4. Customisation

This section gives instructions on how you can customize your Communicator by changing ringtones, wallpaper, logos and more. You can either use graphics and sounds made by others or you can choose to make your own. This section provides instructions for both.

4.1 Ringtones

Ringtones are the sound the phone makes when someone is calling you. In the case of the 9210 this can also be applied to incoming SMS messages, email messages and faxes. The 9210 allows you to specify in Profiles (which can be edited via the Profiles dialog accessible in Telephone by Menu --> Settings --> Profiles) which ringtone to use for various actions. It also possible to assign a ringtone to an individual (see below).

The 9210 can use either Nokia Ringtones in the RNG format (generally they have file endings of .rng) or it can use WAV sound files. WAV sound files can make very attractive (and useful ringtones).

Ringtones should be stored in the C:\System\Tones\ folder, this is where the Communicator expects to find them.

4.1.1 Source of WAV and RNG files
WAV files suitable for the 9210 can be obtained at:
/allabouter6-late/communicator/downloads/ - All About ER6's Collections - more than 200 different WAV files.
http://fp.somewhere.f9.co.uk/n9210/index.html or www.n9210.co.uk - Excellent site for all 9210 related multimedia files including WAV files.
Many major sites also have good collections.

RNG file can be obtained from various places on the web and /allabouter6-late/communicator/downloads/ - All About ER6's Collections - more than 2,000 different RNG files.

4.1.2 Converting 9110 Ringtones to 9200 Ringtones
Ringtones can be converted from the 9110 format to the RNG format used by the 9200 by two methods. Firstly they can be beamed between the two using infra red. They will be automatically converted. Secondly you can use Harmut's program (download from: http://www.nc9210.de.vu/). This program allows you to convert to the RNG format. The program runs on the Windows Command line. This program can also be downloaded here.

4.1.3 Optimising WAV files for the 9200
It is recommended that you copy the WAV files through the multimedia converter before placing them on your 9200. This is because it will recompress the WAV file using the A-LAW codec making it a lot smaller.

The multimedia converter can be found on the CD that came with the 9200 or downloaded from the Nokia download area (http://forum.nokia.com/main/1,6668,5_2_4_1,00.html).

4.1.4 Ringtones for Individuals
It is possible to assign a specific ringtone to an individual. This can be useful to identify who is calling when you can not see the phone.

Go to Contacts, select a record (a contact) and then OPEN that record. Then via the menu assign a ring tone (Menu: Card --> Ringing Tone… <ctrl>R). In the telephone section you should look at profiles (Menu: Settings -->Profiles…): edit one and see if 'personal tones' is switched on. People regularly seem to have problems with this. It maybe that your contacts file needs to stay on the C drive, but I can not confirm this.

Example: You might record a WAV file saying 'x is calling' and have that as the ringtone.

4.2 Wallpaper

Wallpaper is the picture that is seen in the background of the Desk Group. This picture can be changed. This is done via the Settings Menu is Desk view. You can choose any image to be the background, but it is sensible to use one of the right size and using JPEG (.jpg) files is recommended because they take up less space.

There is currently no application to automatically change wallpapers, it is recommended you keep all wallpaper files in the same place (otherwise you can end up talking up a lot of space - to maximize memory space it is best to keep only one or two files on the device at any one time. Having a wallpaper does use memory, if you want to maximize memory available to application you should turn off wallpaper.
Wallpaper files are one elements of skin collections (see 4.4).

4.2.1 Source of Wallpaper files
Wallpaper files suitable for the 9210 can be obtained at:
/allabouter6-late/communicator/downloads/ - All About ER6's Collections - more than 100 different wallpapers.
http://members.tripod.co.uk/rwakelin/crystal/ - Richard Wakelin's Mobile Pictures website
http://fp.somewhere.f9.co.uk/n9210/index.html or www.n9210.co.uk - Excellent site for all 9210 related multimedia files including wallpaper.
http://www.organizer4you.ch/nokiawallpapers.htm - German site with some lovely wallpaper pictures.
http://www.9200wallpaper.com - another good collection site.
Many major sites also have good collections.

