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Hi all, was wondering if I could enlist your help?
I have an Orange Tytn II and would like some feedback as to what people think is
- the best regeditor
- the best set of useful plugins - including updating to WM6.1
- the best source of skins
for the Tytn II
thank you.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated...
richardS said:
Hi all, was wondering if I could enlist your help?
I have an Orange Tytn II and would like to;
- find available plugins which might include - skins and ways to upload, - Change the battery icon to a useful icon of a battery - rather than Orange one
- Change the time that the screen stays on when I'm on a call - so a reg editor
- Maybe upgrade to WM6.1 (without changing Orange menus etc)
Any thoughts would be much appreciated...
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All your questions are answered here
And the first topics in first page of the kaiser forum.
I dont want to sound like a ass, but did you look around at all first? All of that is easy to find, well not the upgrade because you will not get that util your service provider comes out with that unless you want a new cooked rom.
Ok..sorry, obviously not clear enough.
I would like some feedback as to what people think is
- the best regeditor
- the best set of useful plugins - including updating to WM6.1
- the best source of skins
for the Tytn II
thank you.
PS - have been reading this forum for hours and as I am sure you can appreciate I am trying to cut through the chaff, not unreasonable wouldn't you say?
richardS said:
Ok..sorry, obviously not clear enough.
I would like some feedback as to what people think is
- the best regeditor
- the best set of useful plugins - including updating to WM6.1
- the best source of skins
for the Tytn II
thank you.
PS - have been reading this forum for hours and as I am sure you can appreciate I am trying to cut through the chaff, not unreasonable wouldn't you say?
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Click to collapse
NO. Search and read some more before you ask...
Now ya all ganging up on me...
easy isn't it to say "RTFM".... and makes you look so good too...
I bet the Wiki will find you all the answers, and if not, the search will.
But seriously, quoting the post above you, or quoting in a thread with one single topic is almost as annoying...
richardS said:
Ok..sorry, obviously not clear enough.
I would like some feedback as to what people think is
- the best regeditor
- the best set of useful plugins - including updating to WM6.1
- the best source of skins
for the Tytn II
thank you.
PS - have been reading this forum for hours and as I am sure you can appreciate I am trying to cut through the chaff, not unreasonable wouldn't you say?
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Click to collapse
1) FdcSoft Task Manager
2) You need to Flash your rom to upgrade to 6.1. (so you will lose your orange stuff).
3) Varies on what you like. You will have to search on this, im affraid.
I think it makes you look good too that you don't care enough to do your own legwork. There is more than "hours" of reading here... try DAYS.
PS - have been reading this forum for hours and as I am sure you can appreciate I am trying to cut through the chaff, not unreasonable wouldn't you say?
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Cut through the chaff? Maybe now you can see why there is SOOO much chaff! So yes, it is unreasonable to just start a thread because you don't care to search, try, dig deeper and go for it.
There are skins threads out the butt around here.
A regedit cab? Try PHM RegEdit
Cabs??? What do you call useful? How would WE know what YOU think is useful? There are 1,000's of cabs to install. Are you into photos? Music? GPS? Games? Putty? Contacts? What is it that YOU want?
Find your cabs by searching.... here is a starting point for you:
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=c.../forum.xda-developers.com&as_rights=&safe=off
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=316183
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=248409
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=308773
How many pages shall I find for you? You didn't specify.
If you don't feel like helping yourself, you can start a new thread or reply to this one.
Okay, here is your one free "I'm too lazy to search & read" answer. I personally would've saved it for a "my device is bricked" question, but hey!
I use resco explorer. It is in my opinion the best file explorer & as a bonus it comes with one of the best & friendliest to use registry explorers & editors. Resco also allows you to easily network you computer to your PPC.
I get my full length battery bar, enhcanced scrolling & a much more effective X-button using SPB Pocket Plus. I have deleted the today plug-in portion of the app. so the size is more reasonable. This will also give you multi-tab browsing capability & allow you to use the ok button or X-button to only close one PIE page at a time.
There are tons of theme skins available, but why you would ask about those is beyond me. What's good depends on what you like because they range from plain black to cars to naked women. So, you're on your own there. Start with the "Show us your today screen thread" there are links to tens of thousands of themes there.
