COMPLETE BUILD DATABASE GOOGLE DOC
Several months ago, SimonNWalker assembled a ROM database (http://www.simonwalkerphotos.com/android/android_build_information.asp) full of details of just about every build cooked up. The problem is, users can't edit it, and thus, one person is stuck tracking every single ROM -- many of which are updated daily.
So, I've decided to put together a spreadsheet -- fittingly, a Google Doc -- that can be edited like a wiki. The obvious advantage to this Doc is that it's so easily editable -- just click the link, fill in a cell, and the spreadsheet will automatically save. This can be used by developers (so they won't have to constantly answer "Does this build have the HTC Dialer?", "Does Bluetooth work?", etc.), and by those looking to help out the Android community.
If developers start putting this link in their threads, those who use their builds will probably update the Doc themselves. Essentially, this can turn out to be the best way to keep track of the dozens of ROMs scattered about the community. I understand that it has its limitations -- the inability to sort by data field, for example -- but it seems to be the best and easiest way to keep things organized.
I don't have time to fill in the entire spreadsheet, but I got it started with a sample. If you guys want to get to work filling in the rest, we can have a complete, comprehensive database within days/hours!
PLEASE, only include information that is accurate and truthful. And if you see a cell with incorrect information (perhaps something that was absent in one build, and added in recent updates), feel free to fix it!
Here's the link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tAs2qa3xlveMKSI2BLcUI7g
Read-only, printer-friendly, old-browser-friendly page: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tAs2qa3xlveMKSI2BLcUI7g&output=html
How to add a new ROM:
Find the type of build (Hero, Ion, etc.) that the ROM belongs to. Right-click on the letter of the last column within that build family. For example, If I wanted to add a Hero ROM (and let's say that the last Hero ROM was in the E column), I would right-click "E" (top of page), and click "Insert 1 left". This will get you a new column to work with.
How to add a new Base OS/build (Hero, Ion, etc.)
Follow the steps above ("How to add a New ROM"), and make two or three columns.
You should now have a current build with some actual columns, and two or three blank ones. Click the Base OS cell (it should be highlighted in a background color already; Hero, for example, is green), and unmerge the cells by clicking the "Break Apart" button (third from the right; left of the formula and wrap text buttons). This will give you individual cells.
At this point, highlight the three/four/however many cells of the original build (let's say, Hero), and click that same button to merge just those. Then, highlight the two or three new cells, and merge those separately. Give it a new color, and you should be done.
It's definitely more confusing to explain than to just do; you should be able to figure it out once you get to the spreadsheet. If anyone wants to expand on/rewrite this tutorial, please do so, and I'll paste it up here.
INSERTING COMMENTS:
I've inserted a sample comment in cell B4 (T-Mobile US OTA/Developer) as a sample. It's represented as a small colored square in the top-right corner of that cell. If you hover over it, a comment window will appear.
Comments can be useful for disputed information, questions/concerns, etc. For example, if you believe a cell to have incorrect information -- but aren't certain enough to change it yourself -- just add a comment asking someone to verify. If you see a resolved comment/issue, please delete it by deleting all of the text within the comment popup window.
(Space saved in case needed later)
PS: Like a wiki, revision history is available (File > Revision History). So, if someone feels the need to vandalize the spreadsheet, it can probably be recovered by reverting to an older version. And of course, it couldn't hurt to backup the Doc on your computer every once in a while!
cyrowski assembled it? Didn't SimonNWalker do it? Great idea however. Im beginning to edit!
Good call. wiki = good.
alritewhadeva said:
cyrowski assembled it? Didn't SimonNWalker do it? Great idea however. Im beginning to edit!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, you're right. I scrolled down on his page, saw cryowski, and just went with that. Fixed it now; thanks!
jay652 said:
Oh, you're right. I scrolled down on his page, saw cryowski, and just went with that. Fixed it now; thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem! Just finished filled in JAC and most of cyrowski's hero build. You mind adding cupcake builds? Don't want to mess up the layout you built
alritewhadeva said:
no problem! Just finished filled in JAC and most of cyrowski's hero build. You mind adding cupcake builds? Don't want to mess up the layout you built
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, I added an ADP section to get you started. I also put two little tutorial blurbs at this top of this thread; explaining how to add a new ROM and a new base OS (which you were requesting). That way, if you want to add one on your own, you'll know how. Let me know if you need me to clarify anything; it was a little difficult to explain, but not that difficult to actually execute.
alritewhadeva said:
Im beginning to edit!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lord help us
Shouldn't 1.5 be first (left side)cause the G1 is based off of that?? the others are ported
Mikey1022 said:
Shouldn't 1.5 be first (left side)cause the G1 is based off of that?? the others are ported
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree! 1.5 should be first.
What a great idea. I've deleted two idiotic cells already!
badass!!
f
sd
wddglr said:
I agree! 1.5 should be first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've rearranged it so that ADP comes before Hero. I suppose I should move Ion too, but maybe I'll leave that for someone else.
The beauty of the spreadsheet is that if you think something should be changed, you can change it!
Of course, that could be a bad thing, too...
jay652 said:
I've rearranged it so that ADP comes before Hero. I suppose I should move Ion too, but maybe I'll leave that for someone else.
The beauty of the spreadsheet is that if you think something should be changed, you can change it!
Of course, that could be a bad thing, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about MyTouchski?
ccyrowski said:
what about MyTouchski?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, like I said, go ahead and add it. Developers editing their own ROM entries will likely be the most reliable.
love it..great idea.
added to informative thread list
added t-mobile cupcake
Great idea!
