Related
Hi all,
I have a concept for a single update application that would be driven from the AndroidSPIN release database so all developers could use it for ROM, Themes, Applications and anything releases to devices.
If you wouldn't mind taking a couple of minutes to read this post, I would greatly appreciate it.
http://www.androidspin.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=260&t=226
I'd really love to get a group together to collaborate and either help design this and/or write an application and back end to do it.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks
Simon
Sounds like an awesome idea, I'd love to help any way I can, but I dont fit in any of the needed positions for the post. Looking forward to see what develops though
Fantastic idea!
I only ever use XDA so god knows what I'm missing out on elsewhere and to be honest after searching the word android on google and trawling through one crap site after another becomes tiresome so hence the 'XDA only' policy.
Sorry I can't offer any programming skills but you have my support on this project whole heartedly, not that it counts for much I know buh MeH!
Hope you can get this off the ground.
As I mentioned to Simon already, I was thinking about building an update application for my ROM. I love the idea of having an on-phone ROM database, update capability, something that can easily be used by any developer in the community.
Some initial thoughts on functionality:
- Browse ROMs
- Download ROMs to SD Card
- Monitor specific ROMs for updates
- Monitor currently running ROM for updates
I'm willing to lend a hand on the Android side of things, but this will be a large undertaking and we will also need some people to contribute to the UI, server side of things, etc.
I do iPhone UI design for applications now (I don't have an iPhone, but most of my contracts and clients are iPhone based), but let me know and I can whip up anything you guys need UI related.
Send me a PM and I can get the ball rolling on how the functionality can be laid out as well.
Even tho I know I wouldnt be able to help out with this. I know I would love to test this out if you needed it.
Its a great idea!!!
I know a teeny bit of Java, and I'm working on becoming an Android developer, so if anything needs doing on the Android side of things, I'm willing to contribute.
Although I may not know as much as some others, I'm definitely a fast learner. I have a few books on Android development I'm reading through right now.
michinohatoresu said:
I know a teeny bit of Java, and I'm working on becoming an Android developer, so if anything needs doing on the Android side of things, I'm willing to contribute.
Although I may not know as much as some others, I'm definitely a fast learner. I have a few books on Android development I'm reading through right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, we can reuse a lot of code from Cyanogen updater.
akirah said:
Well, we can reuse a lot of code from Cyanogen updater.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, of course.
If anything else needs doing, however, I volunteer what spare time I have.
akirah said:
Well, we can reuse a lot of code from Cyanogen updater.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be easily done, would require quite a lot of laborious work ripping out all the stuff you wouldn't need though.
I would take a look at this but unfortunately I have another Android project on at the moment which is taking all my development spare time.
@SimonNWalker What sort of backend having you got going? REST? SOAP?
Ups wrong theread
not that it matters (since i kept the source 100% open)....
you have my blessing to tear the cmupdater to shreds if it will give us a unified solution to all our ROM cravings
firefart has done a good job of keeping the code pretty clean so there shouldnt be too many issues with grabbing it
and the new code for the screenshots for themes could probably be used to the advantage of this project with ease
I'm not really interested in a rom updater, but a market replacement with an "upgrade all" feature (à la apt-get / yum) drawing from multiple repositories would be most exciting.
The Cyanogen updater could be used, it just needs some modifications. Stuff like sub-sections and update all
Would probably need a new method to keep track of the updates aswell, I don't think json would be sufficient for a lot of applications and updates. Unless somebody could make some kind of script to automate the process when it gets uploaded.
willmav5000 said:
Would probably need a new method to keep track of the updates aswell, I don't think json would be sufficient for a lot of applications and updates. Unless somebody could make some kind of script to automate the process when it gets uploaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only other method I would consider, besides JSON, is an advanced and well thought out web-based form that the developer is forced to complete upon uploading a ROM. This would place more burden on the server, but should be relatively easy to attach the provided ROM information to the rom database.
Think: Check boxes for firmware compatibilities, check boxes for device compatibilities, version number, change log, etc.