Also, get kaiser tweak & the current xml file for it.
WM6.1: If you're not up to flashing yet, you can still add some of the functionality of 6.1 to your stock rom. I suggest getting the PIE6.1 cab file. This will add zoom & overview capability to you current PIE edition. Also take a look at the current Arcsoft 5.0 version. This will add the Voicemail MMS option to MMS text messaging. (as of yet it still won't give you threaded messaging).
A hint for the future. Always search & read first. You can use search, then find a thread & once in the thread there is a search this thread button that will further help you slim down the amount of reading you have to do, it's called "search this thread" & will only return results for the thread you're currently in.
Also use the exclusion feature of advanced search. Highlight the forums that are pertinent to what you're asking. That way you don't get Blue Angel returns for your Kaiser question. I have over three hundred posts. If you look at my posts I don't think I've ever been flamed & I've helped several people with problems even from day one, because maybe I just read an answer that was no help to me, but was exactly what the next guy was looking for. It doesn't pay to be selfish here because everyone has issues, not just you & we've all had to read & work through them. What makes you able to say, hey I deserve an answer without reading (cut through the chaff) when most everyone else has taken the hard path & learned along the way.
Believe me that the reading will pay off in spades. You WILL have MORE problems with your Kaiser. Nature of the beast. I can't tell you how many times I've answered my own question because something I'd read earlier popped back into my mind. Reading will save you time in the long run & helps to keep the boards free of clutter.
That said, good luck with your new Kaiser.
It is just me, or does anyone else receive SPAM email in their personal email accounts?
Hey Grizzz,
Dang man we're opposites! You burn him down then soften the landing, where I like to raise him up then take out the knees! Either way it makes much more sense to do it one of those two ways.
Sure, I know the Noobie needs to have his wrist smacked, but why not do it in a way that ends the thread, like you or I do. Just reprimanding the kiddie does nothing but waste space. So help a Noobie out, take him under your wing & show him how things are done. Don't just reprimand him.
Maybe somew of the +1000 post old timers used to be like us too? Could they have become callus to where they came from? Except of course peep's like cmonex, Jockey, Dutty, Meinyysis, Olipro (I think they were all spawn with a pda in there hand & I heard that Oli's middle name was CE, lol...
You are right. But in the "old" days - AKA Hermes Forum one year ago FLAMING was hard and cruel . A noooob got FLAMED if he had not done his homework - and I find it was actually OK.
I remember reading for DAYS to find out how to FLASH, and IF I had any questions - I asked in a PM or in the specific thread....
I remember a long discussion about having limits for newies so they could not write in the Forum for some time after they joined to make sure they used some time reading before asking the same questions again and again...
Martinhdk said:
You are right. But in the "old" days - AKA Hermes Forum one year ago FLAMING was hard and cruel . A noooob got FLAMED if he had not done his homework - and I find it was actually OK.
I remember reading for DAYS to find out how to FLASH, and IF I had any questions - I asked in a PM or in the specific thread....
I remember a long discussion about having limits for newies so they could not write in the Forum for some time after they joined to make sure they used some time reading before asking the same questions again and again...
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Yeah, I remember lurking in Hermes afraid to ask. I once even PM'd Meinyysis & bit my nails for days hoping that the response wouldn't be "Go Die". Not that he'd ever do anything like that, but Hermes forum was brutal at times.
I dont understand why people are hesitating to help instead enjoy having the attitude and reply harsh. If a thread is unnecessary, then the moderator can lock the thread.
This person was looking for some openion. He is not asking how to install something.
1) If you dont want to reply, ignore the post
2) If you care this site and feel the thread is unnecessary, PM mod and ask him to lock the thread
3) To control these kinds of thread and you really get annoyed to answer question which you asked when you were actually a newbee, try to organize this site. Evaluate the members before they join.
One smart person gave the link for search. What an attitude. I am not sure what he is thinking about himself. I seriously hate the attitude of some people here.
MartinH - Please dont feel that all the posts are directed to you.
richardS said:
Now ya all ganging up on me...
easy isn't it to say "RTFM".... and makes you look so good too...
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Ah, to live life unencumbered with things like common sense...
In newbie's defense...
