WebSite Thumbnail Panel Version 1.7 is now available.

This panel shows a thumbnail image of a web site. The thumbnail can be refreshed at regular intervals. The image can also be zoomed to allow capture of a smaller section of a web page.

Download it from here.

Installation:
Please download the DSPACKAGE file from the Extension Exchange here and double-click on it when DS is running.

Note: Because of the way Desktop Sidebar updates panels it is possible that you will lose your current WebSite Thumbnail configuration. Please backup your current configuration before proceeding.

Release History:
Version 1.0

• Initial release

Version 1.1

• Fixed 'black square' problem
• Captures single screen or whole web page
• Can be optimised for different web site screen size layouts
• Drag-and-drop of URLs
• Thumbnail images can be saved to disk
• Option to switch off auto-refresh
• Option to switch off details window
• Popup windows are blocked
• Fixed window-not-refreshing problem

Version 1.2

• Fixed installation issues

Version 1.3

• Added ability to scroll the image
• Added option to open URL in web browser on click

Version 1.4

• Added ability to zoom the image

Version 1.5

• Corrected a problem with saving settings. Note: This may affect your current settings.
• Resizing the panel when zoomed-in now works

Version 1.6

• Added a feature to automatically check for new versions of this panel.

Version 1.7

• Fixed an issue whereby a thumbnail would fail to update.

Notes:
1. This has been tested with Build 75 of DS.

2. The panel is written in C# so you'll need the .NET Framework 1.1. This can be downloaded from the Microsoft Update site.

3. Because it's written in C# you'll see an increase in memory usage if it's the only .NET panel you have loaded.

4. Use Panel Properties to set available configuration.

5. You can open many instances of the thumbnail panel in order to show different web sites.

Sweet panel KeithI! Works great on my computer. Nice job.

Hmm. I get a black box inside the panel when I use the properties to enter the webpage. But from the box on the panel, it works great.

New Note:
I was trying an ASP page with a login.

Very cool and handy!

Great job!

I haven't tried others, but I'll try. I'll shoot you a PM of the address I'm using (client ASP page).

I get the same black-square with the ASP page you sent me. I'll look into it.

I have also the black square problem.
I've entered to the panel this address: http://www.tapuz.co.il/tapuzforum/main/for...mpage.asp?id=89 (it's a forum page in Hebrew).
When I hovered on it, I got the error message which is below.

Prism, I think that error comes from IE itself and not this panel. I got it in edonkey today. I think it is a new thing since SP2.

Works fine for me. Quuestion for users out there: What type of sites do you see yourself using with this application? I am trying the DS forums right now, but it seems too small to really tell when something changes.

One idea I had would be for live scoring updates for my Fantasy Football leagues during the games. That will be cool!

Anyone else have ideas?

Coult69

I've found that undocking a panel and putting it on my desktop works really well. You can resize the window so that it is visible, but doesn't take up too much space.

I can keep a check on the BBC news site easily now .

Sorry, for praising my own panel

Great panel One of the best panels I've seen. It is really useful. How did you do it so fast ? It would have taken a month for me to do it. I love your panels Perfect work !!!

A few suggestions:
-Add an option to save the image (it will be useful if you want to capture a site that shows a big image that you cannot show in the slideshow panel)
-Let the user choose wether to refreash the panel or not. Sometimes I rather update it only when I want.
-Change the name of the panel - "thumbnail" might be interperted wrong. I renamed it to "Thumbrowser" but that's a funny name

Hope to see a new version soon

Thanks yyy.

I agree with your suggested improvements - but I'm not sure about the name. Any ideas other than Thumbrowser?

Ok - I was joking about the name Nice to see you like my suggestions

Another idea - can you add a drag and drop option so we will be able to drag a url to the panel and see it? It will be great.

Yes

Cool stuff!

One thought, can you make the default details win a bit bigger.

I'm using it with http://www.desktopsidebar.com/forums/index...rch&CODE=getnew as my url. Keeps me posted of new topics from my last visit

I think 'Snapshot' would work better as a name.

How about adding multiple site support in just one panel and then show all sites in a slideshow just like the slide show panel. Don't forget to add some button too. That would be awesome

Name suggestion: Since the function of this panel is to monitor site changes, I think the suitable name would be "Web Monitor". Hmm, someone can think of a better name than me

Crash - when undocked and right clicking->Panel Properties, DS crashes without any error message, simply closes without a trace.
I can't repro it, but it happened once.

