Database Info

Non-market .apk file database proposal

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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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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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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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.

New standard of xda-file uploading/downloading ~ READ

THIS WOULD BE A FREE SERVICE, OFFERED TO ALL XDA-MEMBERS
alright, while sitting in the xda IRC somebody complained about everyone using rapidsahre links, them dying, and the need for a new XDA posting service.
this coupled with the completely empty XDA ftp, we got to talking. Chainfire suggested using usenet for the roms/files/whatever. he said he attempted to get it more widely used years ago, but nobody really cared.
now, my thought is i setup a webUI frontend for the xda usenet group, and make it alot like the current xda-ftp stucture is. simple uploading, simple downloading. no real knowedlge of usenet needed to do it, and the files would be good for at least a year on the servers.
maybe even write a FTP frontend for the group.
what are your guy's thoughts on this. no download limits, no YOU HAVE TO WAIT 9HOURS TO DOWNLOAD ANOTHER ROM, no YOURE ALREADY DOWNLOADING A FILE LOLWAIT, no random deletions of files, uncensored content uploading(you can figure what that means), and super-fast downloading of ROMs, with a que.
we need your thoughts on this project.
edit:
usenet is a pay service, however the concept of this is to provide a free frontend for the usenet posts to the xda community. IT WILL BE FREE.
IT WILL BE FREE

I'm pdbogen, and I approve of this message.

/me is in favor and would love to help make this happen somehow.
posting in an epic thread

i believe this is a genius plan. I SHALL HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!

I'm all for faster file transfers and less "LOL YOU BETTER WAIT BECAUSE YOU'RE A NOOB" messages.
Who would be supplying the servers? And how much would it cost to set up?

between me and turbzy, we have enough resources/servers to handle a good 3 mirrors of the setup, so we're good on the money/servers.
we just have to write the webinterface and get people to use it.

if you and the freenode crew whip up something good and badass, i will aggressively promote it on my heavily-trafficked websites
(bumping thread)

very nice idea indeed, just what xda was missing =]

This sounds awesome, I say go for it!

me and turbzy will start work on this as soon as we get a few uploaders/chefs willing to use the new system in place of rapidshare.
it's toomuch work to just write and then have wasted because nobody uses it.
the idea is, we're going to maybe write a built in FTP server. so as far as uploading is concerned to upload a file you'll
a) go to the site, and be presented with a upload form. just select the zip/rar and press upload. it'll upload to the multiple backend servers, and give you a direct link. OR possible upload it to a few other options, im thinking maybe add a rapidshare+mediafire+multiple FTP mirrors.
or b) connect to our custom FTP server and upload the file that way. after the file is completed, it will upload it to the other servers and give you the direct url. i'll make a more simplistic description later.
all in all, everyone i've talked ot about the idea thinks its genius. help us get people on board=

oh also, i'm thinking there may be a registration system needed for uploading. it's unfortunate we couldnt just sync it with the XDA login system, but it'll be needed to post verified files. it'd be better for file organization and whatnot.
then again, we may be able to sync with the XDA userdatabase if it gets big enough.

cerjam said:
oh also, i'm thinking there may be a registration system needed for uploading. it's unfortunate we couldnt just sync it with the XDA login system, but it'll be needed to post verified files. it'd be better for file organization and whatnot.
then again, we may be able to sync with the XDA userdatabase if it gets big enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt Flar and company would let you touch the user database. However, maybe they could host the front-end on their servers? For example: fileshare.xda-developers.com
That would then interact with all your middleman servers, etc etc.
So the XDA server would just be the front-end, but it would redirect the file to your servers... is this possible?
Or even better, have XDA auth the user (via login to the forums) and then have it redirect to your server with some fun authing stuff. Then you guys don't need the database, but it would still be secure.

yaaaap. that was my idea, just attempt login. much simpler and lord knows precious xda administration wouldnt dare have their hands on a project meant to..actually maintain the files produced by the community!
they won't help us. even if they offered, i think running them seperate from this site is better and safer.

bump because i actually care about the project.

just a thought and i didnt see it covered
how will the virus scanning be implemnted. will you put a system in place at you end so its get scanned after uploadthen accepted or will you be asking the uploaders to scan them.
just a note because im pretty sure the current FTP scans files and lets you know whether the threaten. but if you leave it multiple uploaders then maybe well get ton of viruses littering the database

i am unsure as to how to handle that. thats why im thinking a user database would be useful, somehow mark the legit uploads with a key of some sort. i'll think about that, but im sure we can handle that.

