Party Sign version 1.6.0 – Join the party with flashy messages
Purpose
Have you ever wanted to relay a message to somebody but they were too far away or in a car? Want to send a sexy message in a noisy dance club? Or do you just want everybody to know how you feel right now?
Party Sign is the answer to these situations.
Display large scrolling text and emoticons on the screen to communicate with somebody too far away to hear you or in a noisy environment. Perfect for meeting new people at a dance club or letting your date know how you feel. Many other uses including “Thank You” messages, pranks and jokes.
Usage
Upon launch, you will get the main screen showing the list of available messages as shown below.
There are 2 ways to add new messages. To quickly add a message without having to specify any settings, use the “Quick Add” button on the lower left corner as shown below.
You will get a dialog box where you can type your message, then pres the “Save” button. Now the message will be displayed automatically. “Quick Add” is a good option when you are in a big hurry to show your message.
To be able to specify other settings, use the “Full Add” option by touching the “+Add…” line as shown below.
You will be presented with the “Add Message” screen. Enter your message at the top and change other settings if needed. More detail on the other settings are described later in the “Edit Message” section.
When finished, use the “Back” gesture to return to the main messages list.
Now, from the main menu, to see the large scrolling text , touch the message line. When done, use the “Back” gesture to return to the main menu.
To delete a message, simply swipe horizontally on the message. To change the order of the messages, touch and hold a message, then drag and drop the message to it’s new location.
To change the setting for the message, touch the “i” icon on the right side of the message line as shown below.
This will bring up the “Edit Message” screen. From here, you can edit the text, set the speed of scrolling, change the text and background color, and turn on the repeat feature. Turning on the repeat will cause the scrolling text to repeat over and over. You can also change the size of the text on this screen.
Emoticons can be added wither by typing them directly into the message text area, or by using the add emoticons button in the lower left corner.
This will bring up a list of the available emoticons and upon selection, will be inserted into your message at the current cursor position. To remove an emoticon that is already in the message, use the delete emoticons button in the lower right corner.
You can also use bold and underline attributes for your messages. To use, highlight one or more words by holding the Caps key and touching the word. Next, touch the “B” for bold or “U” for underline. To un-bold or remove underline, repeat the process.
When finished, use the “Back” gesture to return to the main menu.
The default message settings can be changed by going to the “Preference” screen via the
pull down Menu at the upper left corner of the screen. These settings will be used for NEW messages only. This does NOT change the settings for existing messages.
The “Keep Screen On” option will keep the scrolling text on and will prevent the WebOS device from going into “sleep” mode. This is useful if you want to see Party Sign scrolling text while your phone is being charged on your desk.
As of version 1.2.0, we’ve added a new feature that will allow you to display multiple messages. Messages can be combined by using the checkbox selection to the left of each message (in the main messages menu) as shown below.
Now when the “Show” icon is touched at the bottom right of the screen, all messages with checkmarks will be shown in the order from top to bottom. The “Show” icon is the right icon as shown below.
The checkmark icon (on the left) will select ALL messages, while the uncheck icon (middle) will un-select ALL messages.
The checkbox selection can also be used to change the settings of multiple messages by using the “Set To Default” option in the app menu. All the selected messages will be set to the settings that are set in the Preferences menu.
App Menu
The following are the selections available in the app menu (upper left corner from the main screen).
What’s New:
This selection will show you the changes that were made in the latest release of this app. Look here first after downloading a new version of the app.
Delete All:
Use this selection to clear out all the messages and start from scratch.
Set To Default:
Use the checkbox selection to change the settings of multiple messages by using the “Set To Default” option. All the selected messages will be set to the settings that are set in the Preferences menu.
Tools:
Under this heading are “Backup” and “Restore.” Use the Backup feature to save all your messages to your Google Docs account. If you do not have a Google Docs account, there is an option in the Preference to email your backup to yourself.