I haven't asked any questions and I search the threads and wiki's, but I have to say that this forum is not the easiest thing to find anything in because every thread is packed full of non sense that has nothing to do with the topic. The guy simply asked if there was a way to find plugins and such.
Give the guy a break and just send him a link . I wish there was a better search engine on this forum, but there isn't so I continue to read...and read and read...
jtb74129 said:
I haven't asked any questions and I search the threads and wiki's, but I have to say that this forum is not the easiest thing to find anything in because every thread is packed full of non sense that has nothing to do with the topic. The guy simply asked if there was a way to find plugins and such.
Give the guy a break and just send him a link . I wish there was a better search engine on this forum, but there isn't so I continue to read...and read and read...
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vBulletin has a bad search function itself. However there's a advance google search that correctly search the site,
i have the tytn ii and am very new to it
im looking to put message/alert tones on but dont know where to put them..
ive got a few good alerts that id like to put there....ie. new email/message that sort of stuff
please could someone show me the way to go on
thanks in advance
I am a member of various forums, and mod two with more members than this forum. Here's my thoughts;
This forum is full of useful info, but it's also buried amongst huge piles of crap and spam
1) vBulletin software sucks...try IP.B
2) If you feel the urge to reply, reply with something useful
3) If you feel the thread is a waste of time don't add your spam to it. It makes you look more of an arse than the poster; Martinhdk and we3zy
4) Post counts mean nothing, see point 3)
for the persons who actually added useful info to this thread, then thank you, you know who you are.
To the Mods..I've copy and pasted the useful info, so by all means delete this thread, as no one found it useful but me... and save this forum getting more cluttered.
Newbie who has evolved from basics to cooking solely with the great information that is included here (and the great tools). Haven't asked any questions in anything but the accessories sections until now - hope I don't start with a stupid one. Do my part by answering most questions that I can and I have searched for literally hours on this without finding a definitive answer (I swear I'm not too stupid).
How do the great chefs cook their registry settings in? Do you edit the hives during the cooking process every time? Seems like there should be an easier way than how I am doing it and I can't seem to find a definitive answer anywhere. It takes me forever to export the files and edit them to my liking only to have to cook another version 20 minutes later to fix some custom package issue. I've looked everywhere for the right solution...tried everything from manually editing to using Settings Savior, etc and nothing is the answer I'm looking for. Not very advanced as a programmer, but should understand enough to figure this out. I like most of the changes suggested by KaiserTweak and want to integrate them plus some others (the WiFi registry edits for the Comm Manager, etc.). Is a provisioning.xml file the answer? My ROMs are generally just for me - but I have had one or two people ask to try them and I hate that you still have to tweak so many settings (via KaiserTweak, etc.) after flashing to get them the way I really want them. Thanks much for any help you can give me.
Actually - one other question. Now that I'm to this point I'd like to start making some donations to those that have created the tools that have made it possible for me. What is a standard donation? Don't want to offend either way. Thanks again.
Bump. I know I didn't wait long, but it made it to page 3 overnight.
Guilf said:
Newbie who has evolved from basics to cooking solely with the great information that is included here (and the great tools). Haven't asked any questions in anything but the accessories sections until now - hope I don't start with a stupid one. Do my part by answering most questions that I can and I have searched for literally hours on this without finding a definitive answer (I swear I'm not too stupid).
How do the great chefs cook their registry settings in? Do you edit the hives during the cooking process every time? Seems like there should be an easier way than how I am doing it and I can't seem to find a definitive answer anywhere. It takes me forever to export the files and edit them to my liking only to have to cook another version 20 minutes later to fix some custom package issue. I've looked everywhere for the right solution...tried everything from manually editing to using Settings Savior, etc and nothing is the answer I'm looking for. Not very advanced as a programmer, but should understand enough to figure this out. I like most of the changes suggested by KaiserTweak and want to integrate them plus some others (the WiFi registry edits for the Comm Manager, etc.). Is a provisioning.xml file the answer? My ROMs are generally just for me - but I have had one or two people ask to try them and I hate that you still have to tweak so many settings (via KaiserTweak, etc.) after flashing to get them the way I really want them. Thanks much for any help you can give me.