4.3. Colors

Colors is a program from Epocware (http://www.epocware.com), that allows you to make your own 'color schemes' in effect this means you can change the color of the Title, Toolbar, Background, Menu and other elements of the UI. Colors files are sometimes included in skins (see 4.4).

4.3.1 Source of Colors Files
Colors allows you to export your color schemes as files.
Colors exported files can be found at the following site:
http://fp.somewhere.f9.co.uk/n9210/index.html or www.n9210.co.uk - Excellent site for all 9210 related multimedia files including Colors files

4.4 Skins / CBA Textures

Skins are a combination of CBA Textures and wallpapers. This combined effect was first established by Loonyworld. A CBA Texture is a Command Button Area Texture. This is the area that hold the commands on the right hand side of the 92x0 screen. The background to this area is the texture and it can be customised. This texture can be changed through the control panel. Skins sometimes also include a file for Epocware's Colors which allows customisation of colour schemes (see 4.3).

4.4.1 Source of Skins / CBA Textures
Skins and or CBA textures files suitable for the 9210 can be obtained at:
/allabouter6-late/communicator/downloads/ - All About ER6's Collections - more than 44 different skins and textures.
http://loonyworld.homepage.dk/9210.html - Loonyworld - Premier skin creator of the 9210.
http://www.my-communicator.com - has two collections which can be bought to support the site.

4.4.2 Use of and installing Skins / CBA Textures
These instructions come from /allabouter6-late/communicator/downloads/wallpapers/loonytut.php, where they also include screenshots.

First place the necessary files on the device:

As a general rule a skin will contain the following files:

• a display.mbm file, this should replace the file in C:/System/Data/display.mbm. You should backup (copy somewhere else or rename the existing diaply.mbm file. You will need to put it back if you wish to use the default textures (the ones that come with the device). [e.g. rename it displayoriginal.mbm]
• four wallpaper files - these should be copied to your wallpaper file directory.
• Colors scheme file(s).

Second (having installed the files as described above) go to the control panel, by finding it in the Extra's Group (press the Extra buttons and select 'Control Panel' and then press return. Find and select Display in the Control Panel: In the Display settings we want to look at the second menu called colours... Select the appropriate Color Scheme and Background Pattern (this is the side bar texture).

You now need to reboot the device. This can be done by removing the battery or using a program such as Restart.

When you reboot you will be returned to the Desk View. From here you should select from the Menu Tools -> Settings: You should then find the appropriate wallpaper to match the sidebar texture that you chose: and that's it - now you have a beautiful Desktop.

4.5 Operator and Startup Logos

Operator Logos and Startup Logos are displayed on the phone isde of the Nokia 92x0.

The Startup Logo is displayed on the phone's startup. The shaking hands Nokia logo is the most common deafult startup logo. The Startup Logo is a 84�48 1 bit image file (84x84 pixels in only balck and white).

The Operator Logo is displayed on the phone screen during non active operation (i.e. when your not using the screen for anything else). A common default Operator Logo is the corporate logo of your service provider. Operator Logos are 72�14 pixels 1 bit image files.

Please note there is also a startup graphic on the PDA / Communicator side of the phone (a large colour version of the Nokia shaking hands), but as far as is known it is not possible to change this.

Operator and Startup Logos can be changed by software only. Software is available for the PC (Windows) which can be used to change logos (among other things), providing you have the right cable. Software is also available for the Nokia 92x0. The second opiton is cheaper and less complicated. However you may wish to consider the first in conjunction with Net Monitor activation (see 5.1).

4.5.1 PC Software
There are several programs which will do this job. The best of these is Logo Manager. Logo Manager is a general mobile phone acessing and amanaging piece of software. Not all of its functions work with the Nokia 92x0. It can be used for placing logos on the phone. Logo Manager has been authored by Mike Bradley and is available from http://www.logomanager.co.uk/.