Great Idea!!
I always found it difficult to find the info I wanted on builds. I am just too lazy to do anything about it! Kudos to you sir. This forum is really going places...too bad we are all still sitting behind our laptop screens! I will hop on there and check it out shortly...see if i can put my two cents in anywhere. I have probably tried everyones build so maybe I can help. Keep up the great work DEVs!
Would any mods be in favor of stickying this? It doesn't really require much discussion, so it's likely to slip down the pages, but it really should be visible for everyone to see. Adding it to the informative thread list is defintiely a good start, but keeping it in plain sight on the main page might stop (at least some) people from asking if ROM X has app Y or feature Z every other post.
Any thoughts?
Related
I'm currently working on a Bugtracker for the xda-developers (my own project - wasn't asked by anybody)
The idea behind it is to allow:
The Developers to see what bugs are outstanding
The user to submit their problems
The curious to see which ROM has less bugs
The n00bs to do research before asking questions (and have more places to spam)
I'm not planning to replace the forums, I just want to make an extra tool that can be used along side the forums - but is neater for bug reporting
Feel free to post your thoughts on if you like it (and so what should be included) or if you don't like it (and so what should replace it, if anything)
Thanks!
Hey, that's very nice.
But.. Are we talking about a new website? or just a new thread?
DaVince said:
Hey, that's very nice.
But.. Are we talking about a new website? or just a new thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Entirely new website.
It will be hosted on my http://www.vidmes.com webserver
i voted approving the bugtracker but i like the idea of all the information about universal development being centralized in one only location.
so, i think it would be interesting to keep it in this forum.
It's ok, we'll just have a sticky thread that has a link to TehPenguin's site.
I vote you go for it TehPenguin.
DaVince said:
It's ok, we'll just have a sticky thread that has a link to TehPenguin's site.
I vote you go for it TehPenguin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I've done some tentative work on it - and its looking good (if a little bare - I'm a software developer, not a web designer )
I'm a little busy this week, so its going to be about 2 weeks before I announce the link for the Beta
In the mean time, I'd like suggestions as to what people want in it
(Also, I notice one negative vote - I'd like to see their argument....)
Thanks!
Great Idea
I think mandatory information should be
1) Device Vendor...ie Imate, XDA etc
2) Radio stack in use
3) OS Rom in use
4) Third party software installed ( I know this list can be big, I myself have well over 100 apps as std) but is important for diagnosing bugs. Perhaps we could get an AppMgr listing from each system, not too hard to obtain.
You could also go overboard a little and have a PDA page, browseable from our Uni's so nothing graphics intensive or fancy. A simple login dialogue ( Can we port XDA-Dev user accounts?) once the user has logged in, they fill in a basic form with the bug description, click on submit and we could pull the information in points 1 to 4 above off of the device with a script.
Just my 50pence worth.
Great idea m8, hope it gets somewhere.............let me know if I can help with anything.
Cheers,
Beast
yes! would be really helpful for cooks
beast0898 said:
I think mandatory information should be
1) Device Vendor...ie Imate, XDA etc
2) Radio stack in use
3) OS Rom in use
4) Third party software installed ( I know this list can be big, I myself have well over 100 apps as std) but is important for diagnosing bugs. Perhaps we could get an AppMgr listing from each system, not too hard to obtain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I was planning to do with this is to have them describe a "Bug" in very generic terms as the Bug's description. Then they are required to add a comment (which other people may add) - this comment would have a "template" which would have things such as vendor, radio (I didn't actually think of this one), etc...
beast0898 said:
You could also go overboard a little and have a PDA page, browseable from our Uni's so nothing graphics intensive or fancy. A simple login dialogue ( Can we port XDA-Dev user accounts?) once the user has logged in, they fill in a basic form with the bug description, click on submit and we could pull the information in points 1 to 4 above off of the device with a script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some good ideas but....
I can't actually get info from the xda-developer's forums database - this may be a security risk on their behalf and would require far to much messing around to organise (as much as I would like to do it)
You will be able to view the page on your PDA's - its _very_ basic and I'll try to keep it xHTML complaint and do fanciness with CSS (though at the moment it does use some table hax)
Pulling info out of the PDA is virtually impossible (unless I build an app for the PDA's.... maybe later ) since the pda only tells me what browser version it is using
Either way - these are the things I like to see - Ideas!!!!
Keep them coming!
DaVince said:
It's ok, we'll just have a sticky thread that has a link to TehPenguin's site.
I vote you go for it TehPenguin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree with DaVince, having a bug tracking website would be cool and having a link directly to the site via xda-developers is a good idea. Keeping everything centralised and available for use by everyone who uses xda-developers.
You have my vote! Would be a great tool...
gsmknight
TehPenguin said:
What I was planning to do with this is to have them describe a "Bug" in very generic terms as the Bug's description. Then they are required to add a comment (which other people may add) - this comment would have a "template" which would have things such as vendor, radio (I didn't actually think of this one), etc...
Some good ideas but....
I can't actually get info from the xda-developer's forums database - this may be a security risk on their behalf and would require far to much messing around to organise (as much as I would like to do it)
You will be able to view the page on your PDA's - its _very_ basic and I'll try to keep it xHTML complaint and do fanciness with CSS (though at the moment it does use some table hax)
Pulling info out of the PDA is virtually impossible (unless I build an app for the PDA's.... maybe later ) since the pda only tells me what browser version it is using
Either way - these are the things I like to see - Ideas!!!!