from what ive seen clamav is pretty easy to tack on to whatever system youre using
edit: as for user database integration, all we'd need xda to do is toss a small api on their server that lets us verify accounts and return a userid that we can associate posts with. we wouldn't need actual access to the database

all im saying is yes you can verify the user who uploads the stuff
but we can verify the stuff
there was a problem a while back with ppl adding cracked apps to the ftp and viruses aswell

i don't think we care about cracked apps. thats somewhat the point.

cerjam said:
i don't think we care about cracked apps. thats somewhat the point.
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well I think you should. This isn't a warez site, nor should it be affiliated to anything to do with it.
It sounds more to me like you're trying to set up a new warez service based on the good name of xda-devs!

Time to change things up

One of the problems I have with today's texting apps is that they are all essentially the same. Sure emoticons and group conversations are fun, but there is limited flexibility with what you can and can not do. For example, why can't we customize text layouts, embed youtube videos into our conversations, etc.
I came up with a solution by creating a basic, elementary texting app without any of the perks. What I want to do is get as much feed back as possible to build out the texting app that people want to use. Once users see that we take their ideas and implement them into the app, they will be more excited to share it with their friends.
So if anyone is interested in creating their own app, download Skoop Messenger in google play and let me know what you think. Check out the Skoop Messenger Facebook page for details.

Not sure I understand what you are proposing
that isn't already handled by email and/or IM?

looks a lot like the other sms/text apps out there already. not sure whats different.

There's a very good reason that they're all essentially the same and that's because of the age old saying -
If it's not broke, don't fix it!
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Click to collapse
With generic things like texting, the majority of people don't like change. Texting on phones is nice and simple and if too many features are added, texting will become much harder work than it needs to be.
Sent from Sony Xperia S using XDA Premium
Join my threads here and here.
Check out this [GUIDE] How to be a New User (and not a noob)

I would like to see a talk to text app that actually works good, with the option to talk letters instead of words, another option would be like Xbox 360 where you can leave a voice message or video message, all in the same app, Maybe a way to customize and use a graphic signature instead of a text signature. Changing font of texts or colors, stuff like that I can see being used. Maybe having some music in the background when you are reading or have a text message open. A translater built in to the app, so if someone sends you a message in Chinese, you can press a button and the text then converts in english. Just throwing some ideas out there.
I don't buy into that " if it a broke dont fix it" Where would we be today if we did not constantly look to improve things? Probably in a cave beating each other over the heads with clubs and worshipping fire. This thread was started becuase someone asked for ideas on improving text messaging and all the responses have been anti-productive. Use your imagination people.

Dad D O said:
I don't buy into that " if it a broke dont fix it" Where would we be today if we did not constantly look to improve things? Probably in a cave beating each other over the heads with clubs and worshipping fire. This thread was started becuase someone asked for ideas on improving text messaging and all the responses have been anti-productive. Use your imagination people.
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Click to collapse
Mine wasn't anti-productive. It was truthful.
Off-topic - Even if we were still cave people, would that really be a problem? Of course not, because we'd be used to that. Yeah, mankind strides to improve things, but at lot of the time, the situation with this thread included, it's not needed.
Sent from Sony Xperia S using XDA Premium
Join my threads here and here.
Check out this [GUIDE] How to be a New User (and not a noob)

Relax guys.
I have to agree with both. If it's not broken in any way, why fix it - it might cause problems there weren't there in the first place. The main reason something is popiular is because it works. But then again, there's always room for improvement/innovation, right? I mean, that's how we got our devices now.
On topic: i can't find the app.
Sorry for butting in. It's just my opinion.

KidCarter93 said:
Mine wasn't anti-productive. It was truthful.
Off-topic - Even if we were still cave people, would that really be a problem? Of course not, because we'd be used to that. Yeah, mankind strides to improve things, but at lot of the time, the situation with this thread included, it's not needed.
Sent from Sony Xperia S using XDA Premium
Join my threads here and here.
Check out this [GUIDE] How to be a New User (and not a noob)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not in our nature to be satisfied with something just because it works, lol. Did not meen to take this thread in a different direction just wanted see some creativity. :angel:

[Q] How to monetize free desktop applications

Hi.
Does anyone knows which are the advertising companies that provide ads for Windows / Linux applications ?
I'm sure that there must be many because there are freeware programs that show ads. Others offer 3rd party software to be installed, so they must be making some money to do it.
I googled for it but I failed to find an answer.
Thank you all.

umm... im not really sure what your asking or how it relates to the HTC ONE?
you know these are the HTC ONE forums?

