Some Plugins Converted to Measures
Posted: February 5th, 2018, 4:14 pm
One of the changes that has taken place as of the 4.0 release version of Rainmeter is that we are making an effort to convert all built-in "plugins" to be internal "measures", not requiring a separate .dll file. There are some internal benefits to the code in efficiency and maintainability, but no difference in how they work in skins.
The plugins that have been converted to measures to date are:
MediaKey
NowPlaying
RecyleManager
WebParser
Since the old syntax works just as well as the new in skins, and there are so many thousands of existing skins using the old syntax, we have not been eager to make a big deal out of it. However, this has come up in discussions here in the forums of late, and we feel the consensus is to go ahead and document the change and start gently encouraging folks to use the new syntax in new skins.
Starting with WebParser, the change is:
Old syntax:
You might also have seen Plugin=WebParser.dll or Plugin=Plugins\WebParser.dll. All of them work exactly the same, both then and now.
New syntax:
Do try to remember to use the new Measure=WebParser syntax going forward, as over time we can reduce confusion caused by older skins. Having said that, there is just no need to get on a jihad about correcting existing skins. The old syntax still will, and always will, work just fine.
I have made the appropriate changes to the documentation:
https://docs.rainmeter.net/manual/measures/webparser/
And have created re-directs that will allow existing links posted here in the forums or other places to still go to the right place.
https://docs.rainmeter.net/manual/plugins/webparser/#NotAPlugin
There is still a little work to do changing the syntax in some Tips & Tricks and other examples, I will be working on that in the coming days.
Other plugins >> measures, starting with MediaKey, NowPlaying, and RecyleManager have also been converted, and changes to the documentation for those will be coming soon. We will then be changing all the "built-in" plugins to measures over time, and we will try to keep up with them as they are changed. There is no timeline for that, it's something that is a low priority and will happen as there is free time.
The plugins that have been converted to measures to date are:
MediaKey
NowPlaying
RecyleManager
WebParser
Since the old syntax works just as well as the new in skins, and there are so many thousands of existing skins using the old syntax, we have not been eager to make a big deal out of it. However, this has come up in discussions here in the forums of late, and we feel the consensus is to go ahead and document the change and start gently encouraging folks to use the new syntax in new skins.
Starting with WebParser, the change is:
Old syntax:
Code: Select all
[MyMeasure]
Measure=Plugin
Plugin=WebParser
New syntax:
Code: Select all
[MyMeasure]
Measure=WebParser
I have made the appropriate changes to the documentation:
https://docs.rainmeter.net/manual/measures/webparser/
And have created re-directs that will allow existing links posted here in the forums or other places to still go to the right place.
https://docs.rainmeter.net/manual/plugins/webparser/#NotAPlugin
There is still a little work to do changing the syntax in some Tips & Tricks and other examples, I will be working on that in the coming days.
Other plugins >> measures, starting with MediaKey, NowPlaying, and RecyleManager have also been converted, and changes to the documentation for those will be coming soon. We will then be changing all the "built-in" plugins to measures over time, and we will try to keep up with them as they are changed. There is no timeline for that, it's something that is a low priority and will happen as there is free time.