Keep them coming!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi TehPenguin,
Surely we can run a JScript or Vbs through the PPC Browser to get the required data from the Reg, only a couple of RegReads!
Just another thought............... I prefer accurate information, the reg is less likely to make mistakes than a user!! (No offence intended to anyone)
L8r,
Beast
Bugtracker
Hi,
Would be great to have this.
Looking forward
Leo
Why not use one of the many bugtrackers already out there? I prefer Flyspray (http://www.flyspray.org/) since it's as mighty as Mantis, but more Web 2.0 ... and you should be able to browse it on your PPC, although I don't think anybody really wants this ...
Cheers,
-mARKUS
P.S.: As for getting registry stuff through the PPC ... I doubt you can read out the registry by a JavaScript running on the page itself. Also there are many geeks out there who use Resco so they could easily export a .reg-file and attach it to the report.
mbirth said:
Why not use one of the many bugtrackers already out there? I prefer Flyspray (http://www.flyspray.org/) since it's as mighty as Mantis, but more Web 2.0 ... and you should be able to browse it on your PPC, although I don't think anybody really wants this ...
Cheers,
-mARKUS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had a look at at a number of bug reporting systems - the problem with them is that I'd have to end up customising it quite a bit anyway. For instance, they are typically designed for one program, possibly with options to support different parts\plug-ins for these programs. My design involves having multiple "Devices" each with multiple "ROMs", which may be deprecated, and each of these ROMs have multiple bugs - thats a couple more levels of complexity than the average bug tracker can handle.
Although they are more "Web 2.0" the Javasript\other fanciness would make it difficult to view on a PDA. Personally I prefer the old style Web 1.0 and a PHP back end
The other advantage of me making it is that you guys can have, almost, anything you want - and it should be done as soon as I have time, seeing as I know the code intimately.
And the point I really like - I love coding
mbirth said:
P.S.: As for getting registry stuff through the PPC ... I doubt you can read out the registry by a JavaScript running on the page itself. Also there are many geeks out there who use Resco so they could easily export a .reg-file and attach it to the report.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exporting a reg file is the only possibility. Due to "security" problems, no script can actually see the registry of the device (or your PC for that matter), except what is in the "User Agent" key.
I'll put it on the "TODO" list to make a .NET program that automatically dumps your settings and creates a bug report
Given time, this can become quite beautiful. And time is now something that I will have - since I'm on holidays for the next few weeks!! (Yay for no more exams!!)
The alpha version is almost finished
I'll put a link up onto WM-Gurus for the final testing stage of the Alpha and see how it goes
Once the Alpha is complete (ie not too buggy) I'll put the link for the Beta here
Enjoy!
this is really a great idea.
i hope all goes well...
thanks to all!
Okay,
ALPHA VERSION IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!!
You can see it by going to: http://xdabugs.vidmes.com
Feel free to register or use the following users:
Username "test" password "testing" (Access level - registered user)
Username "dev" password "dev" (Access level - developer)
Username "admin" password "password" (Access level - administrator)
PLEASE NOTE: At the end of the Alpha stage, ALL DATA WILL BE CLEARED FROM THE DATABASE!
What I need people to do:
Look for bugs
Write the Help\FAQ sections
Ask me questions so I can write the Help\FAQ sections
See what else is needed
Enjoy!!
I've started a new site, http://www.otainstall.com, that is designed to let you quickly install apps from PocketIE on your phone. I originally posted it over at ppcgeeks and the users there seem to be pretty happy with it.
It's password protected for now, just to keep the volume limited a bit. You can log in with the password 'blahblah'.
It's pretty new, so please let me know any bugs that you find. Also note that you should be able to upload apps to the site so that others can download them.
I'll be taking suggestions on category name improvements, etc..
Let me know what you think!
Nice idea! One thing that might be useful is a "Back" button embedded in the page: Make it better for full screen browsing.
Double Awesome
Thanks a lot. What exactly can I upload?
kingdmc said:
Thanks a lot. What exactly can I upload?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are categories on the site, but generally anything is allowed as long as it's not copyrighted material. Ideally it should be a cab file or an executable that can be easily installed over the air.
Great idea for one stop shopping. Just an observation, how will you control duplicate entries or different release versions of same app? I can see it getting very ugly and unfriendly to the end-user very quickly. Just looking at programs and applications I already see two versions of spacer there and varying naming conventions and use of description. Haven't tried search yet, but maybe that helps sort that out...if you know exactly what you want (and the right keywords are called and published either in description or app file name).
tmknight said:
Great idea for one stop shopping. Just an observation, how will you control duplicate entries or different release versions of same app? I can see it getting very ugly and unfriendly to the end-user very quickly. Just looking at programs and applications I already see two versions of spacer there and varying naming conventions and use of description. Haven't tried search yet, but maybe that helps sort that out...if you know exactly what you want (and the right keywords are called and published either in description or app file name).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is definitely revision 1 of the site, so I'm taking all these suggestions and will be rewriting based off them. It's quite a bit more popular than I initially expected, so I'm pretty happy that everyone is enjoying it.
I was thinking of something like this, but more on an application repository type. Take the idea from linux / Ubuntu's application repositorys, where it can download, install, and keep up to date at all times as things are added and fixed.
If you could get this to work together with something like MoDaCo AppToDate it would be an awesome pair of apps...
looks promising, good luck with the site!
Sounds daft & I'm sure the infos here. I just want to change the theme on my GSM HTC Touch Pro. I know all the software & links are here on this site. It's just there's no 'this software is what you need & this is how you change your theme' info.
