[Q] Should I feel bad? - General Questions and Answers

Here is a stupid question, out of the blue. I have flashed between seven to ten different ICS roms since I rooted my Sensation 4g a few months ago, and I am currently running Virtuous Inquisition 4.02 which has Nova launcher, but I am still running GoLauncher as my default home. Should I feel guilty, because I kind of do, and I haven't even used Nova. Am I missing out on a better experience by using Go, or is it perfectly acceptable to use a different launcher. Sorry in advance for such a stoopid (spelled incorrectly on purpose) question. Thanks.

Um, why not try Nova and see how you like it? If you have ICS you should use an ICS launcher, although IMO Apex is better than Nova.

Mama Luigi said:
Um, why not try Nova and see how you like it? If you have ICS you should use an ICS launcher, although IMO Apex is better than Nova.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'll have to give both a test drive.

Related

Launcher Pro, LAGGY?! ROOTED

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone else was having trouble with other launchers? I got Launcher Pro, and froze sense and sense desktop in Titanium. Phone is much laggier than with just sense going. I thought by freezing sense, the phone should be better? Is there any other part of sense that needs freezing?
Matt
mrg02d said:
Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone else was having trouble with other launchers? I got Launcher Pro, and froze sense and sense desktop in Titanium. Phone is much laggier than with just sense going. I thought by freezing sense, the phone should be better? Is there any other part of sense that needs freezing?
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never thought of freezing sense when using LP. In my experience you just leave the root OS there and use LP as a replacement launcher. I never "froze" MIUI when I had that and was laggy, I just used LP as a launcher addition.
Hmmm....It just seems so much worse than Sense 3.0. It seems to stutter an awful lot and whatnot. I tried with and without freezing.
Matt
It seems like the experience with launchers is pretty random. Some people say their favorite launcher runs great, while someone else will say the exact opposite. My advice: try a different launcher. It shouldn't be laggy but who knows.
Got SPB Shell 3d, ad launcher ex, launcher pro plus, none of them lag to be honest m8, not sure why yours is? Maybe it's a widget based ting?
dladz said:
Got SPB Shell 3d, ad launcher ex, launcher pro plus, none of them lag to be honest m8, not sure why yours is? Maybe it's a widget based ting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, very odd! Everyone seems to say Sense 3.0 is laggy and complains of so many problems. I havent seen ANY of these laggy problems at all.
Oh well...
Matt
sorry to resurrect, but I was about to start a new thread and this one popped up in the search...
I don't know what it is about LP, but I can't get it to run smooth on this phone - never problems with any previous, and I've owned a LOT. It's gotta be a memory management issue, b/c if I load up CM7, it runs like butter (I've never tried any other ROMs, just rooted stock and CM7). It's mainly in the app drawer - opening/closing stutters/jerks like crazy, then moving through the app drawer is jerky too. The homescreen seems to run normal, however. It's very odd. Wish I could figure it out... I like running rooted stock for the lack of bugs (though CM7 alpha is pretty darn good), but prefer LP as a launcher.
go launcher is much smoother than launcher pro
Kurisu87 said:
go launcher is much smoother than launcher pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, at least on this phone, and ADW runs great as well... it's just odd to me that the Sensation is the only phone I've ever had this issue with (and some others, too, it seems). I've had a Thunderbolt, Inc2, Inc, DX, DX2, and D1, and LP was perfect on all of them.
jntdroid said:
sorry to resurrect, but I was about to start a new thread and this one popped up in the search...
I don't know what it is about LP, but I can't get it to run smooth on this phone - never problems with any previous, and I've owned a LOT. It's gotta be a memory management issue, b/c if I load up CM7, it runs like butter (I've never tried any other ROMs, just rooted stock and CM7). It's mainly in the app drawer - opening/closing stutters/jerks like crazy, then moving through the app drawer is jerky too. The homescreen seems to run normal, however. It's very odd. Wish I could figure it out... I like running rooted stock for the lack of bugs (though CM7 alpha is pretty darn good), but prefer LP as a launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I'm running stock with Launcher Pro and its just not as smooth as say my MyTouch 4G, especially the app drawer.
And let me take this opportunity to ask: why is this phone so freaking laggy? I it should not lag because the hardware is there, but how could HTC release software that is so laggy? I notice especially that when scrolling up and down menus it stutters a lot. This really pisses me off. I'll root eventually and I know it will unleash the true power of this phone, but really how could HTC let this pass?

