SilverScreen: A Launcher With Style
SilverScreen by PocketSensei is a specially designed launcher for the Palm  OS. Users of SilverScreen are able to make use of 'Theme packs' and 'Icon Packs' to give the launcher a sense of style.
Installation and Basics
SilverScreen installs just link any other Palm program. Included in the download files are several themes that can be used with SilverScreen. Once SilverScreen is loaded onto your Palm simply tapping the Silver icon will run the program. Once the SilverScreen is running it will take over the application button, and subsequent taps of the application icon will bring up the SilverScreen application. To quit SilverScreen and return to using the standard Palm launcher you must tap on the "Exit Silver" icon found on the SilverScreen desktop or chose "Exit SilverScreen" from the App menu.
Themes and Icons
SilverScreen allows customization of the launcher screens through the use of various theme and icon packs. The theme packs change the icons for the Main and System programs. Those are the default programs such as hotsync, prefs, datebook, addressbook, etc. Changing the theme is simple. Once the theme has been installed on you palm you can activate it within SilverScreen via the following taps menu -> options -> Theme or alternately you can use shortcut T.
While using the SilverScreen launcher you are able to change the icon for any third party application. The icons can come from any of the theme packs that you have installed on your Palm, or they can come from one of the many SilverScreen theme packs. Changing the icon in SilverScreen will not change the icon for the default launcher or any other launchers that you may switch to. To change the icon for a third party application you must open the "Application Information" dialog and tap on the icon displayed in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. A new dialog will open with the instructions for changing the icon. Note: I have been unsuccessful in locating a method to replace the default icon once it has been changed to a SilverScreen Icon.SilverScreen Toolbox
The SilverScreen toolbox is an array of four tools found at the bottom of the screen. The toolbox can be shown and hidden by clicking on the triangular button found in the lower right corner of the screen. Dragging an application will automatically activate the toolbox if it is hidden. Applications can be queried, categorized, beamed, or placed in the recycle bin by dragging the application to the appropriate icon in the toolbox area.
- Recycle Bin: One of the nice features about SilverScreen is that it features a recycle bin similar to that found in Mac or Windows desktop environments. The recycle bin stores files that you wish to delete. In order to permanently delete a file you must go into the recycle bin and tap the 'Empty Bin' button. If you wish to un-delete any files still stored in the recycle bin, select the application from the list and tap the 'Recover' button.
- Hot Spots: The toolbox also contains two special 'Hot Spots.' These spots can be configured to open special dialogs, bring up the Graffiti reference sheet, open an application, change the view, or a variety of other tasks. Each 'Hot Spot' can be configured via the SilverScreen preferences screen.
Advanced features
SilverScreen has a multitude of special menus and options that will allow each user to configure the launcher to their liking. - Stroke of Genius: The Stroke of Genius is a powerful shortcut to a variety of functions. Stroking the screen from the menu area downward will activate the 'Stroke of Genius.' The 'Stroke of genius' can be assigned in the SilverScreen preferences dialog.
- QuickSilver Menu: At the top right of the screen is a small icon that appears as an arrow within a circle. The QuickSilver Menu functions both as a history of recent items as well as list for favorites. The recent items are managed automatically. The "My Picks" are selected by dragging an application icon to the QuickSilver icon. "My Picks" can be deleted by dragging the application to the QuickSilver icon a second time. Alternatively the entire list can be cleared by clicking the "My Picks" heading which will activate a dialog. This dialog has a clear my picks function.
- Time Tab and Battery: Clicking on the time tab will successively toggle between: time, day of week, and date. Clicking on the battery will successively toggle between: picture view, battery percentage, battery voltage, memory percentage free, and memory K free.
Pros
SilverScreen is one of the most customizable launchers that I've used. If you use SilverScreen in conjunction with an application such as FontHack 123 you can alter the font as well as the look of the launcher for an even more complete customization.
Organizing my applications into categories was quick and easy and once that was complete using the SilverScreen was just as quick and easy as using the standard Palm launcher.
Cons
One problem that I have with SilverScreen is that it doesn't re-initialize itself as the launcher upon a soft reset. After a soft reset SilverScreen must be opened again to set it as the default launcher. This small flaw is not a bug, but it can become a pain, especially for someone who tests a lot of software and therefore has numerous fatal errors or other wise has to reset his Palm often.
Another problem I have is that SilverScreen doesn't allow the original icon for a third-party application to be restored once it has been changed. Again, this is not a major flaw, but there have been times when I've wanted to switch back to the original icon and couldn't.
The current version of SilverScreen does not support color. Although it will run on a color device (I tested it on both the Palm IIIc and the Visor Prism) SilverScreen will not show any color. The lack of color support will cause problems with certain third-party icons that will not display in grayscale. In these cases it is advisable to use an icon from one of the themes or icon packs. Note: The developer has announced that a color version is in the works and should be released soon.
Overall Comments
SilverScreen is one of the best launchers that I've used. If you are in need of color support you will need to look elsewhere or wait for the color release of this product. The $19.95 price tag is a little steep for a Palm software, but this is one instance where it may be justified. SilverScreen gets a 9 out of 10 which is a score that would immediately increase once the color support is introduced. Screenshots
SilverScreen: A Launcher With Style
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