Thanks
LOL, ok, google free wm themes, download it and transfer the tsk file to your device. Then simply goto settings/today and select the theme you downloaded... no extra software needed.
try this site, it has THOUSANDS
http://www.portablethemes.com/
Just realised tho, you might be wanting to change you manila theme.... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=470023 there are some themes on here
Thanks for the reply, what exactly in Manila & how do I use it. I've already seen lots of reference to it but don't actually know what it is.
I've uplodaed a few tsk & cab files & selected them in my today them menu but all I get are slight changes like different icon, I've manged to add a different wallpaper, but as soon as the touchflo starts, it's lost.
Getting there
Ta
halo1234 said:
Sounds daft & I'm sure the infos here. I just want to change the theme on my GSM HTC Touch Pro. I know all the software & links are here on this site. It's just there's no 'this software is what you need & this is how you change your theme' info.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh my goodness guys, the test is coming up and I don't know any of the answers. I know all the information to pass the test is in the books. But that would require me to actually read and study.
You guys have already read the books and studied. Can you just give me all the answers to the test, I really can't be bothered to actually read and study myself.
I'm sure the infos here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right all the info is in the Touch Pro Forum.
I understand your point. However this is not an interest or hobby of mine. I'm just a guy who doesn't like how my screen phone looks. Once this is done I may never look at this again. In the 24 hours I have each day I have other things I have to do first & then all the hobbies & interests I have.
I had a look through the first 3-4 pages of this forum & then I tried a few searches. Found a few things, but not enough to fingure it all out.
I've ran out of time for this now really. I might try again when I get some spare time.
Thanks for your help.
search for Replacing/Changing TouchFLO3D skins/themes.
here's some basic help for you, halo (and some commentary)
denco7 said:
Oh my goodness guys, the test is coming up and I don't know any of the answers. I know all the information to pass the test is in the books. But that would require me to actually read and study.
You guys have already read the books and studied. Can you just give me all the answers to the test, I really can't be bothered to actually read and study myself.
You are right all the info is in the Touch Pro Forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is so right-on... and yet ... at the same time I respect the Original Poster's comment framing:
I understand your point. However this is not an interest or hobby of mine. I'm just a guy who doesn't like how my screen phone looks. Once this is done I may never look at this again. In the 24 hours I have each day I have other things I have to do first & then all the hobbies & interests I have.
I had a look through the first 3-4 pages of this forum & then I tried a few searches. Found a few things, but not enough to fingure it all out.
I've ran out of time for this now really. I might try again when I get some spare time.
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And because i think it's valid to have people want to utilize great resources here at XDA, yet not have to immerse themselves totally into weeks of XDA Culture in order to do so, I hope this helps the Original Poster. (see Commentary further below my effort to help halo1234)
=================
halo1234: Some Overview Help. It may or may not help your specific request:
1. IF you are running a version of the "TouchFlo" interface as the primary finger-controllable navigation tool,
then here's what you need to know:
2. "Manila" is the name of the interface system that HTC (phone maker) introduced which allowed the bottom-of-the-screen left-to-right finger-slider navigation system. That term, Manila, is synonymous with "TouchFLO 2D" ... and it took days for me to finally "get" that linkage. Later, HTC introduced what they considered a "new & improved" navigation system called "TouchFLO 3D" ... but many people here at XDA consider that its added eye-candy and transition effects were no real added-value. Thus most people here prefer the "TouchFLO 2D" navigation theme.
The prior "favorite naivgation scheme" was called "HTC Home" -- and one can debate their personal preference. I consider TouchFLO 2D to be miles beyond "HTC Home" in terms of a user-friendly navigation system and interface.
3. How to modify a "TouchFLO 2D" interface: M2DC utility
This has actually been made super easy thanks to the work of an XDA-developer who created a customization tool called "M2DC" -- which stands for Manilla TouchFLO 2D Customizer. It consolidates about 100 controllable factors for modifying themes:
Background images, tab systems and icon systems, font colors and sizes and faces, many other things.
SEARCH here for "M2DC" and you will quickly find it. DOwnload it and install it. Once you have M2DC installed (AND YOU SHOULD DONATE GENEROUSLY TO THE SOFTWARE AUTHOR OF THIS GREAT UTILITY!), then it creates a THEME folder. And various designers of themes here at XDA have used the author's file-format which packs all the elements for a particular theme change into an .m2dt file (m2d theme)
4. Find some themes you like, prefer:
XDA user KidnamedAlbert has a consolidated thread here at XDA which does nothing except show people's themes they have created and have made available to you to download for installation onot your phone, IF you are running one of the "TouchFLO 2D" Roms. Here. People who design themes package them in one of two ways: (a) as an .m2dt file which can be dropped into the M2D2 "Themes" folder on your device... or (b) as a .zip file which has all the graphic pieces for that theme, along with an .xml file which composes all these elements into a theme. I suggest you use (a).
5. Launch the M2DC utility; find the theme file you just inserted into its theme folder. Then follow the wizards "next steps" of the M2DC utility. NOTE: it is highly recommended that you find the bottom tab of that utlitity called "Backup" or "Restore" (i cant recall which). There you can Backup all the custom settings and files you have adjusted, and M2DC saves them for later restoration.
6. Top-bar and bottom-bar of the screen:
These are, generally, separate elements from the whole "TouchFLO" or Manila theme. You can search for these separately on this site. Search for .tsk files .These control the color scheme and gradient-quality of the top and bottom bars on the screen. After you find ones you want to try, then the way you implement these is:
(a) copy, or place, the .tsk file(s) you want to try into the \Windows folder of your device. Use "File Explorer" for this, to show the directory structure of the files on your phone.