Oh, I'm so sorry.
I wanted to post to General Discussion -> Q&A.
How can I move this thread to there?
Thank you.
BigNate said:
umm... im not really sure what your asking or how it relates to the HTC ONE?
you know these are the HTC ONE forums?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ask one of the mods to move it, they should be able too move it for you.

I'll answer you question anyway. Try going here
http://www.airpush.com/
http://www.google.com/ads/mobile/
http://www.google.com/ads/admob/

temple plinebs
Hi.
Thank you for replying but I don't want to monetize free mobile applications. I want to monetize free desktop applications (for Windows and Linux).
Regards.
Riyal said:
I'll answer you question anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

marcioandreyoliveira said:
Hi.
Thank you for replying but I don't want to monetize free mobile applications. I want to monetize free desktop applications (for Windows and Linux).
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I could find in a Google Search
Code:
http://nativex.com/monetize/desktop/
Try it and reply

desktop app developer
marcioandreyoliveira said:
Hi.
Does anyone knows which are the advertising companies that provide ads for Windows / Linux applications ?
I'm sure that there must be many because there are freeware programs that show ads. Others offer 3rd party software to be installed, so they must be making some money to do it.
I googled for it but I failed to find an answer.
Thank you all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi.
as desktop(windows 8 , osx) app developers, I've the same prob with yours.
Do you have figured it out?
if yes, can you send me a message in facebook, searching my name.
thank you.

desktopad said:
hi.
as desktop(windows 8 , osx) app developers, I've the same prob with yours.
Do you have figured it out?
if yes, can you send me a message in facebook, searching my name.
thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest It is almost not worth the trouble. Most people only see the ads while installing and you have to give them the option to not install any add ons. Mix in that most virus detectors will prevent any program that installs anything else as this is considered a virus.

There is one named DesktopAd
Since your Windows app is free, I guess you have many users on it. Then you can add in-app advertising to get revenue. There are many advertising platforms which provide this kind of service. You can find the most suitable one. For Windows desktop apps, I recommend DesktopAd's ads. You just need to add their ad SDK and don't need to do many thing, you will get paid through ad clicks every month.

Desktopad.com is a good choice.
Free desktop apps are more popular. So you get relatively advantages which help you get more income by in-app ads. As you know, almost all the apps have ads in it, you can select one ad payment method. As I know, CPC is good one. Many app users will click the ads unintentionally or he has interest in the ads. But it will have a result, you can get income by every ad click. So I would like to suggest you try to search desktopad.com.

Hey everyone, Old post.
But If anyone need help in monetizing their windows or mac software. I can help with that.
Skype - imhimmi

Need Help Editing APK of a Game

Hey all. I'm new here. I hope to be around a bit more! This MAY be the wrong forum, so I'm sorry if it is. I play a game, Madden NFL Mobile. I have a bot for it, and to explain it in simple terms, it basically refreshes the auction house on a certain filter so if somebody posts a player for very cheap my bot can get it and I can resell it to make coins. Anyway, I've used GameGuardian to speed it up, so that the bot can be faster. EA, the creator, somehow fixed this, so now if you try to use GameGuardian, after a few hours you will get banned. I know there is a way to fix this by editing the APK of the app, as people have done it. If anybody could fix this for me, I will pay you $50. Thanks.
-Ben

homelandefense said:
Hey all. I'm new here. I hope to be around a bit more! This MAY be the wrong forum, so I'm sorry if it is. I play a game, Madden NFL Mobile. I have a bot for it, and to explain it in simple terms, it basically refreshes the auction house on a certain filter so if somebody posts a player for very cheap my bot can get it and I can resell it to make coins. Anyway, I've used GameGuardian to speed it up, so that the bot can be faster. EA, the creator, somehow fixed this, so now if you try to use GameGuardian, after a few hours you will get banned. I know there is a way to fix this by editing the APK of the app, as people have done it. If anybody could fix this for me, I will pay you $50. Thanks.
-Ben
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Click to collapse
I'm sorry but apks like game guardian are warez and can not be discussed on xda
Thread closed
Sawdoctor