Either a FBUS (see 5.2) or an MBUS (see 5.1) cable must be used to connect the PC and the 92x0 together (via each others COM ports). There are instructions with the software that give more details on sending the logos to the phone, importing logos and creaing your own.

Another piece of software that can be used is Smart SMS Agent. The program allows the sending of Smart SMS messages (which can include Operator Logos) via SMS centres using the modem of your desktop PC. More details are available here (English/German). You may also wish to try the freeware Nokia Logo Express.

4.5.1 Nokia 92x0 Software
There are two pieces of software available for the Nokia 92x0 relating to Operator and Startup Logos. Both are able to import, create and place the logos. Both also extend the messaging types of the 92x0.

The first piece of software is Celesta myStyle. This is a very polished piece of software. It is available from the Celesta Lifestyle website. Its basic features include: send and receive operator logos; send and receive picture messages; send and receive CLI icons; send and receive profiles; Send flash SMS; a built-in Logo Editor for creating and editing logos, icons, screen savers and pictures and support for several graphic file formats (GIF, JPG, BMP, OTA, WBMP, MBM, NOL, NGG, NLM).

The second piece of software is PsiNT's Extended Messaging. It is slightly less polished, but is better value. It has a similar function set, but includes the clever option to send a file via SMS. More information is available from the PsiNT website.

Both pieces of software have trial versions.

4.5.3 Sources of Logos
Operator Logos and Startup logos can be obtained from many sites. Some you may have to pay for (though its not really worth it since you can create your own). All About ER6 has a collection of ~1,400 logos:
/allabouter6-late/communicator/downloads/ - All About ER6's Collections.

4.6. Constructing your own Customisation elements

It is possible to construct your own customisation elements. This is easier for certain things than other, and while it is more work than downloading other people it can be very rewarding.

4.6.1 Making wallpapers
Wallpapers can be constructed from any existing graphic or you can create them from scratch. They should be roughly 462 x 200 pixels in size and in the JPEG format. Almost any image editor will allows you to save in the JPEG format and crop / resize / reduce an existing image as necessary.

4.6.2 Making CBA Textures
CBA Textures are probably one of the most tricky things to make. There are quite a few steps involved. However they are relatively simple. You just need patience. You should craefully read the following procedure. This is one method, there are others that you see documented elsewhere.

You need to obtain the program BMPCONV.exe; this program converts BMP files into MBM file. MBM format (multi bitmap file) is the Symbian graphics format, and is used by the Operating System for System graphics. BMPCONV.exe can be downloaded from Symbian's site and is also found of the Nokia 92x0 SDK's (looks in the Tools Directory). This program runs on a Windows PC. The SDK is available for free via Forum Nokia (by download or on CD).

You then need to create (or obtain from elsewhere) between 1 and 4 BMP files to use as your CBA Textures. They should be 130 x 200 pixels. However the horizontal width (130) is not constant when they are displayed on the 9210 (it changes depending on the text in the CBA), and you may wish to experiment with smaller and or larger widths. For example Loonyworld and SwitchBlade recommend 113 pixels.

The next step is running BMPCONV.exe to convert the BMP files into 1 MBM files. This can de done via the command like. An easier method is to first create a text file with the commands in it and use the text file as an argument when running BMPCONV.exe

You should place all the graphics and BMPCONV.exe into the same folder. You should then create a new text file in this folder (call in filelist.txt). The contents of this file should be as follows:

anyname.mbm
/c24yourpic.bmp
/c24yourpic2.bmp
/c24yourpic3.bmp
/c24yourpic4.bmp

The first part specifies the name of the MBM to be created. The following 4 lines specify the graphic file to be included in the MBM file. The first part of the last frour lines 'c24' is a variable describing resolution at which the file should be encoded (the second part is obviously the file name of the graphic you are including in the MBM). You can also use a value of c16 for the resolution (and c4, c8, c12). Use either c16 or c24 for best results. The number stands for bits per pixel.