(b) then, to access and switch between those .tsk themes, go to: Start > Settings > Personal > and find the "Today" icon. "Today" is the setting you will be changing. You'll now see in the left-hand box on that page the names of all the .tsk files you just loaded into the Windows directory of your phone. Now you select the one you want to try, click "OK" at the top-right of the screen, and in a second or two, the top-bar and bottom-bar will change. If you like, keep it. if not, try another.
7. Now, all I ask from you is this:
Tell me: Did these instructions help you. Or not. It's okay if the answer is "they did not". I just want to know, so please reply either way. Thanks and good luck.
=================
My Commentary re the Complexity of This Site's information design:
The truth is, XDA comprises an incredible, 2nd-to-none, knowledge base and dedicated developer community, and yet, because of those 2 things, the site is so sprawling and dense that even with using SEARCH and reading Sticky Threads and following links to HOW-TO's, and Newbie Guides, it takes weeks sometimes, just to assemble and/or decode some basic answers. That's a sign that even with the flexible & powerful hierarchical structure of prob the best forum software out there (vBulletin), nevertheless, there is a baseline INFORMATION DESIGN PROBLEM here.
It's not an easy solve by any means. But just for the record, I am taking on that task, since my area of professional specialty is Information Architectire and Customer Usability.
/qs
he was talking about the Touch Pro.. that is not M2D.. but TF3D
for M2D i've written a guide in the guides thread in the Q&A section..
nir36 said:
he was talking about the Touch Pro.. that is not M2D.. but TF3D
for M2D i've written a guide in the guides thread in the Q&A section..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent stuff you've assembled & written. I really value those kinds of guides. Thanks. So i guess the answer to my #7 will be: nope, sorry, i am not using M2D... hah hah, well i had a good time wasting my time writing it up!
No not a waste of time. I read through your post & becasue you spent some time & effort on my post & decided to try again. So 2, 4 & 6 were useful, plus a few other links. Evetually I found some easy .cab files that worked without a problem from the Rapheal section & it's all working fine now.
If you hadnt bothered to respond I wouldn't of had another go, so it was worth it for me! Your right this forum is by far the largest I've useds & with so many variants of product & methods it's easy to get lost. My issue was that I new what I needed, but didn't know why or how.
Thanks
Peter
halo1234 said:
No not a waste of time. I read through your post & becasue you spent some time & effort on my post & decided to try again. So 2, 4 & 6 were useful, plus a few other links. Evetually I found some easy .cab files that worked without a problem from the Rapheal section & it's all working fine now.
If you hadnt bothered to respond I wouldn't of had another go, so it was worth it for me! Your right this forum is by far the largest I've useds & with so many variants of product & methods it's easy to get lost. My issue was that I new what I needed, but didn't know why or how.
Thanks
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I am really glad you got some value from it. And that you found a solution overall for your Raphael. I'll tell you the OTHER value from it: I hadn't even known of nir36's outstanding GUIDES til he referenced them here. So there are multiple outcomes from asking questions. And I could spot that in your case you weren't the more typical "I need this now, i don't have time to look, so could someone just email me the answer?" user who parachutes into XDA-Developers forum land and expects to be handheld for their specific request.
There's a continuum here of what new users ask for -- and thus I think it would be way more realistic for some veteran members here to sometimes see new user questions from the ground level of someone coming into this land of knowledge and, as you sort of said, not even knowing how to frame the question, since the density of information is sometimes impenetrable, and just frame it out for a new user, vs just the standard reply to read read read read read.
As an information designer, I have never ever understood the impulse of some early-adopter people who have had to dig dig dig and read read read to finally pioneer the understandings and piece-together solutions to complex questions, to then want others who follow to work as hard at it as they did. My philosophy is build a better gateway to the knowledge storage, vs chastising people for using the wrong entrance.
For sure it's a 2-way street, and there are hundreds-a-day justifiable reasons for frustrations from knowledge-holders seeing the level of laziness and entitlement coming from the OTHER end of the new user spectrum. They give human beings a bad name
P.S. -- people hate my philosophy comments on a tech-board. I know. I don't try to be verbose, but I know it drives some people batty. In which case, sorry !
hah, i actually like these.
Hello everyone. I've a sort of proposal for the developers here, but before I get into that let me first briefly introduce myself:
I'm a communication designer for print, user interface, and illustration that completely advocates everything Android. I've been lurking the Dream development forums here for quite some time, trying to keep up-to-date with the latest ROMs, apps, etc., etc and I fully appreciate everything that goes on here and the endeavors that you devs put yourself through. Amazing stuff, really.
One thing I've noticed is that there are a slew of third-party / beta apps all over these boards, and other places on the internet as well. More often than not, I find myself scouring the cloud just to find a link for these non-market apps, and I usually get referred to them via some obscure site through another site. Despite getting the .apk file or ROM in the end, the process can get to be a bit tedious; especially for incoming users and those new to the Android platform.
My proposal is this: A website with a simple and clean user interface that has direct and succinct navigation with the purpose of consolidating and listing third-party / beta non-market applications into an easy access database. This website database would link these applications and have them be easily downloaded and installed via the Android browser, without having to mount the device.
I've actually come up with a fully-functional concept site, did the branding and everything for it, and also registered a short domain name for quick access while on your G1 or whatever Android device.
Navigate to: http://anda.pk to see what I had in mind, and how the overall layout/concept of the site would work.
