Learning about development!

Ok well hello first of all, this is my first post.

Basically, i got into the whole iMac customization and loved the fact that i could have all the power of XP and the looks of a Mac in one PC.

Anywayz i have a fair understanding of C++ and am now learning Visual Basic using the free express thingy from microsoft. I got off to a pretty good start ya know, i managed to build a fully functional system preferences box, and "About this Mac" box. I am proud of them but they are the simplest of things to do.

My main aim, is to create a PC based version of the Mac. I know it sounds ambitious but heck i am willing to spend as long as i need to on it.. I want to make everything mac and none of it will be stuff i have downloaded. Everything from the finder bar, system preferences, screen savers, dialogs everything...

Pretty ambitious i know...

Anywayz i have hit a dead end.. Basically there are a couple of things about Visual Basic which i can't seem to understand and can't find anywhere on the net or help files. Things like how to lanch a program i could only work out from looking at other source files which was:

System.diagnostics.process.start ()

Are there any help files which can help me to learn how to program this way so i can do things like display and ordered file hierachy, or set system properties like mouse speed or wateva...

Finally if anyone would like to help me complete this immensely complicated task then feel free to MSN me at RichadCrosby2006@hotmail.co.uk

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Richard,

Well, I think firstly i may have spoken to soon. I have done some more research and thus discovered the "MY" namespace or wateva you call it. I think i am right in saying that i can do a lot with that e.g. read data about the computer such as it's name and network connections..

Please don't mistake me for some programming ****. i can program fairly well in about 3 or 4 different languages and i am just starting in VB which i think i have got the hang of now...

Basically my offer is still open for anyone that wants to help me in my project...

Post here to discuss...

Richard,

#399565

Are you basically trying to create like a VirtualMac program?

Wow, this is ambitious. Best of luck to you.

-Ertai

#399625

Instead of trying to accomplish such a huge task why not focus on something smaller for example a Adium 1:1 clone: http://www.adiumx.com/? I know I and this entire community would really appreciate it ;D

#399635

Just wondering, are you aiming for one program that does it all, or a bunch of little programs that can be used together? I'd aim for the second one just so that if you stop halfway through, you'll still have released some nice programs .

-NC

#399666

Actually, here is exactly what i aim to do...

Basically, you could seperate the majority of the Mac OS X operating system into seperate parts and i want to have a stab at is piece at a time..

Like to start with create a Finder Bar Clone. I know there are all millions out there but the whole aim of the project will be to create an installer which handles everything that i create, for those who want to experience what Mac OS X is like without buyin a mac. So... You run the installer and it automatically installs the finder bar, and the object dock, and the widgets, and the programs like mouse control, system preferences, network connections.

I want a front on Windows, so there is nothing of the original windows there, much like a shell such as litestep. BUT IT'S NOT A SHELL....

It may seem a little wierd but i think you may get the picture.

Richard

EDIT: Yeah my aim is to create loads of little programs that basically come part of a big installer. I will probable distribute these all seperately as well, but the purpose is so that thoe who aren't maybe as hi-tech is some of you peeps here can just click install and have a mac looking windows...

#399671

If you know C++, stick with it. It will make you much happier than Visual Basic in the long run.

#399674

EDIT:

I have some piccies that i thought i'd take of some messing arund i did when i was thinking of this project. These are still Uber:Beta so you don't HAVE to comment...I guess you don't HAVE to comment anywayz, but you now what i mean! lol.

This was my test on the system preferences. It is fully working however it still only links to the windows control panel extensions. My aim is to create all the panel settings for the mouse, keyboard etc

And here is my quick 5 sec jobby on the AboutBox.. Againt not finished, and later i will get onto perfecting it.

My aim here is to create the most realistic looking programs around. I don't care if it takes me a long time..personally a job half done, is a job not done at all....If that's the saying..i can never remember...

Bye now

Richard

Noone has comment...

Ah well i shall continue anywayz. I have hit a slight problem when designing the network connect software that you see on a mac. Basically i can't find any api command which reads the network name and what have you which i can input as a string into my app!

So i thought i would try with the registry. I found the key but for some reason i can't get the data from there and output it again to a string label..

Really annoying me at da mo!

Any help is geratly appreciated!

Richard,

#399675