Maybe something a little like this?
Wow this would be/ is gonna be awsome!
I would suggest also that you can backup your sd card settings (and maybe also sms...) to an ftp server (or some other server you can install on your pc) from this app...
like (incremential) backup>partition>wipe>install update>boot>getbackupback
problem is to get the server adress back after wipe. maybe stored in web database and encrypted with phone imei number? or uploaded as google
whatever...
or just not wiping that single adress
just saying ^^
willmav5000 said:
Would probably need a new method to keep track of the updates aswell, I don't think json would be sufficient for a lot of applications and updates. Unless somebody could make some kind of script to automate the process when it gets uploaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JSON is just a file format. The CM Updater works via a static JSON file that gets updated manually. The way I'd design this (which is what I asked a couple of posts back) is a dynamic web service (probably REST based) which delivered JSON dynamically. Wouldn't be too difficult at all.
As SimonWalker said he's using PHP + MySQL I'm guessing that's already being done.
@garok89: CM Updater is completely open-source therefore blessings are not needed to use the source. Really don't understand all the "credit" crap here on XDA.
senab said:
@garok89: CM Updater is completely open-source therefore blessings are not needed to use the source. Really don't understand all the "credit" crap here on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it is open and I don't need to give my blessing for people to use the source. I did so because a lot of people don't feel comfortable using other peoples code without permission, regardless of whether or not its 100% open source.
And as for the 'credit crap'... I don't see you asking for your name to be removed from the 'about' section of the app
I am not asking for any credit
Anyway, lets not get off topic...
Guys, before this becomes Android Open Alliance, the sequel (you all remember how that went), I think we better set up a way to work together first and then toss in the speculative stuff later.
How about starting simple; set up a wave?
Important: The docs are up. The live copy can be found on http://docs.insertcoin-roms.org/ and the Git repository on https://github.com/Manko10/InsertCoin-Docs/. For information on how to participate, see the wiki.
Hi,
This thread is related to the InsertCoin ROM by baadnewz (see this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1198684). Since I haven't written 10 postings yet, I can't post to that thread nor create a new one in that forum.
InsertCoin has become a quite popular ROM for the HTC Sensation. It has had 200,000 downloads yet and numbers still raise. With increasing popularity it becomes more and more difficult to get hold of information you need concerning installation, problems, modification, tweaking etc. The result is a very high number of redundant questions on the forums and confused newcomers.
The project
Thus being said, it is time to create a good and centralized knowledgebase which helps new users to dive straight into using InsertCoin, keeps the development thread cleaner and helps to push the project forward since energy can be focused more on implementing new features and fixing bugs than on answering the same questions all over again.
baadnewz attempted to launch a Wiki once, but it ceased and shut down (as well as the whole baadnewz.eu server which was the last more or less valuable resource for help outside XDA-Developers.com).
Now my idea is to create a new official InsertCoin documentation project. I talked to baadnewz and he assured it would be promoted and integrated into the official website once it comes to life. The project I'm heading for is a community-driven one. I would work for it as much as I can but I can't do it alone. I'm not experienced enough in many (especially technical areas) of InsertCoin development and Android development in general. There are many things to learn about InsertCoin. And to be honest: I also don't have the time to write all the stuff by myself. Once I had written everything, it would already be outdated. So this project is only possible if other people participate actively.
How shall the documentation be implemented?
I thought of a project hosted on GitHub. Users can fork the project, make changes and send pull requests. For infrequent submissions, we could also provide a special submission form.
A staging server would then pull the HEAD revision regularly, format it and publish it as a website.
Sounds complicated? But it isn't. Git is pretty much straightforward and also users without technical knowledge can learn it very quickly (yes, there are great graphical tools for it). And of course, the documentation would also include a noob-proof guide to contribution.
But why Git? Why not a Wiki?
A Wiki might seem to be easier, but in fact a Wiki has to be updated regularly. Patches for bugs and security holes have to be applied. Additionally, we had to fight spam. Especially when we use some well known software such as MediaWiki, spam bots would love it. That can be a lot of work.