I uploaded several .apk files I had backed up as examples for you to see how the database section would function. I also took into account the resolution of most Android phones and made the .apk application database section fit perfectly in the Android browser when in portrait mode right when you the load the site to ensure the best possible user experience when installing these third party apps. When you scroll to the right, you'll see info on what the site is about, and in the footer there are links to the FAQ, the about section, contact, etc.
I had also noted in the about link in the footer that the applications hosted on the download section are in no way accredited to the site, and that credit goes to their rightful developers. My being a communication designer has had the idea of peer collaboration engrained, and as such I give credit it where credit is due.
That said, I hope you guys here and the developers collaborate with me on on this site, possibly help contribute apks, and agree to them being hosted. If anything, I do hope you just embrace the concept, which originally was just going to be a reference for myself and my friends whom I've turned away from the iPhone, S60, and WinMo in favor of Android. I figured since I know the Android community is only going to get bigger, this website concept of mine could be a decent resource to have bookmarked.
Appreciate you reading this wall of text! Do hope to hear some feedback, so let me know what you guys think. Thanks!
Cheers.
I think this is a fabulous idea...automated version control would go over very well -- i.e. yum update
you should post up bits that you need help with and have folks contact you.
also..I love the logo!
question: do you propose a rating system or a review prior to listing type of approach or something new to keep this resource trustworthy?
Been following this on SA and twitter and it's a great idea.
Having the devs here on board would be a fantastic way to get something solid on the go. It's the kind of thing that can really help android become more hackable and useable for the average user...and it just make things easier for the rest of us.
Sounds good to me.
thelilliandivide said:
the applications hosted on the download section are in no way accredited to the site
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Click to collapse
Credit and accreditation are different things. To be accredited is to be given credentials or official approval. I think you meant "credited".
Sounds like a GREAT idea.
My opinion: The color scheme hurts. Love the logo.
i like the logo and the idea. I think the site should be more mobile friendly, or even better, an application for android that can work like the official market. I could help with that part if an application is going to be built.
camalot said:
i like the logo and the idea. I think the site should be more mobile friendly, or even better, an application for android that can work like the official market. I could help with that part if an application is going to be built.
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Click to collapse
i second that.. it should also have update checks if possible
I was going to complain that I didn't like your site layout, but in portrait mode you only see the left side which lists the apps. I like it.
One thing you might have to be leary of is dealing with apps that are considered warez unless your going to spend the time to verify every app that is uploaded or there has to a method in place.
As well there should be some kind of version control in place. You know what works on 1.1 and what works on 1.5. Obviously almost everybody within the next few weeks/months should be on 1.5, but will all the older apps run on 1.5 or does it really matter or does anybody care? The downloader will care.
CBowley said:
Sounds like a GREAT idea.
My opinion: The color scheme hurts. Love the logo.
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Click to collapse
Seconded. The text is much too light. A darker charcoal shade would be much better.
If the site gets an apk wrapper (a la FBook) version checking would be rather easy. Set up the directory tree something like this /downloads/WiFiTether/1.2.3.apk and just have the apk compare filenames. If the file names don't match, it needs to install the update.
EDIT: Now following your progress on twitter.
Some solid input. I'll play around with the color scheme and make some changes later this evening once I get back from class. And I actually do plan on making a mobile wrapper eventually, but as it stands as far as the concept layout goes, the site is best used when in portrait mode for easiest functionality. The rest of the site is to be considered supplemental. I do however, have a lot of things I eventually want to integrate; application tags, search, possibility of user uploaded apk files, etc. But for right now, I'm trying to keep the general site as simple as possible to make the workload on my end less stressful (graduating in 2 weeks).
bahnburner said:
If the site gets an apk wrapper (a la FBook) version checking would be rather easy. Set up the directory tree something like this /downloads/WiFiTether/1.2.3.apk and just have the apk compare filenames. If the file names don't match, it needs to install the update.
EDIT: Now following your progress on twitter.
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Click to collapse
Did not know how that version checker worked. Thanks. I'll re-work the apk directory scheme akin to that later tonight for when I do eventually get the wrapper up.
thelilliandivide said:
Did not know how that version checker worked. Thanks. I'll re-work the apk directory scheme akin to that later tonight for when I do eventually get the wrapper up.
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Click to collapse
That's not necessarily how most version checks work, but that's the simplest method I could think of, and probably one of the easiest to implement.
alapapa said:
I think this is a fabulous idea...automated version control would go over very well -- i.e. yum update
you should post up bits that you need help with and have folks contact you.
also..I love the logo!
question: do you propose a rating system or a review prior to listing type of approach or something new to keep this resource trustworthy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! And I feel I might need some help in the future as far as implementing the features that I want to get working. But I'm not quite sure I understand your question. Are you referring to how I choose which applications get posted onto the site?
i'm a graphic designer and web designer, i'll throw in a helping hand if you want, pm me or whatever.
(think about an android based layout to bring it to the phone like Cough*cydia*cough
very cool and much needed
Xda-dev is great, but there is alot of stuff thats not on the market and they have shown to bow down to the tmobs pressure(ie: tether app) so another place to get apps would be great, and your weppage is beautiful and looks like it would be very finger friendly on the g1, but there is a basic model in linux of repositories(which is about what ur doing) and a simple app to d/l them maybe somebody could just make a market.apk with a modded addy, depending on how much is known about the market and its inner workings... it would be nice to do it as it has been always done....but as I stated above your webdesign is very nice and would work well in the native browser(im heading there now on my g1)
bhang
not a bad idea. I think this is great for all verified apps that are pulled from market...
I really like this idea. Go for it.
