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    What's new in Aston

     
     

    Aston 1.9.6

  • Improved Windows Vista support.
  • Increased stability and performance.
  • Improved support for multimonitor system.
  • Fixed bug with shutdown and recycle options.
  • Fixed bug with Aston2 Menu start.
  • Fixed bugs in DiskEx, Recycle bin, Panel and Nettrafic plug-ins.
  • Fixed bug with plug-ins setting.
  • Fixed bug with shells switching.
  • Fixed bug with the installation in Windows Vista.
  • Fixed bug with the folders displaying in the Main Menu.
  • Fixed bug with the item paths.
  • Fixed bug with the new desktop elements coordinates.
  • Aston 1.9.5

  • Recyñle bin plug-in is re-written anew.
  • Icons can now be deleted from the desktop to the recycle bin
  • New AltDesk control plug-in is added into the distributives.
  • "Run as..." option is added to the context menus.
  • Fixed bug: error shell swapping.
  • Fixed bug: error the themes application.
  • Fixed bug: trouble with installation in Windows Vista.
  • Fixed bug: error with the context menu items under Windows Vista.
  • Fixed bug: error in Search plug-in.
  • Fixed bug: error in DiskEx plug-in.
  • Fixed bug: error with the icons displaying in the tray.
  • Aston 1.9.4

  • Aston now supports AltDesk "Individual set of icons for each desktop"
  • When placing an icon of a picture to the desktop, the picture itself is not opened
  • Shell stability is increased. Now the shell will not crash even in case there is a mistake in some of the plug-ins
  • Event option is added to the Calendar. It lets you to create a reminder about some occasion for a certain date
  • Panel plug-in is completely rewritten anew
  • Fixed bug: previews error in Win2000 - now previews don't cause Aston crash
  • Fixed bug: error on context menu call for some plug-ins.
  • Fixed bug: tray hints were sometimes displayed incorrectly (flickering effect on displaying hints)
  • Lots of fixed bugs in Search, Main Menu, DiskEx and SkinClckEx plug-ins
  • Aston 1.9.3

  • Vista support
  • New Aston RSS reader plug-in is added
  • Theme Wizard is described in the documentation
  • *.ani files are supported in .ankz
  • Themes are now extracted to the same directory where configuration files are located.
  • Calendar plug-in now has Z-order
  • Creation and editing of .ank and .ankz files is significantly simplified via "Edit element" dialog
  • Recycle option is available again in the desktop context menu, optionally enabled
  • Fixed bug with multimonitor support
  • Fixed bug in MS Excel task support
  • Apps, which place their icons to the tray, are now visible in the tray (have "Always show" status by default)
  • Fixed bug with .atz file creation
  • Fixed bug with the profile creation
  • Fixed bugs in AstAmp
  • Fixed bug in APC files loading
  • Fixed bug in .ank files saving
  • Fixed bugs in Panel plug-in
  • Fixed bug with the tray icons hits display
  • Version 1.9.2

  • Multimonitor support (you can place different wallpapers and icons on all monitors)
  • A-Master's GUI is rewritten to be even more logical and easy to use
  • Theme Wizard is 90% rewritten anew, featuring new Theme selection and compiling dialogs
  • New default Themes
  • Support for compiled Themes in ATZ format
  • Completely new documentation, created from the scratch
  • New Theming tutorial, reflecting the most recent changes in Aston skinning
  • Redesigned plug-in configuration: now supports tabs, has a way more logical config structure
  • Most default plug-ins are updated
  • New resource type supported: 3pic (two flanks, a middle part plus glass)
  • New resource type supported: ANKz: zipped ANK files plus all required images
  • Tray clock plug-in now has a build-in calendar
  • New search plug-in, supporting a variety of search engines (the list is updated online)
  • Tray can be tuned to Explorer XP-like behaviour
  • More logical overall Tray behavior
  • Tray can automatically restore on mouse over
  • Taskbar supports 3PICs, added icon offset
  • Main menu supports 3PICs, footers, headers, glass effects plus has more options for Theme creators
  • Start button supports ANK animation
  • Task previews
  • Dragging icons with SHIFT pressed displays coordinates
  • Option for global transparency disabling (troubleshooting)
  • Fast config edit buttons
  • Lots of bugfixes (too many for listing here)
  • Lots of small tweaks (too many for listing here)
  • Version 1.9.1