But the main reason is portability. A Wiki is a Wiki, nothing more. Exporting the contents into other formats would be a tedious process. However, when using plain text files with a simple markup language such as Markdown, they can be exported to all formats we like. Not only can the staging server parse it to HTML, but it can also be exported to PDF, CHM files (does anybody still use these?) and many more formats.
All right, but what is to be documented?
Well, a lot. Things I have though of are
Installation
Where to get InsertCoin ROM?
Which version?
How to flash InsertCoin?
How to upgrade from previous versions?
To wipe or not to wipe (and when)?
Kernels
Which Kernels are there?
Where to get them?
What are the differences?
Advantages/disadvantages of specific Kernels
How to install a new Kernel/revert to stock?
What is a Kernel and why can't I install it via the Market? (dumb question, yes, but important to know)
Known problems
Any reported bugs still present in version X?
How do I report my own bugs?
Why does feature Y not work (and never will)?
Features
Why to choose InsertCoin?
How to submit feature requests?
Requirements
What do I need to run InsertCoin?
Which baseband version do I need?
Where do I get a new baseband version and which one to choose?
Does it work on device X, too?
Which is the oldest supported version for custom kernels?
Add-ons
Which add-ons are there?
Where to get them?
How to flash them?
What to be aware of?
How to get rid of malfunctioning add-ons?
Customization
Which themes are there?
How do I install them?
How do I revert back to the default theme?
How to set up custom boot splash and boot animation?
FAQ
Things users ask all the time
Things users might ask regularly in the future
Milestones
Any planned features for future releases?
How many ROMs to release tomorrow?
Participation
How to submit patches?
How to improve the documentation?
How to pay a round for baad?
General information
What else could be valuable information?
How do I backup and restore my data most efficiently and least time consuming for upgrades which force a full wipe?
etc.
The list goes on. It's up to us how much it'll grow. Make suggestions please. Don't hesitate!
And now you come into play!
Do you think, such a project could become a success? Do you have suggestions, ideas, criticism? Post it here. Please.
Would you like to contribute? Post an answer. You would be one of the glorious pioneers.
If I get enough positive feedback and support by people who want to contribute I will start working on the base system, set up the Git repository, write the staging software and launch the project. If not, it would have been at least worth the effort. But you would contribute and give something back to the community, wouldn't you? Sure, indeed...! ;-)
Cheers
Manko10
Do you think, such a project could become a success? Do you have suggestions, ideas, criticism? Post it here. Please.
Would you like to contribute? Post an answer. You would be one of the glorious pioneers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course it'll succeed cause it'll be much easier with plain updated steps (n00b proof )
I would like to contribute if u may allow
THIS IS AWESOME
Of course you can contribute. Everyone is pretty much welcome to do that.
For Baad and InsertCoin itself, I think it would be a perfect success. I myself have been looking for a central resource database for InsertCoin, but always resort to just searching the thread, which is not exactly the most efficient method.
I don't know much on the technical ROM-based side of things, but I am a web developer, so I'm sure I'd be able to help in the deployment of such a website. I also happen to have a vBulletin license I'm not using. If Baad wants to expand his ideas even further and have a sort of official InsertCoin forum, all to himself, I could most definitely lend a hand for that.
I'm thinking large scale here; and upon writing this, further ideas have just popped into my head, but I'll save that for later, but hey, Baad is largely-awesome.
If you happen to have an MSN or Skype, Manko, I'd love to talk to you further
i have a better idea for talking / chatting in a more centralized way: IRC
#baadnwz-roms on freenode
I don't know much on the technical ROM-based side of things, but I am a web developer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So am I.
I'm quite sure, baad will help us as good as he can but he is of course very busy with the ROMS. So it's better to have many guys in the project who know more about the technical stuff.
I would try to help too, if You like. If You don't need IC pro's only
We need everyone (IC pros are needed, but not only).
First of all we need people who have fun writing and maintaining (!) good and understandable documentation.