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Click to collapse
I'd suggest reading this post, which basically says, make an OEM package.
Guilf said:
Actually - one other question. Now that I'm to this point I'd like to start making some donations to those that have created the tools that have made it possible for me. What is a standard donation? Don't want to offend either way. Thanks again.
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Click to collapse
Anything you choose to donate or can afford. Average is about $20, I've seen as low as $5 and as high as $50.
Guilf said:
Bump. I know I didn't wait long, but it made it to page 3 overnight.
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In the future, if you want a timely response, I suggest you reply to an existing thread. It seems most folks (including myself) use the thread subscriptions tab in the user control panel, so we read the threads we're tracking first, and if we have time, we look at the forum for new threads. Otherwise, your thread will be lost in the shuffle...
Hope this helps!
Alex - thanks a lot....for everything you do. You're exactly who I was referencing when I thought of my first donation. Love your work/help here and your work on the Kitchen is the reason I can cook. Sorry I asked something that you'd answered - I thought I read every post in your latest Kitchen thread (actually most of your threads) multiple times. Been looking for this answer for a while.
BTW - my girlfriend works for IBM and we are up in your area quite a bit. Nice place to live.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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..
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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
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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.
I think I've read nearly every thread concerning the various rotation apps, including BsB Tweaks, PLToggle, ChangeScreen et al.
I've tried them all, and I have the RotateScreen utility that comes with the Energy ROMs. The problem I'm having is that with all of them the SpbHome screen will not consistenly return to landscape mode for me. It works when the various rotation apps are configured to turn it, and are active or activated. But once I leave the home screen and come back it either won't go into landscape mode, or it does so momentarily before returning to portrait.
Has anyone figured out the right way to tweak or configure any of these utils so that they consistent do what they are supposed to do with Spb? It could be something about Spb, but I don't think so.
Thanks
what you're looking for is here, next time make a search before opening a thread
jjollyroger said:
what you're looking for is here, next time make a search before opening a thread
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Next time try reading the whole post before you make unneeded comments. Like I said I read nearly every thread, and certainly every one I could find. I do admit I didn't search the General area, I limited my search to Themes and Apps. Searching these boards is not the most straightforward thing to do.
But anyway, in the interest of being courteous, thank you for the tip. I'll read it and see if it helps.
no intent to hurt you, it was just a suggestion, cause is already plenty of unnecessary threads on xda....
I've another one: xda is well linked to search engines , so the first place to look in is here
you have to admit that the answer was not so hidden.. don't take this as an offense again
jjollyroger said:
no intent to hurt you, it was just a suggestion, cause is already plenty of unnecessary threads on xda....
I've another one: xda is well linked to search engines , so the first place to look in is here
you have to admit that the answer was not so hidden.. don't take this as an offense again
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It wasn't hidden no. It was just in a forum that was arguably not the best place for it to be, and one that I didn't search for it in.
I wasn't hurt, just a bit P.O.'d. As I said searching these boards is not always easy or straightforward. I've been around here for more than 5 years and have searched for things about as often as I've posted in that time. That being said I will admit that I have only tried using something like google once or twice to go beyond a particular forum to look for search results. I usually use ixquick as my search engine but I'd imagine it works about the same, I'll try that next time.
One side benefit to "unnecessary threads", like this is that it helps others to find things when they might not be using the exact search terms that the "necessary threads" contain. Like leaving breadcrumbs on a trail, it can help to find your way to your destination.
Thank you again for the tips.
oh, and to help others reading this, the first link that jjollyroger posted, to the cab that mamv put together to resolve this problem seems to work well. I've only used it for a few minutes so far but in that time my Spb Home screen has not failed to come back in landscape orientation after leaving it for other Spb windows, as well as other apps.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ape.apps.forumfiend
So I am the developer of a little known Tapatalk alternative forum reader called Forum Fiend. The app has come a long way since I released it last fall. The reason for my post is that I have noticed XDA is the #3 site accessed through Forum Fiend, so there might be a couple of users around here. Was wondering if people could share their issues with the app or provide feedback on how to make it better. My goal is to provide a fully functional and superior forum browsing experience vs Tapatalk.
Thanks in advance for your input!
Sent from my SM-P600 using Forum Fiend v1.2.5.