You should then go to the DOS prompt (or equivalent) and go to the folder in which you have stored BMPCONV.exe, the graphics file and the text file. Once there enter the following:

bmconv filelist.txt

If you have done everything correctly the following will be displayed:

BMCONV version 103.
Compiling...
Multiple Bitmap store type: File store
Epoc file: anyname.mbm

Bitmap file 1 : yourpic1.BMP
Bitmap file 2 : yourpic2.BMP
Bitmap file 3 : yourpic3.BMP
Bitmap file 4 : yourpic4.BMP
success.

You have created the MBM file and you can now use it as specified in 4.4.1. Remember the file should be named display.mbm and placed in the C:/System/Data/ directory. It is important to note that display.mbm is replaced during a full reinstall and you might therefore want to keep a copy of your new version safe (as well as backing up the old).

As an additional tip you can also change the name of the Textures (as they appear in the Display applet in the control panel) by editing the display.rsc file. However do not use names longer than the existing ones the Display applet will crash and this editing is not recommended in terms of risk against gain.

You may also wish to check this thread out the All About ER6 forums.

4.6.3 Making Icons
Icons can be used to customise Shortcuts on the Desktop. This is especially useful if ou have many icons from the same program (e.g. Word) since it helps identify them more readily. You can use these instructions to make a replacement for extraicons.mbm (found in C:\System\apps\home). Once you have made the a new file you can replace the old one and access the new icons the same way as the old (File -> Properties) when a shortcut is selected. The process is similar to making CBA textures in that it it necessary for you to create a .mbm file to replace existing ones.

In order to understand the graphics you must create you must understand how icons are made up on the 92x0. There are two sizes on icon: 64x50 and 25x20. The two sizes will display in the 'Group View' e.g. in the Extras Group. The size shown depends on the Zoom setting. You will also see the smaller icon in the file dialogs. The second part of icons to understand is the mask. The mask is a replica of the icon except coloured in black. It is used so the area around icons can be made see through by the system (this is the same effect as transparent GIFs). The mask allows the OS to make one part of an icon see though (to the background) and the other not. There are two mask (one for each size of icon). In order to get good looking icons they are vital to production process. Thus to make one icon you need 4 files: 64x50, 64x50 mask, 25x20, 25x20 mask. Examples of an icons and masks are shown below:

Once you have produced the necessary BMP they must be combined into an MBM file. You need to obtain the program BMPCONV.exe; this program converts BMP files into MBM file. MBM format (multi bitmap file) is the Symbian graphics format, and is used by the Operating System for System graphics. BMPCONV.exe can be downloaded from Symbian's site and is also found of the Nokia 92x0 SDK's (looks in the Tools Directory). This program runs on a Windows PC. The SDK is available for free via Forum Nokia (by download or on CD).

The next step is running BMPCONV.exe to convert the BMP files into 1 MBM files. This can de done via the command like. An easier method is to first create a text file with the commands in it and use the text file as an argument when running BMPCONV.exe

You should place all the graphics and BMPCONV.exe into the same folder. You should then create a new text file in this folder (call in filelist.txt). The contents of this file should be as follows:

extraicons.mbm
/c16icon1_large.bmp
/c16icon1_large_mask.bmp
/c16icon1_small.bmp
/c16icon1_small_mask.bmp
... and so on with other icons

The first part specifies the name of the MBM to be created. The following 4 lines specify the graphic file to be included in the MBM file. The first part of the last frour lines 'c24' is a variable describing resolution at which the file should be encoded (the second part is obviously the file name of the graphic you are including in the MBM). You can also use a value of c16 for the resolution (and c4, c8, c12). Use either c16 or c24 for best results. The number stands for bits per pixel.

You should then go to the DOS prompt (or equivalent) and go to the folder in which you have stored BMPCONV.exe, the graphics file and the text file. Once there enter the following:

bmconv filelist.txt

If you have done everything correctly the following will be displayed:

BMCONV version 103.
Compiling...
Multiple Bitmap store type: File store
Epoc file: extraicons.mbm

Bitmap file 1 : icon1_large.BMP
Bitmap file 2 : icon1_large_mask.BMP
Bitmap file 3 : icon1_small.BMP
Bitmap file 4 : icon1_small_mask.BMP
success.