  • New plugin "DisksEx", a successor to the "Disks".
  • New plugin "Panel", a successor to the "Toppanel".
  • New plugin "RecycleBinEx".
  • New default Theme included.
  • The Aston icon in system tray is now skinnable and removable.
  • Added word wrap option for the Notebook plugin.
  • Improved plugins' skin settings.
  • Plugins folder is now opened by default when adding new plugin in the A-master.
  • Fonts folder is now opened by default when adding new Font in the Theme Wizard.
  • Fixed bug when saving an AltDesk skin within Aston Theme.
  • Recommended resolution is put into comments when saving a Theme.
  • Fixed bug with reading icons for removable devices in the TopPanel and the VertPanel.
  • Fixed bug with an error message when removing discs from CD-ROM.
  • Fixed bug with rebuilding icons in the Theme Wizard.
  • Fixed bug with mouse sensitivity adjustment in the A-master.
  • Fixed bug when displaying a Desktop icon whilst dragging.
  • Fixed bug when displaying folder names with dot symbol.
  • Fixed bug when saving Themes in the Theme Wizard.
  • Fixed bug with load default skin in AClock.
  • Version 1.9

  • support for PNG and alpha blending (not only in 2K/XP).
  • support for 32 bit icons with alpha channel.
  • taskbar border is removed (with disabled Autohide and enabled Lock taskbar option).
  • taskbar icons in Windows XP now have transparent background.
  • "native" shadows for text in Windows XP (optional).
  • fixed bug with reading ANK files.
  • fixed bug with drag'n'drop to the Quick launch plugin.
  • better support for multimedia keyboards.
  • improved autorun for CD/DVD in Windows 2K/XP, new autorun.plg plugin for Windows NT/9X/ME.
  • autostart is disabled while booting in safe mode.
  • improved work of context menu in the Main menu plugin.
  • new options for the notebook.plg: Print & PageSetup commands; user can set an icon for toolbar item.
  • fixed display/configuration bugs in the vert/top panel plugins.
  • new analog clock plugin with numerous advanced features like layered display, date display, new antialiased hands, shadows, "ghost mode", etc... (read plugin's documentation for more info).
  • Theme Wizard:
    • Themes are now sorted by names.
    • Current Theme is highlighted.
    • Fixed bug with adding fonts.
    • AltDesk skin can be saved within Themes now.
  • Aston Master:
    • fixed bug with negative coordinates in the plugin settings.
    • tooltips for all elements.
    • new features to save/load settings and skins of any standalone plugin.
  • Version 1.8.2

  • Significantly increased stability!!! (More bug fixes than you can shake giant baobab at ;).
  • New Shell Swapper:
  •      New option: "Install the shell for All Users or for Current User only".
  •      Shell Swapper can be used as the shell.
  •      Aston startup modes (to protect Aston from errors that occur if Explorer or IE extensions are used).
  •      Shell Swapper can restore system colors, cursors, icons etc when switching the shell.
  • Fixed: slow logoff in XP.
  • Added new plug-in "VertPanel".
  • Added new options:
  •      "Autoload from registry" (enables/disables autoload from registry - now you don't have to hold down to prevent autoload).
  •      "Loading an shell objects".
  • New "Icon offset" option (for toolbars).
  • New "find files" algorithm (more stable).
  • Fixed: GPF during "Recycle" if there is an open any plug-in menu.
  • Fixed: some tray icons are missed at startup.
  • Fixed errors in "TopPanel" plugin.
  • Some improvements in "TopPanel" plugin.
  • Fixed: zero divide error and CPU usage histogram errors in CPU95nt plug-in.
  • Some improvements for Zoom (now you can setup zoom screen refresh timer; it properly shows transparent apps in Win 2K/XP).
  • Some improvements for ClipView (it supports new formats - CF_OWNERDISPLAY, CF_HDROP (files); tooltip shows text when CF_TEXT format is available).
  • New significant features in Notebook (up to 7 sheets with changeable names, icons; password protection for each sheet (AES algorithm); read only mode).
  • New "Icon" option for Terminator2 plugin.
  • Fixed: memory leak error in QuickLaunch.
  • Fixed: memory leak error in DeskPanel; icons positions error.
  • Fixed: stretched wallpapers error in 256 colors screen mode.
  • Fixed: 3 GPF at Aston exit.
  • Fixed: toolbars disappear when fullscreen windows aren't open.
  • Fixed: sometimes Thwizard doesn't save toolbar caption properly.
  • Fixed: Thwizard doesn't save control panel icon properly.
  • Fixed: some A-master errors.
  • Fixed: user can't launch system folders in Win95 + Win98 (except SE).
  • Version 1.8.1