Preference:
Use this screen to change the default preference for your new messages. Note that this does NOT change the settings for your existing messages.
“Keep Screen On”
If you would like to keep the app turned on while charging, set this switch to “YES.”
“Use Google Docs”
If you do not have a free Google account, but still want to backup your messages, set the setting to “NO.” This will allow you to email your backup to yourself.
Help:
“How To Use”
Information on how to use this app.
“Discussion”
Use this selection to see comments and questions left by other users and the option to submit your own comments.
“Check For Updates”
Use this to see if there is a newer version of the app available in the Palm App Catalog.
Tips and Tricks
While the text is scrolling, you can flick your finger on the screen to speed up the scrolling or rewind it back, depending on which way you flick. You can also “drag” the text by moving your finger on the screen left and right and the message will follow your finger’s direction.
You can also flip the device 180 degrees and the message will automatically flip.
If you want to automatically display a message when you open the app, minimize and close the app while the message is scrolling on the screen. Now, when the app is re-opened, the message will automatically be displayed again.
If you would like to change your wallpaper to be the large text shown in Party Sign, press the following keys simultaneously: Orange + Sym + P
This will save the screen as an image which can be viewed with your “Photos” app. Then save as wallpaper by touching the icon on the lower left corner as you would any other picture. Note that the saved image is static and will not scroll.
There are special codes that you can use to display emoticons as follows:
| Type | To Get |
| : ) | Smiley face |
| : ( | Smiley frown |
| : p | Smiley tongue |
| : D | Big smiley |
| ; ) | Wink |
| :angel | Smiley angel |
| :basketball | Basketball |
| :baseball | Baseball |
| :clock | Clock |
| :cry | Crying smiley |
| :date | Current date |
| :down | Thumbs down |
| :drive | Steering wheel |
| :football | Football |
| :heart | Heart |
| :mad | Mad smiley |
| :miltime | Military time |
| :music | Musical note |
| :nodogs | No dogs |
| :nosmoking | No smoking |
| :peace | Peace sign |
| :rose | Red rose |
| :skull | Skull and crossbones |
| :soccer | Soccer |
| :star | Star |
| :stop | Stop Sign |
| :time | Current time |
| :up | Thumbs up |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I use this app for?
A: There are many uses for this app. For students, use it to send messages to your classmates while your teacher isn’t looking. At work, use it to send messages to your co-workers. At a dance club, send messages to that hot guy or girl. Send messages to people in other cars on the road to prevent road rage. Send a love note to your spouse from across the table.
Q: How do I send a message via SMS or email?
A: We are working on this feature but currently, there is no way to send a message that way.
Q: Sometimes the scrolling is not smooth. What can I do?
A: As of WebOS 1.4.1, and Party Sign 1.4.1, there should be a reduction of the stuttering during the scrolling. However, it is recommended that you close all other non-essential applications running on your Palm. If you find that it still runs slowly after closing all applications, reboot your Palm by pressing the keys ORANGE+SYM+R simultaneously.
Q: What’s different in the new version?
A: You can see the list by going to the app menu (upper left corner) and touch “What’s New.”
Q: Are there any other secret emoticons?
A: Yes. Try :beer.
Changelog
Version 1.6.0:
Color selection shows sample color and emoticons selection also shows sample emoticon.
App menu now features “Backup” and “restore” under “Tools.” This new feature will allow the user to backup the messages to (and restore from) their Google account. If the user does not have a Google account, there is an option to send the backup to themselves via email.
Edit messages now uses multi-line mode (larger text area) for editing longer messages.
Version 1.5.2:
Added bold and underline in Edit screen. To use, highlight one or more words by holding the Caps key and touching the word. Next, touch the “B” for bold or “U” for underline. To un-bold or remove underline, repeat the process.
After touch dragging, the scrolling will now stop and allow the user to position the text. To resume scrolling, flick the screen quickly.
New emoticon :angel added.
Version 1.5.1:
Use :miltime to get military time and :date for current date.
