.

While I agree with you and truthfully enough entry level tutorials exist between the manual and articles. Maybe the direction should be more focused on intermediate/advanced scripting tutorials?



You know that's simple enough yet people still ask how to accomplish things that are demonstrated in already existing scripts.

This is an excellent guide!

Hi Dave, I might be the second most downloaded DX author on Wincustomize, but I ALWAYS have trouble making themes Resolution independant. I think this is an important feature and I would really like to know the best way to go about making themes that will resize to any resolution on installation.

Thanks....... Bry.

That's because they don't really want to touch any scripting them self. Which is fully understandable. But there is only that many ways of describing how to make a weather gadget. What they need isn't a tutorial on making a gadget, but scripting it self.
I'll be interesting with this new Gadget type SD will come out with where they apparently are skinable. Sounds like they are separating function and form.


This sounds like a good idea. I see questions about resolutions frequently.

I appreciate all the tips, but...lol

I don't wanna keep 'adapting' other peoples scripts or regurgitating the same widgets over and over. I have some idea for stuff I haven't seen yet. I guess I am looking for a good source reference or tutorial that actually will, or can, 'teach' me all the basics of Java (that seems to be the most popular) as it would apply to widgets and such so I can create the things I have stuck in my head.

There are a LOT of Java/VBSCRIPT references out there, but i was planning (and have) on having scripting tutorials that would cover the BASICS of scripts.

I believe there are a LOT of ideas out there... its making them a reality that is not the easiest.

I had thoughts a while ago of working on a "DX Service Site" that would allow people who want something built for them to go and request a quote, and maybe partner up with them on sales. IE: Holiday Countdown was the idea of Zubaz, and he and i worked together on that, he ripped it a new one, and i complained that i couldn't do what he thought it needed, then i made it do it, then he ripped THAT apart, etc. LOL

I do think that post#10 has the best approach to these tutorials, we can add more as we go, but its a good starting place.

All we need now is a dedicated web site to do this on.... wonder if stardock will give me space on a server? www.dxtutorials.com?

That would be awesome.