  • Fixed bug: the "Panel caption" option doesn't work.
  • Fixed bug with Y-position of toolbars.
  • Fixed bug in the "Element's editing" dialog.
  • Fixed bug with Theme Wizard with theme creation.
  • Fixed bug: smetimes a little CPU overloading.
  • Version 1.8

  • Added: new advanced ANK format for animated icons!!!
  • Added anim files support.
  • A-Master's appearance changed.
  • Added new plug-in "TopPanel".
  • Added skins for toolbars' captions.
  • Added new options "Lock Taskbar".
  • Added context menu setup.
  • Added: font type setup for "Tip of the Day".
  • Added: "Panel on the top" and "Smooth toolbar appearance" settings are can be different for different toolbars
  • In Win XP/2000, configuration files can be kept in ...\Documents and Settings\%UserName%\Application Data\Aston\ folder to support for local and roaming profiles.
  • Fixed bugs in SHDOCTOR.
  • Fixed bugs in "Quick launch" panel.
  • Fixed bug in "Setup tray icons" dialog.
  • Fixed bugs with Theme Wizard with theme creation theme.
  • Fixed bug in Main Menu.
  • Version 1.7

  • Added: support for jpg files (directly, without converting to bmp).
  • Added: the "Setup tray icons" command.
  • Added: the "Task manager" command to context menu of taskbar (in Win NT/2000/XP).
  • Now you can drag'n'drop icons to the "Quick launch" panel.
  • Added: new "Hint format" option for the "Taskbar clock".
  • Fixed: disappearance of icons when change the screen mode.
  • Improved algorithm of wallpaper's stretching.
  • Fixed bug with the "PopupFolder" menu command.
  • Fixed bugs in "Quick launch" panel.
  • Fixed bug with non-rectangular shape of toolbars.
  • Fixed bug with copying of desktop elements.
  • Fixed: flickers applying the theme.
  • Added: tooltips in "Toolbar's setup" dialog.
  • Improved most of plug-ins.
  • Version 1.6.2

  • Fixed bug: the "stretch skin" option doesn't work in the "Quick launch" panel.
  • Creation of shortcuts for the directories is improved.
  • Fixed bug: during loading, ..\windows\system folder pops up on the screen.
  • Added: the "Network connections" dialog in Win XP.
  • Fixed bug: invalid options cause a crash in the "Theme wizard".
  • Fixed bug with installation of the fonts from a theme in Win XP.
  • Fixed bug with extracting of an icon from the UPX-executable files.
  • Version 1.6

  • Now, the "StayOnTop" option separate for taskbar and toolbars.
  • New options for the main menu and tasbar.
  • Transparency for the menu, taskbar, toolbars in Win2k/XP.
  • Fixed bugs with applications' autoload from the registry, the "RunOnceEx" key is now supported (important for IE setup and Windows Update).
  • Fixed bug with transparency in notebook.
  • New context menu for the desktop elements.
  • Fixed bug with "Computers' find" in Win NT4, Win98.
  • Fixed bug with "application toolbars" in Win XP.
  • Assigned font for the "tip of the day".
  • Fixed bugs with some applications: ZoneAlarm, 602 office, "multimedia keyboard" utility.
  • Fixed bug in "Popup folder" with long filename.
  • Added new utility SHDOCTOR, which can easy prevent "shell not found" problem in Win9x/ME.
  • Fixed bugs with Theme Wizard with theme creation and removal.
  • 256-colors video modes are now supported.
  • Now, "Recyle bin" icon renews automatically in Win 98, (and NT4, Win 95 with IE 4.0 or later).
  • Keyboard layout indicator is now supported XP.
  • Fixed bug: the taskbar covers up the portion of screen in "Half-Life".
  • Fixed bug with drag'n'drop in main menu setup.
  • Fixed bug with "Cut" - "Cancel" in setup.
  • Fixed bug with wallpapers' setup.
  • Version 1.5