Guys
if you do this - it will be bloody FANTASTIC!
noobproof guide needed badly
Make it so. Sounds like it could become a great resource.
It will, but only if enough people participate.
why not add chatbox on the coming site, isnt much better? 24/7 we can have conversation as like me, am from the philippines, and my time is different to others
Well, the documentation would also be there 24/7. I think for live talking we should better use IRC (#baadnwz-roms on irc.freenode.net). Embedded chats on websites consume a lot of bandwidth.
lol!, i guess so, yeah, maybe irc is much better. anyways, maybe i can contribute some design for future use.
Just jeep in mind that IC is also made by baadnewz for the Desire (and the wildfire too?). I'd like to write some things for the Desire version of IC.
koenvbeek said:
Just jeep in mind that IC is also made by baadnewz for the Desire (and the wildfire too?). I'd like to write some things for the Desire version of IC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes once the project starts, desire will be there too
for wf i made 2 roms long time ago, and then i sold the phone
Ill contribute if i can I love this rom
wow... this sounds freaking awsome. i would most definately help with coding once the repositories are set up ^_^
I think it would be really beneficial for everyone especially for the folks who are new to the ROM. 600+ pages of comments are a LOT to read through!
Make it so. (with Jean Luc Picard's Voice ) Nice idea.
Would like to contribute sth, though I have a really tight schedule lately...
Developers at XDA.
I’m sure many of you have heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Over the past week I’ve become involved and have determined that there is a need that could most efficiently be met through technology and since I know little of developing I’m looking for some assistance.
Here is the problem:
Protesters are not allowed to communicate with a PA system. This means that when we try to organize we need to scream everything out to each other and pass the message along. As you can image, in the game of telephone things get distorted and misunderstood. We need some way to relay messages to anyone who needs it quickly.
Solution:
I believe that an app would be the best way to facilitate this. While there could be updates online, that’s slow and requires people who want to post something online to go to the blog. It also means that we would have to constantly check. It also means that someone would have to type long messages in through a touch screen. Not efficient.
My Idea is for the app comes from seeing the app Coco voice for the iphone. It’s a service where you can speak into your phone and like a text message it sends that vocal message to said recipient. Now if you took that same kind of recording idea, and instead of sending it directly to a phone number, uploaded it to a main server and people subscribed to that specific “group” (or what have you) would receive a push notification about a new message. Then everyone would be able to get important information about what’s happening, what we’re doing. And especially where to avoid clashes with police. A text element for quick messages would also be great.
What’s in it for you:
1) You’d be helping a movement that hopefully you believe in.
2) The use of this application could go far beyond just this movement. It’s sort of vocal tweeting phone to phone. Subscribe to a group and be informed. People could record a cut of a song and send it directly or just say hello to all your loved ones at once while on vacation. This is a legitimate idea that has widespread application.
3) This will quickly become one of the more downloaded apps. There were 15-20,000 people at the NYC protest last night. The protests are also sprouting up in over 10 different cities across the US. Then there will be people that just want to know what happening. An immediate wide audience to launch the application and gain publicity.
4) You will get mad props
Is there anyone out there who is willing to put in some time in helping to develop an application to help facilitate communication among protesters? This would have to be a free app at least until the protests are over. Preferably it would be both iOs and android compatible. Please let me know so we can talk through some ideas, specifics, timelines, and what not.
Also let me know if you think this is possible or not. Or if you have any other good ideas. Let’s get this moving.
ps - let's try to keep this from getting political. We do not need to argue about the protest here. If you are interested great help out, if not then just move on to the next thread. Thanks in advance.
LoL. Really? What are you end goals? What do you want changed? Who makes the rules?
Russ T. Nail said:
ps - let's try to keep this from getting political. We do not need to argue about the protest here. If you are interested great help out, if not then just move on to the next thread. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jcbofkc said:
LoL. Really? What are you end goals? What do you want changed? Who makes the rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you miss that part?
Russ T. Nail said:
Developers at XDA.