Update 20150112 - v1.3.1
Addressed bugs from Google Play error console
Added "Timeline" view and start page option
Added the ability to rename servers on the main screen
Improved server-detection methods
Removed old unused libraries
Forum owners can now collect Google Analytics data through Forum Fiend
Forum owners can now use their own Mobfox ad banners to monitize through Forum Fiend
Update 20141217 - v1.3
All new theme settings screen with real-time preview
Added quick reply on post pages
Brought post pagination stuff out of the menus/actionbar
Can now customize the forum start page
Active Users sidebar can now be turned off for tablets
Inbox/Mail layout updates
Layout updates to sliding drawer menu
Added support for https servers
Now supports Android v2.3 Gingerbread devices
Added Material theme support
Bug fixes
Update 20141128 - v1.2.14
Slight layout changes
Bug fixes
Update 20141123 - v1.2.13.1
Quick bugfix release for Lollipop devices
Update 20141122 - v1.2.13
Increased mail service timer again to further reduce server loads
Slight theme changes
Added a circle border around user avatars
Update 20141111 - v1.2.12
Theme updates for Lollipop devices
Other random slight theme updates
Update 20140930 - v1.2.11
Bug fixes
Update 20140829 - v1.2.10
Increased the mail service timer to reduce loads on servers
Added Meme Maker!
Added user online status indicator to posts
Slight layout rearrangments on posts and topics
Slight layout changes to Chat screen
Added the option to save post pictures to SD card
Update 20140803 - v1.2.9
Addressed bugs from Google Play error console
App now renders smileys
Added support for
Code:
tag
[*]Added a views indicator for topics
[*]Added 'Open in Browser' and 'Share Topic' options for phpBB systems
[*]App now handles file attachments
[/LIST]
[B]Update 20140609 - v1.2.8[/B]
[LIST]
[*]New Theme Options - Forum theme options have been greatly expanded. You can now alter the accent color, background color, text color, forum element color/visibility, forum wallpaper, and turn on/off forum icons/avatars.
[*]App can now be installed/moved to SD card
[*]Kit Kat(+) devices now tint the status and nav bars with forum theme color
[*]Added Favorites list (bookmarks) for forums.
[*]Added more functionality to forums viewed in the Web View (non-tapatalk forums)
[*]Various bug fixes
[/LIST]
[B]Update 20140507 - v1.2.7[/B]
[LIST]
[*]Non-Tapatalk forums can now be added to the app. If you enter a URL that does not work with Tapa, the app will ask if you want to use the forum in a WebView instead.
[*]Added a post preview option to the new posts screen. Also added a select all, and a clear all feature. Find them by pressing the menu button on the new post screen.
[*]Various other bug fixes and layout updates
[/LIST]
[B]Update 20140430 - v1.2.6[/B]
[LIST]
[*]You can now add a direct link on the homescreen to any of your forums. It will behave just like having a stand alone forum app, completely bypassing the forum listing screen. This required the Install Shortcut permission.
[*]Forum elements now have sort of a shaded box theme to them. I think it looks a little nicer, but if people don't like it I can revert back to the old look, or make it optional.
[*]Got rid of the cartoon looking default avatar icon.
[*]Improvements to post link, quote, and other BB code handling.
[*]Forum topics listing now has an infinite scroll (at least until there are no topics left), kind of like the news feeds in Facebook and Twitter apps
[*]The left slideout menu has been rearranged and now contains navigation links such as forum index, subscriptions, unread topics, etc
[*]Added a quick popup tip on how to log in when you enter a forum as a guest
[*]Changed the language on the forum listing screen input box to make it more apparent that a URL is the required input
[*]Forum settings have been moved out of the sliding menu and on to their own screen.
[/LIST]
I just tried it and it's a good start. It needs some work like labelling. Right now, it's just a box with the word "Add". Need a tutorial or something to guide the user into what or how to get into a forum. Right now, I had to guess and put the entire web address in the box. The key at the bottom needs a label. Even something as simple as "login" or something. I'm no IT/Tech expert but I can get around and figure stuff out. Not everyone is tech savvy so they need a little guidance.