Bug fixes:
Submit discussion comment fixed and options to see older and newer comments.
The first letter of the message is no longer automatically capitalized.
Version 1.5.0:
Remove emoticon button added to edit screen to remove emoticons from message.
“Set To Default” option added to app menu to allow user to select messages to set to default settings from Preference screen.
New Emoticons added:
| Use | To Get |
| :clock | Clock |
| :drive | Steering wheel |
Bug fixes:
Message with only emoticons are now centered correctly vertically for all sizes.
Using app menu while editing message works properly.
Quick add with only spaces is now ignored.
Version 1.4.1:
Changes for WebOS 1.4.1 to reduce scrolling stutter.
Added option for large text.
New colors Deep Green, Deep Indigo, Garnet, and Mint added.
Bug fixes:
Problem with messages not saving properly the first time app is used has been fixed.
Version 1.3.0:
Quick Show: After “Quick Add”, the new message is automatically shown.
New color “Neon Green” added.
Added feature to remember last message on app closure. To use, minimize while message is scrolling, then close app. When app is re-opened, the message will automatically be displayed again.
New emoticons added:
| Use | To Get |
| :nodogs | No dogs |
| :nosmoking | No smoking |
| :peace | Peace sign |
Bug fixes:
Blank messages are not added.
Version 1.2.0:
Option to keep screen on in Preference. Use this to show messages while charging.
Checkmark messages to combine multiple messages together.
Quick add and full add messages now available.
New emoticons added:
| Use | To Get |
| :basketball | Basketball |
| :baseball | Baseball |
| :football | Football |
| :soccer | Soccer |
| :stop | Stop sign |
| :time | Current time |
Bugs fixed:
Using special characters and multiple spaces now work properly.
Add emoticon via submenu on blank text field fixed.
Version 1.1.0:
Messages can now be reordered by drag and drop.
New colors added:
Brown, gold, gray, orange, pink and purple.
Background colors selectable in Preference and “Message Edit”.
New emoticon selection submenu added to “Message Edit”.
New emoticons added:
| Use | To Get |
| ; ) | Wink |
| :cry | Crying smiley |
| :mad | Mad smiley |
| :music | Musical note |
| :rose | Red rose |
| :skull | Skull and crossbones |
Bugs fixed:
“Delete All” now works properly.
Repeating same emoticon in one message now works properly.
After reading all 400 comments (yes, I read each and every one), I've come up with a master list of what was requested. Instead of posting replies to each comment, I've decided to do one master reply here.
1) More attributes and special effects (bold, underline, color change one word, blink)
This is very possible to do for a near future version. I just have to figure out the best way to do the user interface.
2) More emoticons and selection grid with micro emoticons
I've already secretly added :evil but will soon add :angel and :ewww and some others that were suggested. I have to figure out how to show mini emoticons for a selection grid but it's possible to do.
3) Show color in selection or color grid (RGB/HSL)
I really like this idea. I have to work out the details but it will be in a future version.
4) Shake to go to next message
I'm not sure I'm sold on this idea because you can't see when you should shake the unit. If you have a compelling reason for this feature, let me know.
5) News Feed, Weather, and more
Interesting idea and can be done but I'm not sure how many people would actually use this feature so it's not going on the top of the to-do list.
6) Use pictures from Photos
This is possible to do but I'll have to test it to see how well this works.
7) Sample or default messages
I will be enabling this feature by allowing users to share messages with each other in a future version.
8 ) Sending messages via SMS and email.
By far, this is the most requested feature and I've been working on this for a few months. It's getting closer but it will not be in the next few versions. Please be patient.
9) Mirror message
I am not able to do this as of now. It is technically possible but not with the technique that I am currently using. I like this feature so it will always be on my to-do list.
Great app! I use it at the bar when it's crowded and I want a beer.
Version 1.5.1 is now available in the app catalog. Please download it to correct the discussion bug.
Could you make non-scrolling an option (with the current slow/medium/fast)? That's the feature that would make this app even more useful to me.
I'd use it to teach my dog how to read her commands (yes, it can be done – there's a book that tells you how to do it in words as well as in diagrams … the dogs actually can tell what the diagrams mean by doing the action without being given the corresponding command!). She's my service dog, so it would be useful if I need to tell her to do something when we're in a quiet place.
Non-scrolling has other uses, too, for short messages/single icons that will fit on the screen or when ppl have a hard time reading a scrolling message.
Touch the "i" icon next to the message to get the "Edit" screen. Then scroll down to "Repeat" and turn this option off. This will cause the message to only scroll to the end of the message, then stop scrolling. You can also touch the screen and drag it left/right by moving your finger over the screen.
Hope that helps your situation.
Amazing app, Very useful, But needs more size and speed options, plus you should be able to drag the message to the part you want on the screen and it should stay there instead of scrolling back to the left again, also maybe a reverse scrolling option, not sure why but some might find it useful!!!
More size and speed options? I don't think anybody would want smaller sizes and the large size is the maximum vertical size you can have for the screen.
As for moving the message around, I might decide to implement that so that if you move it, the scrolling stops, then swiping could make it start scrolling again.
Not sure if anybody would want the scrolling to reverse. If you can tell me a compelling reason for this feature, I will consider it.
A slightly smaller size or slower speed would allow people to read longer messages / words, like a telephone number or "Meet me at the…"
If you use the small font setting with the slowest scroll setting, I think you will find the font size to be about as small as it should be in order for somebody across the room to be able to read it and the scrolling speed to be almost too slow.
However, if you are using it for some other purpose that would allow the reader to be very close, please explain your usage and I will consider making the changes for you.
Cool if it can be text to someone
This should be able to send to people!!!!!!!
Like to have a way to export/backup/save all the messages I have configured. Maybe to an xml file that I could email. Then of course another option to load/import/restore the data from a file on my pre. Just had to restore my phone so all my app data got wiped. If there is a way to save data, just let me know. Great app!!!
This is a good idea. In fact, all apps should have this feature. I'll get on it right away.
I think has so many neat possibilities as is! It is so cool! Since it is free I think it's a bit presumptuous to even ask you to make changes. I for one will take whatever you deem we should have. Thank you so muchaj
Thanks for your kind words. However, I welcome comments, suggestions and even criticism because that's what's going to make any product better, which helps everyone. This is the reason I created this discussion section.
There is an update 1.5.2 but it fails to download?
There is a problem with Palm's App Catalog servers and downloads will not install properly. Palm is working on this problem and hopefully will be fixed in the near future. I will post something here they tell me it's fixed.
In the mean time, please do not post reviews complaining about not being able to install Party Sign since there is nothing that we can do from our end. Thanks for your understanding in this matter.
Are you interested in developing other apps from ideas from users (like me) ? I have an idea for an app, but don't know how to get it actualized. The "App Idea Box" won't download, so I'm just asking you. Please respond to my e-mail address (given above).
Thanx
You have a fantastic App and it is great fun… But it still "stutters" while scrolling. Is there a way to fix that? I have all current updates installed. Thanks for your time.
I've added the recommended code to reduce stutters and there's not much more I can do to fix this at this time. Usually, the stuttering is caused by background apps running (e.g. Facebook, email check). It can also happen when you are starting to run out of memory. Try re-booting by pressing the keys ORANGE+SYM+R simultaneously.
Can you let a person load a photo that can scroll instead of just words or emotions? This would be awesome!
Ur evrything 2 me
Great app, it is hard to find good webOS apps, I think you should allow people to send messages and set them as backrounds, Good Job!
Currently, there is no way to make an animated background. However, if you want a static one, you can press the keys ORANGE+SYM+P simultaneously and what you see on the screen will be saved to your photos app. From there, you can save the photo as your background.