I’m sure many of you have heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Over the past week I’ve become involved and have determined that there is a need that could most efficiently be met through technology and since I know little of developing I’m looking for some assistance.
Here is the problem:
Protesters are not allowed to communicate with a PA system. This means that when we try to organize we need to scream everything out to each other and pass the message along. As you can image, in the game of telephone things get distorted and misunderstood. We need some way to relay messages to anyone who needs it quickly.
Solution:
I believe that an app would be the best way to facilitate this. While there could be updates online, that’s slow and requires people who want to post something online to go to the blog. It also means that we would have to constantly check. It also means that someone would have to type long messages in through a touch screen. Not efficient.
My Idea is for the app comes from seeing the app Coco voice for the iphone. It’s a service where you can speak into your phone and like a text message it sends that vocal message to said recipient. Now if you took that same kind of recording idea, and instead of sending it directly to a phone number, uploaded it to a main server and people subscribed to that specific “group” (or what have you) would receive a push notification about a new message. Then everyone would be able to get important information about what’s happening, what we’re doing. And especially where to avoid clashes with police. A text element for quick messages would also be great.
What’s in it for you:
1) You’d be helping a movement that hopefully you believe in.
2) The use of this application could go far beyond just this movement. It’s sort of vocal tweeting phone to phone. Subscribe to a group and be informed. People could record a cut of a song and send it directly or just say hello to all your loved ones at once while on vacation. This is a legitimate idea that has widespread application.
3) This will quickly become one of the more downloaded apps. There were 15-20,000 people at the NYC protest last night. The protests are also sprouting up in over 10 different cities across the US. Then there will be people that just want to know what happening. An immediate wide audience to launch the application and gain publicity.
4) You will get mad props
Is there anyone out there who is willing to put in some time in helping to develop an application to help facilitate communication among protesters? This would have to be a free app at least until the protests are over. Preferably it would be both iOs and android compatible. Please let me know so we can talk through some ideas, specifics, timelines, and what not.
Also let me know if you think this is possible or not. Or if you have any other good ideas. Let’s get this moving.
ps - let's try to keep this from getting political. We do not need to argue about the protest here. If you are interested great help out, if not then just move on to the next thread. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about a tweeter like app? But instead of status updates in text they are mp3s or wav files
Sent from my Sensation 4g using XDA App
mohsinkhan47 said:
What about a tweeter like app? But instead of status updates in text they are mp3s or wav files
Sent from my Sensation 4g using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that would work as well. Definitely open to suggestions that might make this easier for developers. Ant interest?
jcbofkc said:
LoL. Really? What are you end goals? What do you want changed? Who makes the rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to talk to you about this, but this is not the right place for that discussion. Pm me if you actually have interest, I have real answers. I just know this forum was not made for this purpose so I won't do it here.
It would be very honorable for some Devs to spend a little bit of time on this. I could see this app on headlines. Would be a good way for some Dev to get exposure too.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums
Moving to Q&A
You guys are on fark....
www.fark.com/comments/6626162
Hello to everyone!
I've been learning to code for a while so to create my own application/software idea but the problem is that I found out that it isn't really my "area". The thing is I still got this awesome idea that I really want to be developed. It's pretty obvious that I'm not just yelling out what the idea specifically is...but... I need someone that:
1- Knows how to develop an app and release to it in "play store".
2- Good all-round(by this I mean can easily jump from one problem to a completely different problem)(I don't need a "programmer or nothing")
3- Well motivated and friendly.
4- This idea obviously needs some funding. I can do that on my own if you don't want to. Without a doubt the profits will be split between us (This will be later accorded when we meet up)
The idea basically is: Develpment of an alternative market. Come on read on... By market I don't mean Aptoid,Snappzmarket where people can steal software...It's a different market.
The idea won't make you a billionare! But it has an incredible amount of potential if done correctly...and that's where I need you.
I currently live in Italy but can travel anywhere in Europe without any problem.
If anyone is interested in this please contact me via PM. I'm relitively new to xda developers but I have been reading loads of great stuff on it so THUMBS UP XDA! I'm not posting my email address for SPAM reasons.