This is TOTALLY the same problem I am having with the Alarm Panel. Most of the time it works, and then some action causes it to close without a trace, and I can never reproduce it! It is driving me crazy. I still think that the connection is the Right Click menu bug. In some form or another, DS will crash close to the time you open up the the context menu. It only happens with third party panels as far as I know. Supposed to be fixed on the next build I think.

You mean that DS just shuts down in a second? Yes - that also happens to me (not with this panel). I believe it is because something is wrong with the code. The problem is what? Another problem is that it sometimes happens and sometimes not If DS could show what was wrong or at least not to close itself so fast it could have been better.

Hi guys,

so far, the tumbnailer looks pretty good. I have one minor problem with it. Seems, that not everybody is having it, but I have a friend, who has it as well. Here comes : The thumbnail does not get updated. Everything works fine, but on occasion (that means, I'm not sure, if it depends on specific sites, or if it is related to other things) there is no update after the initial shot. Additional info I can give is, that thumbs where this happens can not be changed to other websites. The big picture however _is_ updated, just the thumbnail itselfs stays the same old thumbnail of the former site.

Besides that, I'm pretty happy with this plugin


Dietmar

I'm working on a new version that should be ready in a day or two. It will include some new features, but most importantly it should fix the black-square problem and be more stable.

Watch this space

I hope you do know that the panel doesn't block pop ups - it shows the window that appears when you get a PM from the forum. I don't care but just in case others care.

Ok. Can't wait to see the next verison.

Version 1.1 is now available. Please refer to the first post in this thread.

I don't know of any remaining problems - but I'm sure you'll let me know if you find any .

Please note that the new version will only work with Build 85 of DS.

I get an error message box when I try to install the panel (see screenshot). Maybe that's because I upgrade?

Can you check if you have the following file installed:

Program Files\Microsoft.NET\Primary Interop Assemblies\Microsoft.mshtml.dll

I've temporarily reverted back to Version 1.0 in the Extension Exchange - whilst I sort this issue out.

The mshtml.dll file is large (7.6Mb) and therefore I am reluctant to add it to the dspackage file. However, I'm not sure at the moment if there is any other way of doing it.

Can you check if the file exists anywhere else on your computer.

I have it - but what should I do with it ?

Can you tell me which folder you found it in.

Then, can you copy the file into the thumbnail plugin folder. Re-run the dspackage file and if it doesn't report an error then restart DS and verify that the panel works OK.

Then, delete the mshtml.dll file from the thumbnail plugin folder. Run regasm on the mshtml.dll file in its original folder. Re-run the dspackage file and if it doesn't report an error then restart DS and verify that the panel works OK.

Let me know the results.

Thanks for your assistance

I've found it in the bin directory of the SharpDevelop installation directory But it probably won't help you (not everyone uses that program).
I copied it into the panel's directory and ran DS but I got an errror mesage box. Then I deleted the whole panel's files in the panel's directory so DS won't recognize it, and opened the dspackage file in order to reinstall the panel when the "mshtml.dll" file is already there. Then it worked. I have to say that I really like the new version Especially the option to capture the whole webpage.

OK - now that I know it works I guess I'm going to have to redistribute the mshtml.dll file with my panel. But first I'm going to open a new thread asking for better suggestions.

I'm glad you like the new version - sadly I think that you're the only person using it at the moment

It is sad I don't know how you're going to shrink a 7.6 mb file into less then 1.95 mb (which is the minimal size of an uploaded file in here) but good luck I'll try to think of a solution Good work

yyy, 1.95 MB is the restriction for the forum, I don't think it's for the ExEx.

Version 1.1 has been reinstated in the Extension Exchange.

Please let me know of any problems - particularly on installation.

I doesn't work since the installation file doesn't extract Microsoft.mshtml.dll to the plugin's directory. Change the install file so that this file will be coppied BEFORE you register thumnail.dll .

I'm having some problems with the ExEx. I am no longer listed as the author of the panel and therefore I can't update the setup program. I have PM'd NeilN for assistance.

I think I can help you too. I can't find the panel in the ExEx at all. Can't you upload it to the ExEx ?