EDIT: Version 0.0.2 * for bbLean only. Sources and a xoblite test version in separated zip files.

This version can be compiled for xoblite (#define XOBLITE preprocessor directive must be present at the beginning in bbbroam.cpp) and while not fully tested, it runs (starts at least) on xoblite.

TrackhedProductions suggested a MRU list like bbRun. It currently works but bbBroam itself doesn't know what's useful to store in the list, so it sends everything. Also you can manually set the MRUlist file to use (look in the .rc file). When using bbRun's MRUlist, bbBroam lines are not remembered however, because bbRun is not supposed to store @bbrun.run broams in its list, ATM.

(*) I got ill when i was programming this (not because programming i think but some cold weather viruses) for some weeks then i found out this new version was already working and it wasn't posted yet.

changelog:

0.0.2 (2007-06-02)
Added: MRU list. (test)
Fixed: some xoblite-compatible code.

0.0.1g (2007-05-30)

Fixed: Window positioning bug (when not using slit)
Fixed: Focus bug (Now it works and also restores previous focus)
Tested: 'Hidden Slit' option was tested

0.0.1f (2007-05-29)

added: xob compatibility, by unkamunka
fixed: 'About' dialog wasn't properly set and crashed blackbox.
Fixed: 'On Left Click' option was meant to be 'On Right Click'

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* Why bbLean? At the moment the plugin is just a few ideas, and most of them don't work under xoblite because they were conceived very 'bbLean-ish ' If you know what makes these two great shells different you'll know what I'm talkin' about.
Maybe part of this plugin plus some cool xob ideas could deliver something good for xoblite...
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This thingie was first intended as bbRun's interface, but then I changed my mind and decided it could be separated and use bbRun through @bbrun.run bro@m (which sends a line to bbRun just as if was typed in its dialog box). This way it suits to people who want to use the keyboard but also want a clickable, slittable, visible (maybe more hideable in the future) and stylized input box.

The project's first aim is to make a good console-like interface with bblean looks and behavior. Extra functionality like uberbox or bbrun is planned only after reaching its first aim.

bbBroam current features:

-You can type n send bro@ms.

-If no bro@m is typed, it sends your input as a Default Bro@m's argument . Preset is @bbrun.run <whatever you type> and the rest is bbRun's job. (The 'Default Bro@m' can be set it to anything, a plugin or program receiving instructions, for example.)

-CTRL+RightClick on the label/border zone (label can also be set) -> bbBroam menu.
-CTRL+LeftClick on label/border -> Move
-ALT+LeftClick on label/border -> Resize
-Text zone size/position can be configured by rc settings.

-bro@ms:


@bbBroam.drawBorder
@bbBroam.hiddenSlit
@bbBroam.alwaysOnTop
@bbBroam.useSlit
@bbBroam.snapWindow
@bbBroam.alphaEnabled
@bbBroam.alphaValue
@bbBroam.pluginToggle
@bbBroam.windowText
@bbBroam.defaultBroam
@bbBroam.onLeftClick
@bbBroam.editRC
@bbBroam.focus

'Hidden Slit' option explained:

When you do @bbbroam.focus (usually by hotkey) and bbSlit is hidden, bbBroam will work but it won't show up so you don't see what you're typing.
If "Hidden Slit" is activated, bbBroam assumes that bbSlit is hidden, and toggles the slit before getting focus, then toggles it again when you leave it
(<ESC> or <ENTER>). If you use bbBroam in slit mode like most slit plugins (mouse-controlled) then you don't have to worry.

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So, that's it. Just this little box at the moment.
Code is included. I built it from bbSDK code by grischka (the Messiah ) also inspired by stuff from tresni's sources mainly.

Feel free to make suggestions, etc...

Observations / Known bugs:
-Some useful bbbroam.rc settings may be not present in the config menu yet.
Bug: Lack of some borders when in slit. Frame looks smaller than plugin.

Wild "off the top of my head" suggestion:

How about having it pop up with a list|menu of "your favourite Broam" entries - sourced from bbBroam.rc? (OnClick would run that particular Broam.) That way you wouldn't have to carry so many Broams around in your head. Of course, you could set up the same functionality in bbInterface, but the maintenance could get rather fiddly.

That's interesting. I do that kind of job with aliases in bbrun, and I use a menu with favorites (@bbcore.showmenu fav.rc alias 'fav'). However this plugin is just an idea at the moment, and I'd like to update its aesthetics aspects first, to make it look and behave like most bb plugins.
I'm not into bbinterface/tcl yet, and maybe the same can be done there. (I haven't seen the recent works at it...)
The plugin's source code is c/c++ and it's made look easy with comments everywhere, so if anyone is interested in coding and adding stuff, or use this as part of a bigger thing, then feel free to do it. Just keep it as documented as possible (put comments in the sources, use descriptive names for variables in complex parts, etc.)