Resolve for ICS displeasure

Looks like the aftermarket has been working hard on Android 4.0 compatibility because I was able to install both the ADWLauncher EX and LauncherPro Plus launchers on my ICS phone and they work fine. I chose to stay with ADWLauncher EX because of looking much more like the original ICS UI and allowing the same folder creation as in ICS. And the dock looks much the same. The only drawback is the lack of the search bar at the top. I prefer it.
Usability wise, these launchers completely smooth out ICS to buttery goodness. ADWLauncher EX allows for scrolling speed adjustment that makes a quick flick a pleasurable experience, no lag to be suffered anywhere. Both launchers bring back the more desired widget choosing function of previous Androids...tap & hold on homescreen.
It's really pleasing now. You get the functional goodness of ICS (excellent multitasker, softkeys and all that ICS brings performance-wise without the troubling UI performance issues.
Oh, and you get to use the OEM scrollable widgets.
Oh dear... And now you're back to liking ICS. You're quite impulsive with your opinions, what will it be tomorrow?
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
MartyLK said:
Looks like the aftermarket has been working hard on Android 4.0 compatibility because I was able to install both the ADWLauncher EX and LauncherPro Plus launchers on my ICS phone and they work fine. I chose to stay with ADWLauncher EX because of looking much more like the original ICS UI and allowing the same folder creation as in ICS. And the dock looks much the same. The only drawback is the lack of the search bar at the top. I prefer it.
Usability wise, these launchers completely smooth out ICS to buttery goodness. ADWLauncher EX allows for scrolling speed adjustment that makes a quick flick a pleasurable experience, no lag to be suffered anywhere. Both launchers bring back the more desired widget choosing function of previous Androids...tap & hold on homescreen.
It's really pleasing now. You get the functional goodness of ICS (excellent multitasker, softkeys and all that ICS brings performance-wise without the troubling UI performance issues.
Oh, and you get to use the OEM scrollable widgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a great setup on an Evo I modded for someone with Launcher Pro skinned to look exactly like ICS, on a CM7 ROM with Theme Chooser set to an ICS theme. It looks and feels amazing.
I don't think I will ever use stock launcher on an aosp device, it's so funny how 3rd party launcher guys make it so much smoother than google does.
ICS as an OS, although I like it, is starting a trend I don't like as "user friendly" to the point where things are harder to deal with. I actually prefer GB style widget adding instead of the HC sort and ICS sort where you swype the dock to get to the widgets. Other things like that. I don't know, maybe I just need to get used to it.
This should go in your other thread about ICS being a letdown, rather than starting a new one. Would you raise that for a mod please?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Archer said:
This should go in your other thread about ICS being a letdown, rather than starting a new one. Would you raise that for a mod please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a look at that thread...I won't spoil it for you, go take a look.
MartyLK said:
Have a look at that thread...I won't spoil it for you, go take a look.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see it was quite rightly closed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Archer said:
What I meant was that you should not have started this thread. Please ask a mod to merge them or close this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow...really? You didn't see that the other thread was closed??
Apologies for seeming insensitive.
Duhh..i thought the biggest new thing about ICS would have been the ability to have a decent experience out of the box, knowing that i can change the launcher doesn't impress me much. Tbh 2.3 had already nearly all of the functions i needed, what i really wanted was a smoother and simplified ui, with less workarounds to be used, and at the end of the day it doesn't seems like ICS is really bringing that stuff to the user. Just my 2 cents.
vnvman said:
Duhh..i thought the biggest new thing about ICS would have been the ability to have a decent experience out of the box, knowing that i can change the launcher doesn't impress me much. Tbh 2.3 had already nearly all of the functions i needed, what i really wanted was a smoother and simplified ui, with less workarounds to be used, and at the end of the day it doesn't seems like ICS is really bringing that stuff to the user. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tend to agree, I like 2.3 with a custom launcher over 4.x with stock launcher any day.