  • Added new powerful "Theme Wizard" (instead of "Theme Creator" and "Theme Manager").
  • No 10 elements limitation in the trial version.
  • New nice interface, Win XP visual style.
  • Built-in themes are replaced.
  • Added new MenuEx.plg (instead of LsMenu & Menu97).
  • Added *.ICL-files support!
  • Added "Network Connection Status" support (Win 2000, XP). Rasmon.exe was removed.
  • The "Start" button can be in a three states.
  • Users can create the own profiles.
  • Added new "Lock" option for the icons on desktop.
  • Fixed _nasty_ bug with icon's overlay image!
  • Added Windows icons customization.
  • New button "Edit tips.rc".
  • Added new commands: "Lock Workstation" ("Switch User" in XP), "Show/hide tray icons".
  • Added new menu commands: Popup Contol Panel, Popup Desktop.
  • Now Aston's setup will create the default theme, which is used at uninstall.
  • Fixed bug: logon delay in Win XP.
  • Fixed bug in PrintMon.
  • Fixed several bugs in Shell Swapper.
  • Fixed bug with drag & drop on the desktop.
  • Fixed bug with icon's offset setup.
  • Fixed bug with hidden explorers in NT4.
  • Remaked nearly all the plug-ins, improved their functionality (especially, Quick Launch, Terminator, Mail Checker).
  • Fixed bug with the "Minimize all" button in the quick launch.
  • Version 1.4.0

  • Support for Windows ME/XP added!
  • "Files find" dialog is able to call with Win ME/2000/XP.
  • "Computer search" dialog is able to call with Win ME/2000/XP.
  • "Fonts", "Network Neighborhood" and "Printers" folders are accessible with Win ME/2000/XP.
  • Some bug with tray icons fixed (Win XP).
  • Folders can be opened using Win ME/2000/XP command prompt.
  • Some bug with IE fullscreen fixed.
  • TaskManager's "Hide when minimized" option is now works with Win 2000/XP.
  • "Win" key now calls main menu (Win 2000/XP).
  • CPU monitor supports new AMD processors.
  • Options to turn off left/right toolbar added.
  • In Notebook plug-in: Ctrl+A hotkey added ("Select All").
  • Recycle Bin, CD-DISK icons renews automatically (Win ME/2000/XP).
  • Version 1.2.6

  • Added command "Empty recycle bin" to context menu of recycle bin.
  • Fixed bug with Shell Swapper in Win ME.
  • Fixed bug with "Dialup Networking" dialog in Win2000.
  • Fixed bug with Audio CD autorun.
  • Fixed bug with selecting wallpapers in win2000
  • Fixed bug with very long tooltips.
  • Improved setup of toolbars.
  • Version 1.2.5

  • Added import explorer icons into Aston.
  • Added context menu for Start button.
  • Added context menu for Main Menu items (Win98,2000 only).
  • Added setting for icons offset in toolbars.
  • Fixed bug: taskbar over fullscreen apps.
  • Fixed bug with applications' autoload from registry.
  • Fixed bug in Main Menu with empty first item.
  • Changed algorithm of loading *.bmp (RLE4,8) files.
  • Version 1.2.4

  • Added network connections monitor for Win2000.
  • Quick launch panel changed, so it resizes automatically depending to icons' quantity.
  • Fixed bug in Printmon.
  • Enhanced hotkey control.
  • Version 1.2.3

  • Now, WIN key can be used in any hotkeys setting.
  • Fixed bug with toolbars appearance.
  • Fixed bug in "Wallpaper Changer" plug-in.
  • Changed plug-ins API format, please download new versions of all plug-ins.
  • Version 1.2.2

  • Fixed bug with ICQ startup.
  • Found bug in Corel Draw (cause a crash) and we made patch for it.
  • Fixed bug with executing any *.html files from the local disks in Win2000.
  • Added support for Win2000 systray.
  • Changed user interface of Theme Creator.
  • CPU monitor supports more than one processor in WinNT/2000.
  • Added new plug-in - Wallpaper Changer.
  • Version 1.2.1

  • Fixed bug with long filenames in plug-ins section.
  • Version 1.2

  • Added: skin on Taskbar and Systray.
  • Added: partial support for *.scf files.
  • Added: support for "MacVision" pseudo-shell.
  • Added: double click on taskbar clock show the dialog of adjusting the date and time.
  • Enhanced functional possibilities.
  • Enhanced support for DDE.
  • Vastly raised stability (added: explorer-like exception handler).
  • shswdos.exe - now works at quick computers.
  • Changed: algorithm of work with *.ani files (now does not cause error on some video cards).
  • In themes possible to include *.jpg files as wallpaper.
  • In themes possible to include the plug-ins' configuration information, system colors and cursors.
  • Reduced size of program.
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