You have created the MBM file. It then needs to be put in place and is ready for use. It is important to note that extraicons.mbm is replaced during a full reinstall and you might therefore want to keep a copy of your new version safe.

Once you have used your new file (i.e. you have changed a shortcuts icon) it is possible to change the file again without effecting any shorcuts you may have changed.

You can extract the existing icons from extraicons.mbm (or any other graphics from any other mbm file) by following the instructions in section 4.7.

4.6.4 Making and editing Ringtones
There is PC Software for doing this, especially in the case of WAV files. This is not covered here, any search engine should be able to find material on this (e.g. http://www.slonet.org/~rloomis/makewavs.html) .

On the Communicator itself there is once excellent solution: RingMaster from Zenobyte (http://www.zenobyte.com). This software allows you to edit .rng file by using music notation or using RTX. In addition it also allows the editing of samples (WAV) files. You can also import MIDI files.

The program also supports plug ins for editing, only one is currently available which allows you to alter samples using mathematical notation. All round an excellent piece of software. RingMaster is Commercial software but a demo is available.

You can also use the Record program on the Communicator to record your own custom WAV files, this is particularly useful for voice WAV's (e.g. recording names).

Of course the easiest way to get 'new' ringtones is to use existing wav sound files.

4.7 Extracting graphics from MBM files

It is sometimes useful to be able to extract graphics from mbm files (perhaps you want to change an icon). This is done with the BMPCONV.exe tool. This method can also be used to convert screenshots taken on the Nokia 92x0.

BMPCONV.exe can be downloaded from Symbian's site and is also found of the Nokia 92x0 SDK's (looks in the Tools Directory). This program runs on a Windows PC. The SDK is available for free via Forum Nokia (by download or on CD).

The next step is running BMPCONV.exe to convert the MBM file into multiple BMP files (one MBM file can contain many frame each of which can be extracted as an individual graphic). This can de done via the command like. An easier method is to first create a text file with the commands in it and use the text file as an argument when running BMPCONV.exe

Place BMPCONV.exe into the a folder. You should then create a new text file in this folder (call in filelist.txt). The contents of this file should be as follows:

/U graphics.mbm
image1.bmp
image2.bmp
image3.bmp
image4.bmp

These commands tell BMPCONV.exe to extract graphics from graphics.mbm and name them image1.bmp, image2.bmp etc. etc. If there are more frames in the mbm file than names you have specified in filelist.txt there will be an error (and the same if there are too many names). However any graphics extracted upto that point are OK. It is therefore a good idea to have a long list of names to ensure you get all the graphics out of the MBM file.

You should then go to the DOS prompt (or equivalent) and go to the folder in which you have stored BMPCONV.exe, the graphics file and the text file. Once there enter the following:

bmconv filelist.txt

It is possible to get information about the MBM file. Entering the following at the command prompt (or putting it in filelist.txt) will give you information about the MBM file.

bmconv/v extraicons.mbm

This will give the following information:

extraicons.mbm is A file net curtain containing 60 bit-maps

Bit-map 1 information:
Pixel size 64 x 50
Twips size 61 x 48
12 Bpp Colour
12 bits RLE compression 19%
..and so on for each bitmap in the file

Thus in the above example (for extraicons.mbm) there are 60 frames or graphics within the file (i.e. 15 different icons).

You can use this technique for any MBM file.

4.8 Adding fonts to your Nokia 92x0
Its is possible to add new fronts to your Nokia 92x0. You should use TrueType Font (.tff). You should place new fonts in the D:\System\Fonts directory (you may need to create this). The fonts are then available for use in Word and Sheet. It is advisable not to use too many or large fonts in a file as it will slow down loading of the file. Fonts are also large and take a up a lot of room so you may not wish to use too many new fonts for the sake of memory space.

You can obtain ttf fonts from your font folder on your PC (C:\Windows\Fonts on Windows PC's)and from many website around the internet. Type ttf fonts into any serach engine (e.g. Google).