Need a way to access favorite forums. XDA, for example, is a large forum. People don't like to scroll through every phone or tablet to find their forum.
Hopefully, this helps a little. I don't want to sound critical but these are things you need to know.
Taptalk is the gold standard right now but I like competition so good luck.
tube517 said:
I just tried it and it's a good start. It needs some work like labelling. Right now, it's just a box with the word "Add". Need a tutorial or something to guide the user into what or how to get into a forum. Right now, I had to guess and put the entire web address in the box. The key at the bottom needs a label. Even something as simple as "login" or something. I'm no IT/Tech expert but I can get around and figure stuff out. Not everyone is tech savvy so they need a little guidance.
Need a way to access favorite forums. XDA, for example, is a large forum. People don't like to scroll through every phone or tablet to find their forum.
Hopefully, this helps a little. I don't want to sound critical but these are things you need to know.
Taptalk is the gold standard right now but I like competition so good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU this is the kind of feedback I'm looking for
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Forum Fiend v1.2.5.
I've been looking for something to replace Tapatalk, and I've looked at FF a few times. Figuring out how to get a forum loaded was confusing. The only way I figured out how to get on to XDA was happening to see it on the Play Store pictures. Logging in was a bit awkward too. When I saw the key at the top, I figured it was a link to purchase a pro version or something.
Most of all though, the look of it kept me from switching over. It feels dated. From the default cartoon avatars before logging in to a forum and icons, to the font and colors, it just feels a little off, although the action bar looks fine. I also feel like the slide out navigation is sort of wasted on the settings menu and active users, neither of which I use much. They might be better suited for faster navigation, search, showing subscribed forums/topics.
The number 1 reason, though, that I am looking for a Tapatalk replacement is the ability to bypass the forum selection page since I only use XDA. If it could detect that only one forum is present and automatically enter that one when opening the app, that would be legit.
Sorry to seem like I was going on and on. I think it has good potential, and some easy-ish fixes can make a world difference.
Jesellers88 said:
I've been looking for something to replace Tapatalk, and I've looked at FF a few times. Figuring out how to get a forum loaded was confusing. The only way I figured out how to get on to XDA was happening to see it on the Play Store pictures. Logging in was a bit awkward too. When I saw the key at the top, I figured it was a link to purchase a pro version or something.
Most of all though, the look of it kept me from switching over. It feels dated. From the default cartoon avatars before logging in to a forum and icons, to the font and colors, it just feels a little off, although the action bar looks fine. I also feel like the slide out navigation is sort of wasted on the settings menu and active users, neither of which I use much. They might be better suited for faster navigation, search, showing subscribed forums/topics.
The number 1 reason, though, that I am looking for a Tapatalk replacement is the ability to bypass the forum selection page since I only use XDA. If it could detect that only one forum is present and automatically enter that one when opening the app, that would be legit.
Sorry to seem like I was going on and on. I think it has good potential, and some easy-ish fixes can make a world difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, this is good feedback. I have read other comments in the market also saying the interface looks dated, but I am not entirely sure what a more modern interface looks like. Do you consider the general look and feel of Tapatalk to be a good example of modern, that I can use as a guide to work off of?
As for automatically going to a specific forum, that would certainly be easy to add. I was thinking of letting users place icons for their specific forums on their homescreen, so they could launch each forum just as they would a stand alone app. They would probably be widgets technically, but could look just like a normal app icon.
bastecklein said:
Thanks, this is good feedback. I have read other comments in the market also saying the interface looks dated, but I am not entirely sure what a more modern interface looks like. Do you consider the general look and feel of Tapatalk to be a good example of modern, that I can use as a guide to work off of?
As for automatically going to a specific forum, that would certainly be easy to add. I was thinking of letting users place icons for their specific forums on their homescreen, so they could launch each forum just as they would a stand alone app. They would probably be widgets technically, but could look just like a normal app icon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A holo interface would be nice keeping in time with current Google design and the majority of apps that currently being published.
Sent from my N800 using Tapatalk
Added to Wishlist and will take a look at it when i get time and hello Kansas City from Springfield,MO
bastecklein said:
...I have noticed XDA is the #3 site accessed through Forum Fiend...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you pleae explain what else is tracked and how?