So I am going to post this here, because the development section is ferboten to people trying to offer useful suggestions. Geez, I hope this is the right section.
Let me set it up. ANDROID IS BASED ON THE LINUX KERNEL. Everything, and I mean everything after that fact becomes android and bloat. Given this as the basis of all things android, I have a simple set of guidelines that should be used to create a solid, reliable, bullet proof operating system for devices able to use the android operating system.
#1. Create the kernel boot section of the basic platform that supports the very basic hardware features, including touch screen, radios, power/charging/battery management, wifi, bluetooth, nearfield, audio, microphone, s-pen,etc. Basics only. Root access is standard and can be turnd on/off just like developwer functions. No special tricks or addon hoops to jump through.
#2 At this point STOP. Every single process or service to be run on the device from this point forward should be able to be individually selectable - or not. Yes, I understand that individual services or apps may have dependancies to other processes and that thouse need to be functional in order for a particular app to work. That is why, each additional service or app must list the dependencies and in the selection process, the installion will be required to verify you have the proper services installed and functioning, if not to list them and allow you to make the decision to proceed. Viola, we have NO MORE BLOAT WARE.
#3 Make selecting additional services/apps selection process a menu driven, tag selectable process. Make the unselection process smart to verify and identify the other apps dependant on the item you are killing/removing.
#4 Allow a built in snapshot option to capture the entire system as you have customized it for yourself and allow it to be backed up to external memory with the ability to bring it back, AT WILL. With no big hassles.
Those 4 items are a good start. By themselves alone, it would put all of us in the drivers seat of controlling and living with our devices.
I am aware that such a system is not for everyone. It does require some basic technical understanding of the process. But for the vast majority of users, I am certain, that an a la carte system is far superior to the bloated monstrosities being forced down our devices.
I would appreciate any refinements to my suggestions.
The silence is deafening. It has been days. Kind of says something, don't you think?
I am so very happy (not) that these boards a compartmentalized to the point where you can't get through.
Pretty much a waste of my valuable time, especially considering the fact that if my suggestions where applied, people would be clamoring for an installation with those features. I guess there is not much true "developer" in xdadevelopers anymore.
Funny guys, with the pay to remove ads spam here. Really? Why? For what.
I leave here disappointed. Not angry. Just sad.
I'm not a developer so I have nothing valuable to contribute to your suggestions in your original post but I can offer an observation regarding your perception of the level of contribution to your thread and that is the fact that is particular area of the forums probably isn't the ideal spot to have a discussion such as this. You figured that out already so sure you can call me Capt. Obvious if you wish but I'm just pointing out that yes the forums are compartmentalized (as you've stated) in such a way that development for each device is separated out. This development is centered around AOSP based ROMs or "stock" ROMs (using manufacturer released source) so if you're looking to have higher level discussions about what AOSP should look like then deep down at this device specific level probably isn't where you want to be. So there's that . . . then there's the fact that for this particular device you can basically hear a pin drop in the sub-forums as it is since nothing much is going on by way of development.
Where specifically such a discussion would see more input I'm not sure, perhaps the main general discussion section?
Thank you for your sobering reply. I get frustrated. Already had my post bounced out of "wrong" forum while trying to speak directly to "developers" (i wanted air quotes because the term does not accuratly describe its target) So I tried this. The note pro 12.0 is still the best hardware giving the ipad a run for its money. The problem its monkeyshines kiddie software running it, or not running, or barely running it. ANDROID, indian word for crappy wannabe software, developed by clueless kids.
Again, thanks for the gentle nudge. I appreciate someone willing to conduct a conversation
Are you looking for an Ubuntu or SUSE type of setup?
I think what you are looking for is similar to apt-get type of installs, I could be wrong of course. This might be helpful for many "users". I think one of the barriers is that there are slight differences between the models of tablets, and creating the logic to put in for the sub-dependencies might prove problematic. You might get more answers to this possibility by asking one of the developers directly and sharing with them. Not a developer myself.