All said, it's good that you chose to branch this out of bbRun. (BTW thanks for that update.)

Minor niggles:

RightClick on the text on Enter in the interface produces the Menu specified in bbBroam.rc - LeftClick does "nada - y pues nada".
For the life of me, I can't figure out what @bbBroam.hiddenSlit is meant to do. (Maybe I'm just being thick.)

The code makes a call to GetMonitorRect when loading. This is not supported under xoblite - which means that it (presently) won't run under that shell. (There may be other issues FAIK.)

Yeah, I still think bbRun would look pretty with a more bb-style, but not yet. I need some improvements.

Sorry. A lefty's mistake. Gonna change bro@m name to "RightClick".



Sorry again... I can't even remember what was that supposed to be
Could be related to the focus problem when the plugin is in slit. A possible idea to solve it, not complete though.



Yeah, that's bbLean-only I think. I did it the easy way. Must be rewritten for wider compatibility.

Thanks a lot for your comments.

I can't believe I've missed this for months.

Amazing. 1 day of usage so far and I'm loving it.

This is a recompiled version that runs under both xoblite and bbLean.

The only functional difference between this version and 0.01g is that the call to GetMonitorRect has been commented out - as this prevented it loading under xoblite. Conditional compilation for this call is not possible - as it is outside the scope of the Shell API.

(GetMonitorRect not being there may remove the hiddenSlit functionality - for those who wish to access bbBroam in an autohidden Slit.)

The default bbbroam.rc contains 2 different bbBroam.onRightClick: settings - as menus work differently under xoblite.

As xoblite users (may) know, @xoblite Menu SetRCPath <path> resets your entire default menu. This is the default bbBroam.onRightClick setting in bbbroam.rc for xoblite users. There is also a "Houdini" broam in the default replacement menu (broams.rc) - which will get your original default menu back. More xoblite specific broams can be found here.

changelog:

0.01h (2007-06-12)
* full functionality under xoblite
* conditional compilation (in 0.0.1g) removed

0.0.1c (2007-05-30)
* onLeftClick has been renamed onRightClick.
* the text at the left of the window is no longer configurable.

You may have to keep it permanently loaded in the Slit. YMMV

The attachment unzips an entire bbBroam folder - source code included.

[Edit: This build requires the MSVC 8 runtimes - downloadable here ].

i get an incompatability error on latest bbleanmod build with this mod, Unkamunka

Trackhed, my apologies, it needs the MSVC 8 runtimes (see my now edited post). Your post got up before the edit to mine.

Ok er...few problems.

1) Default text thingie doesn't work anymore
2) Menu item also needs to be changed to On Right Click

(these are with unkamunka's mod)

Minor bug fixes and a feature addition. The visibility outside the Slit issue remains unresolved.

The attachment to my upload post has been changed as nothing has been taken out. (Tested on bbClean & xoblite on win2k & on vista.)

All the menu issues that folks have mentioned here & on #bb4win have been cleaned up.

There is one new menu addition - Read Settings - meaning that (other than resizing - see below) no overall reload is needed.

FWIW settings are rewritten immediately on changing the FE. They are not overwritten on unloading.

Thanks a lot unkamunka! I've fixed and updated to version 0.0.1f with the corrections you've made for xoblite as precompiler directives (#ifdef VC_EXTRALEAN #ifndef...) I have not tested it though (with xoblite) I hope it works...

The kind words are much appreciated.

As written, the conditional compilation does not work on xoblite. I'll continue to try to finalise a workaround.

I'm posting an update (0.0.1g) with the feature "Hidden Slit" tested.

"Hidden Slit" is a half-solution to fix the focus problem when bbSlit is set to 'AutoHide'.
I say "half" because the whole solution (the one I'm thinking about) is to check whether bbSlit.autohide setting is true or false in blackbox.rc. every time you do '@bbbroam.focus'. I didn't solved it that way because I thought opening another file would increase memory use for just a single check (I don't know really how much, bbLean people pls correct me if i'm wrong) and 'bbSlit.autoHide' is something I don't toggle very often.

This feature's use is now explained in the main (first) post.

unkamunka: I found a typo (my fault) and corrected it. Now it should compile fine.

i think that a most recently used option would be extremely useful in this (like bbrun's mru selection)