I appreciate the fact you asked for the voice of community. I guess it's somewhat vital for application's life, if anything else for gaining people's attention. Anyway, first thing I noticed when I installed Forum Fiend (yeah, I installed Forum Fiend now for the first time) was the fact that you need to manually enter forum server's URL. It's not a major PITA, but perhaps it would be nicer if it was done the Tapatalk way. The design is quite up-to-date IMHO, but as Jesellers88 said, default icons are cute, but kind of unprofessional, I'm afraid.
Also, BBCode support is a quite handy feature which Tapatalk does not offer (kudos!), but a full-fledged editor with preview, code and other stuff depending on what each forum allows would be even better, though Tapatalk offers nothing.
To summarize: Forum Fiend is quite a nice application, but above mentioned suggestions (mine and from others in this thread) would bring it to perfection, I suppose. This post was intended to be a constructive critique and in no manner something intended to offend your work. I'm not an application developer or anything alike so this is my two cents .
Seems really interesting. Will certainly keep an eye on this project.
nice work. one issue encountered: app crashes when using "Last Page" function on a 1 page post. probably want to handle that better.
rolling56 said:
Added to Wishlist and will take a look at it when i get time and hello Kansas City from Springfield,MO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks!
Sent from my SM-P600 using Forum Fiend v1.2.6.
defim said:
Can you pleae explain what else is tracked and how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sure, I use Google Analytics to track page views, and also I track an event each time a server connection is made (server URL only, no other information is tracked).
I also send server connection information (again, URL only) to a database at my website, so that in the future I can implement a "most popular" forums section.
I see someone saw my comment.
Thank you thank you thank you. I can't stand the Tapatalk app. You have my thanks and full support!
moorkai said:
I appreciate the fact you asked for the voice of community. I guess it's somewhat vital for application's life, if anything else for gaining people's attention. Anyway, first thing I noticed when I installed Forum Fiend (yeah, I installed Forum Fiend now for the first time) was the fact that you need to manually enter forum server's URL. It's not a major PITA, but perhaps it would be nicer if it was done the Tapatalk way. The design is quite up-to-date IMHO, but as Jesellers88 said, default icons are cute, but kind of unprofessional, I'm afraid.
Also, BBCode support is a quite handy feature which Tapatalk does not offer (kudos!), but a full-fledged editor with preview, code and other stuff depending on what each forum allows would be even better, though Tapatalk offers nothing.
To summarize: Forum Fiend is quite a nice application, but above mentioned suggestions (mine and from others in this thread) would bring it to perfection, I suppose. This post was intended to be a constructive critique and in no manner something intended to offend your work. I'm not an application developer or anything alike so this is my two cents .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. A preview mode for the BBCode editor would certainly be easy to accomplish, so I will probably be adding that in there.
The primary reason I do not have a forum listing/browsing option like Tapa, is that I do not have access to Tapa's massive forum database (at least, not that I know of). I agree that it sucks having to manually type in the server address though. To try to somewhat get around this, I have been logging which servers are being accessed from the app (server address only, no personal info), and plan on adding a "most popular servers" list, or some other way to browse. It is the best I can come up with for the time being though :-/ If anybody has suggestions on better ways to implement this though, I am open to any ideas!
AbhishekS said:
Seems really interesting. Will certainly keep an eye on this project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, with time and work I hope to be able to rival or surpass the quality of the official app.
natezire71 said:
I see someone saw my comment.
Thank you thank you thank you. I can't stand the Tapatalk app. You have my thanks and full support!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. The reason I started this project, and the reason I lost faith in Tapatalk, is because I had previously bought their "pro" app. Then they downgraded it to a free app and released another paid pro version. I wanted something that works without getting nickeled and dimed!
bastecklein said:
Thanks. The reason I started this project, and the reason I lost faith in Tapatalk, is because I had previously bought their "pro" app. Then they downgraded it to a free app and released another paid pro version. I wanted something that works without getting nickeled and dimed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mind paying if it works. Tapatalk is awful.
skokielad said:
nice work. one issue encountered: app crashes when using "Last Page" function on a 1 page post. probably want to handle that better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oops, agreed!
Definitely need some sort of tutorial. Like how do I go about subscribing to a thread?
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk