Ok, in the last couple of weeks I've learnt about HKR entries in the
registry, how to use Visual Studio .net, enough about C and C++, a
minor understanding of the .NET framework, Strong Naming and
Publi/Private keys and XML.

Why? To get this darn caller ID working of course.

What have I achieved? I found that MCECaller ID didn't work with the
pace. Unfortunately it did offer all I wanted in terms of usability.

YAC and MCEYAC did the job; ie. talked to the pace, caught the
caller id info, added a name and picture to the number if you had
previously added them. But no log file. Bit of a pain for the geeks
like me who want everything.

So I thought how hard can it be to use the MCECaller ID log file?
How very stupid can you be? Just because you can get a chicken
breast for dinner from Tesco doesn't mean you'll know how to rear,
kill, pluck and prepare one!!!

Anyway, just for me, both YAC and MCE Yac had SDK (software
developement kits) so I set to work. Firstly I changed the output
log file to arrive at the MCECallerID logfile instead of the YAC
one. Then I had to change the format and get rid of the yac's love
for lots of ************. The page within media centre that displays
the MCECallerID log info needs the data in TAB separated values so I
learnt how to do that in C and it worked.

Looking back I probably could have l;eft the MCEYAC alone and
concentrated on the YAC beacause both create their own log file.
It's just that the MCE YAC didn't need Visual Studio to compile it
and was smaller and easier for a complete novice like me to
understand.

Anyway, because I played with the YACMCE file I had to learn about
strong naming because it runs within Media Centre on the .NET
framework and doesn't work without the correct keys.

Next was getting any pop up for a withheld number. YAC and MCE YAC
ignored them so I went back to hyperterminal and called myself again
(my own number will appear as best friend on my business line at
this rate) A very unusual load of nonsense came up so I had to add a
HKR response in the registry along the lines of .

This sent the variables No Name and No Number to YAC so I changed
the variable of No Number to Withheld Number just because I could
and it looked better.

Then I hit the clear log button in MCECaller ID (It's actually a
page called my phonecalls in media centre which interfaces with the
MCECallerID log file) Sure, it cleared it but because I wasn't using
MCECaller ID to monitore the modem it didn't create a new, empty
logfile when the phone rang next time so I had to change the YAC
prog to look for the logfile, if not there, write a blank one - when
answering a call.

Messy, I'm sure you'll agree, but it works for me. Just need to make
YAC look for it's picture to display in the MCECaller ID file.
Unfortunately MCECaller ID used smaller pics and calls them by
caller's name for the log file display - YAC calls them by the phone
number (or is it vice versa) HO HUM.

So it is possible and I hope this helps some-one else who has become
as obsessed as me.

I can send you any of the modded files - the only bit I am stuck on
is how to do the strong naming on your system. Yo have to start
messing with command prompts and a program called sn.exe; I still
don't know how I got it to work but after lots of surfing it did!

Craig

Next to do: answer the call with the PC and talk with a wireless
headset!!