Just one (stupid) remark about the logo... it's like it has a big nose and a :-| expression... sorry
apetit said:
I really like this idea. Go for it.
Just one (stupid) remark about the logo... it's like it has a big nose and a :-| expression... sorry
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Click to collapse
Haha, I just noticed that actually. Now it's all I see. But yeah, I'm hoping to have a few more apps to upload by the end of next week. Revisions to the site are imminent once I get out of this last class.
I love the idea. One bookmark to check up on all the good non-market apps will be much easier than having several bookmarked threads.
Some applications may benefit from having tags such as [beta], [stable], [experimental], [contains-ads], etc.
As others have mentioned once/if user uploads are implemented an app approval system will be crucial to keep the spam at bay. I can see this really taking off.
im a supporter
zgmf-x322a said:
im a supporter
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+1 this sounds like a great idea, there was something like this for apps for the dash,mda & sda.
UPDATE: Database 3.0 can now be found here
Someone asked me to create a thread here for my custom ROM comparison database, so that's what I'm doing here now.
A few words from my side so you know what to expect of it and clear things up.
This is the original text I posted on my blog, so I'll just put it up here as well.
At the end of last week, I asked on G+ what to do next, an app comparison or a new custom ROM review. On of the first answers that got my attention was someone asking for a custom ROM comparison instead. I thought about it for a while how this could works since I can’t show them off side by side and it would be difficult no matter what. While thinking along I also remembered one post on YouTube where a viewer gave me the constructive criticism on the videos getting too long, especially the part where I listed all the features in the video review. I told him I am aware of that fact but I still haven’t found the right solution to make the videos shorter without missing any important specs. After some more thinking the idea of the comparison database was born.
The idea behind the database
Creating a database that contains all the available features clearly visible and quickly to access for everybody was actually the hopefully right solution. Using it I don’t need to waste anymore time on rattling down the whole list in my video… this saves me a whole lot of time but of course also you. And if someone wants to know if a specific feature is available in the reviewed ROM he can just quickly check the database and look for it, it’s as easy as that. Of course this method also allows me to focus more on the important aspects of the ROM itself.
Creating the database itself took quite some time for sure but in the end I think this is the cleaner and smarter solution for everyone. I hope this to get a helpful tool for everyone to easily find the right ROM for himself that suites him the most.
I did 2 videos, one quickly explaining the purpose of the database itself and an additional one explaining some of the more important custom ROM features so that people who are maybe new to custom ROM flashing know what to look for. If you see any feature in my database and wanna know what it is for or what it does, leave me a comment. I will then either quickly explain it if possible or collect some of the requests and make another “features explained” video.
Here is the link for the database (it will also be attached to every upcoming custom ROM video as well as the matching article), it will be updated with every upcoming custom ROM video review. I am no professional in text editing, so if someone is maybe bored or wants to help me out in making a better and more professional appearing database to improve it, please contact me, I’d really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Features of the database
--------------------------------------------------
- detailed list of all possible custom ROM feaures (~100 at the moment, constantly growing)
- containing 13 of the most popular ROMs + stock Android ROM + Xposed Framework to compare with each other (list is still growing)
- a lot of useful additional informations like links to downloads, ROM's websites, G+ communities and much more
- everything is sorted logically and color coded for fast and easy comparison
- all features have a quick explanation, expecially helpful for custom ROM beginners
- a lot of maintainers to keep it updated as good as possible (12 maintainers at the moment) - always looking for more, feel free to join
- constantly working on improving and enhancing the database
here is the link to the database 2.0 - thx to @parker09
some additional videos to explain the whole thing again...
Please feel free to leave any comments.
I'm a real Google docs noob so if someone maybe wants to help me clean it up and polish the style, just contact me.
And if this thread is posted in the wrong section, please just let me know.
UPDATE new host
Updates
Update
I read the posts here and on the portal and wanna set some things straight.
I do the database including the reviews in my free time, but besides that I´m also blogging,doing app/device reviews, how to´s and similar stuff so time for the database is therefore limited. That´s the reason I can´t progress with the database as fast as I would like to, also my way of testing takes up a lot of time.
I will of course try to do it as frequently as possible and of course ROMs like AOKP and Omni will follow in time.
That´s it for that.
Regarding mistakes and such, I know the database isn´t flawless but I´m not doing errors on purpose. About missing features of certain ROMs, it is possible some ROMs now have features that weren´t available at my time reviewing it but it´s almost impossible for me to keep track of all changes since I use different ROMs all the time and can´t always go back to already reviewed ones.
Update 2
Big change, after all what I read, I finally decided to make the database open to edit for public. Everyone can add ROMs and changes as he wishes to. I only ask users to be resposible and keep everything clean. Feel free to make new entries or correct errors if found. I think this is the best way for the database to grow.
The 2nd change is the move to another design made by @parker09 that is way nicer and better in my opinion.
The old one will still stay but won´t be updated anymore I think. So don´t forget to change your current link to the new one.
BIG THX to everyone in advance who decides to particate on working on the database, I hope the new way is a win for everyone.
Update 3
Sorry to say but the open to public idea wasn't the best it seems since the database somehow got messed up a bit. I want to prevent this from happening that's why I have some rules now to hopefully keep things clean and right this time.
Everyone is still welcome to participate in maintaining the database but has to do following now in order to get permissions to edit.
This reason for the rules is so I can better keep track of what gets changed by who and I know which parts are getting updated and which not.
How to get permission to edit?