Can i send it to a friend?
We are working on the feature.
What is this
This isss sooo much fun. Can you send to friends ? B soo cool.!!!
Not yet but we're working on it.
Hey
Can you include an option so someone can read the message in a rear view mirror?
It's technically possible but I am not able to implement this feature with the current app. I will keep this on my long term to-do list but it will not be in the near future.
My frends luv this but they always want me to send it to them. Is there a way I could do that?
We're working on it.
Ne real people
I love u
How do I work the party sign?
Touch the app menu (upper left corner), then "Help," then touch
"How To Use."
Great App! I use it to communicate with my deaf family & friends… (hope that gives you more ideas for future versions) Thank you.
Love this app can't wait for more updates
Is it possible to use this app as a wallpaper?
Currently, you cannot have animated wallpaper but you can have a static one. First, get the message you want to display, then press ORANGE+SYM+P simultaneously. Then go to your Photos app and display the image that was just saved, then set it as your wallpaper.
Love this app!!! Wish u could set as wall paper & smaller font size & slower speed
See the last post reply for to set your wallpaper. To set the size and speed, touch the "i" icon to edit the settings. For more info, go to the app menu, then "Help", then touch "How To Use."
How can I delete this ap?
If you mean how do you delete apps, you simply touch the app icon while holding down the ORANGE key. Then touch "Delete."
This phone is hella cool
Love this app, so fun!
I wish you can send a message to your freinds …
Still working on it.
Okay great app
I'm so confused! How do I use this app?
From the main messages list, touch the app menu (upper left corner), then touch "Help," then "How To Use."
I need help! Kan sum 1 tell me wat thiz app is 4?
From the main messages list, touch the app menu (upper left corner), then touch "Help," then "How To Use." Read under the heading "Purpose."
I love & use this app all the time. Could you get it to show my pics? I have an app called slipslide. It showes pics but no words. This showes words but no pics. I need the "love" child of the two. Tell about something great (ex: a car) & then show a pic.
That's in the works.
This phone is awesome but my friends have the android devices and can't find the app is it available on them & under what name??
Sorry but currently only available for Palm WebOS.
Much <3 ! Can there be a ":weekday" that would show the current day of the week? It woud go well with :time , & :date , & :miltime . Also, can there be a ":mildate" that would display "dd mmm yyyy" as in "05 Jun 2010" ? I'd like both of these. 🙂 Thanx!
Great ideas. They will be there in the next version (including <3 for :heart). By the way, there's :dateeuro (dd/mm/yy) and :dateyear (yyyy-mm-dd) already available for use right now.
You know, hats off, this just gets better & better. I was using it last night & some thins were excessive to do. This morning get back to what I am setting up & wow! So easy, so cool. Really deluxe. Love it.
I think when people ask you how to use your app. The question they are really asking is how do I send it? And that's not possible so please explain that bc ur help section does not specify that. Sweet app but how come only web os systems are supported? And will it be that way when you can send it to others and why if so?
I've added that in the FAQ section here on the website. Might include that somewhere in the app itself but if they read the "Purpose" section, they should understand they can't send the message.
Currently, only WebOS is supported because of our limited resources.
We are working on a way to send messages to any smart phone user.
You really can't text these to anyone?
No, but we're working on it.
How do you send to someone ?
You can't yet but we're working on it.
How are you doing? When is the new update coming out? I am looking forward to it. Much <3
I've got your update ready but working on more stuff.
How do I send my messages
Sorry but there's no way to send message to other people via email or SMS yet. I'm working on it.
I LOVE this app! It's so cool:)
I like dis app a lot. It jus makes dis fone even more off da chain. Keep up da gud work mayne.
I thought it was to send it to sombody..sucks.
Sorry. We're working on it.
What is this ? Like how do I talk to people
Sorry, we're working on that feature.
Why can I send this to someone ? Man please fix this I really want to send my message !!
We are working on it.