Please contact me via PM on xda with the following title...
maintain custom ROM database "your email adress" "your google name" (the name that will appear when editing the document)
- Please also write down your name and email again within the pm just to be sure
- Please tell me which ROM(s) you would like to maintain or what you plan to edit.
- Please tell me if it is ok to add you to hangouts, this would make the teamwork faster and easier
Rules for maintainers
can now be found directly in the database
I want this so I have a list of all the maintainer and know who does what, so things don't get mixed up like 2 people editing one rom at the same time getting each other between in their way. This gives me a better overview so I can track the changes.
THANKS TO
-----------------------------------------------
n3ocort3x - AICP Team member
owain94 - PACman Team member
vedantgp - CyanFox Team member - Special thanks for a lot of groundwork&more
josegalre - Special thanks for a lot of groundwork&more
jrudyk
msn.debord
louisjms
lordbalmon
septigation
l3v14n
Thank your for publishing it here as well. This will be helpful for all of us. :good:
SlimBean has Breathing SMS. I should know I ported it (its in MMS settings)
cordell12 said:
SlimBean has Breathing SMS. I should know I ported it (its in MMS settings)
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Click to collapse
Maybe it didn't have it back when I reviewed it or I missed it. Will change it later. Thanks for the heads up
Can you add what you can do with stock+GravityBox? Then people can see which benefits they can get without flashing roms.
Hi nimrodity,
please make it available as a online tool for all ROM makers, so that they can update it as and when possible. and then there's no need you to update it.
Nice I did a column for Paranoid Android (as best I can - some features I don't know what they do) but did as best I could so if you want to copy & paste it.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...VoZ1l0bWxoYnVzek9oNnhlWXc&usp=drive_web#gid=1
On the second sheet I started one ages ago and that's the style I went with, and you hover over for what their options are.
Interesting, but what I would really love to see is developers from cross-ROM platforms joining hands
Lastest Carbon have got Paranoid PIE.
Small adjustments
You had a really great idea by doing this. I once search for something similar to this spredsheet and didn't find anything useful...till now!!
You did a wonderful job!
I just noticed 1 small thing and my other point is a suggestion:
1. In CM10.2 you have an option for the vibration intensity only, so maybe you could add to the "vibration" section: yes, but limited.
2. My suggestion would be to add another "spec" for the ROM. It would be "screen color/gamma calibration". It's a very interesting feature and CM10.2 (latest nightly) has it.
What do you think?
Thanks
Keep up the good work!:good:
maxver0 said:
Lastest Carbon have got Paranoid PIE.
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Click to collapse
I know but it didn't back then when I reviewed it. I can't always update the database especially with the old review build date. It would be too hard to keep track of all.
Thanks for Your work... Hope You will add more ROMs to this database and I hope other members will help You to get the info You need for awesome ROMs like:
Purity...
crdroid
XenonHD
Liquid Smooth
Vanir
Carbon
Illusion
beanstalk
Jellybam
... and more AOSPs
... ... ... ... OMNI
Purity, Vanir, Jellybam and XenonHD should be simple to track because devs keep the same MODs&features... little changes on every new build
More difficult to track other ROMs that add&remove features very often
I can't help You because I'm a Stockish man and I won't try AOSPs for now
Thanks for useful database, It will sure help me when I will going to flash new rom
felix1234 said:
Can you add what you can do with stock+GravityBox? Then people can see which benefits they can get without flashing roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't really make sense since it's all about custom Roms but I already thought about doing a separate review for the blog.
Not sure about your idea, will think about it though
itechengine said:
Hi nimrodity,
please make it available as a online tool for all ROM makers, so that they can update it as and when possible. and then there's no need you to update it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you can see by my simple list I don't know much higher about docs and I have no clue how to do such a tool. The idea sounds really cool if someone knows how to do that and wants to help out just contact me
parker09 said:
Nice I did a column for Paranoid Android (as best I can - some features I don't know what they do) but did as best I could so if you want to copy & paste it.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...VoZ1l0bWxoYnVzek9oNnhlWXc&usp=drive_web#gid=1
On the second sheet I started one ages ago and that's the style I went with, and you hover over for what their options are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will check it later. If you see my YouTube channel you see my PA rant. I don't really have that much interest updating the database with PA since I'm not really a big fan of the to work. Nothing personal but I just can't get warm with their Rom
@nimrodity
Great work. Important factors when choosing rom could besides features be "RAM usage on clean install and no tweaks/installed apps" and benchmarks based on the same conditions.
But anyways, awesome work :thumbup:
pemell said:
@nimrodity
Great work. Important factors when choosing rom could besides features be "RAM usage on clean install and no tweaks/installed apps" and benchmarks based on the same conditions.
But anyways, awesome work :thumbup:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I won't including benchmarks since they have nothing to say about performance in daily use. They are no important factor for me. Same for the rest, also I mention performance and such in my video reviews, don't plan on adding that stuff directly into the database though
On Cyanogenmod it says :
Volume Music Controls : music controls visible only but not with volume buttons.
You can control the music with the Volume buttons whilst being locked.
And if Poweroptions refer to the "menu" that shows when pressing the power button, you can en/disable airplane mode and select "Screenshot". And you can switch between Silent/Vibrate/Sound Profile.
Why no MIUI?
Great work! Just one little nag - why no mention of MIUI? It's distinct feature set should surely warrant a review, but that's just my opinion.
jwchips said:
Great work! Just one little nag - why no mention of MIUI? It's distinct feature set should surely warrant a review, but that's just my opinion.
Click to expand...
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My database is far from being complete, I just started . I chose my Roms randomly until now. Miui is still possible to come