I just did a clean install of Android 4.0.3 on my HD2 and the difference is night and day. It is sublime. So buttery smooth and fast. The Galaxy Nexus is now back on the table and a wanted piece of hardware.
MartyLK said:
I just did a clean install of Android 4.0.3 on my HD2 and the difference is night and day. It is sublime. So buttery smooth and fast. The Galaxy Nexus is now back on the table and a wanted piece of hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it compare well to the ui smoothness of wp7 as not having ics myself I am curious?
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
mistermentality said:
Does it compare well to the ui smoothness of wp7 as not having ics myself I am curious?
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not with the stock UI. It approaches iPhone smooth, but not WP7 smooth. But I am using ADW EX launcher and with that, it is WP7 smooth. I was using ADW on 4.0.2 and it made ICS very usable. But with 4.0.3, the difference is spectacular, to put it modestly.
Wish we could get this for Samsung Tab 10.1's already.
I'm liking the stock launcher. My Nexus runs like a champ.
Sent from my Nexus S
vetvito said:
I'm liking the stock launcher. My Nexus runs like a champ.
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the stock launcher is really, really good. The best stock launcher of any of the Nexus'. I just find more convenience with ADW and it looks almost exactly the same...configured the right way.
I'm a huge fan of how smooth ICS is, regardless of the launcher. I've not messed around with Honeycomb too much, so going from Gingerbread to ICS is a huge jump for me in terms of appearance and performance.
MartyLK said:
Not with the stock UI. It approaches iPhone smooth, but not WP7 smooth. But I am using ADW EX launcher and with that, it is WP7 smooth. I was using ADW on 4.0.2 and it made ICS very usable. But with 4.0.3, the difference is spectacular, to put it modestly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not because of changes in adw then? Would love to know what they changed to make the difference but glad they did it.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
mistermentality said:
Its not because of changes in adw then? Would love to know what they changed to make the difference but glad they did it.
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It dawns on me that the quality and pleasure I'm experiencing now could be something entirely to do with Tytung's efforts with his custom ROM rather than a reality of the 4.0.3 OEM.
ADW is exactly the same between the two version. I can't see them making any changes from one to the next in such a short period of time. Not saying it's impossible, just saying unlikely. With this custom ROM, I actually updated to 4.0.3 initially rather than do a clean install. Even with an update 4.0.3 was noticeably smoother. Only until I did a clean install did I experience the speed and buttery smoothness of 4.0.3. It is a dramatic difference.
Well,you can even try GoLauncher on ICS and it'll be buttery smooth too,whereas in Gingerbread it's nowhere near the other launchers in terms of smoothness(Unless you own a 1.6GHz Galaxy S II ).Hardware acceleration does good after all.And some under-the-hood improvements in 4.0.3 are what makes it as good.Wait for some proper roms and you'll see(Not that Tytung's rom or any other ICS rom isn't good,but none of them is final,rather something like being in beta phase).
MartyLK said:
It dawns on me that the quality and pleasure I'm experiencing now could be something entirely to do with Tytung's efforts with his custom ROM rather than a reality of the 4.0.3 OEM.
ADW is exactly the same between the two version. I can't see them making any changes from one to the next in such a short period of time. Not saying it's impossible, just saying unlikely. With this custom ROM, I actually updated to 4.0.3 initially rather than do a clean install. Even with an update 4.0.3 was noticeably smoother. Only until I did a clean install did I experience the speed and buttery smoothness of 4.0.3. It is a dramatic difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So maybe tytung somehows trims down ics to remove problem issues?
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk

Do you like/use go launcher ex?

I'm too scared to root and I wouldn't know the first place to start to mod my SGS2 Skyrocket, so I looked into some themes via google play.
Go Launcher EX is pretty sweet IMO... I won't pay for themes obviously, but they have a few really cool themes for lock screen and the home screen.
Im using the sms theme, the home theme, and lock theme.
I'm pretty happy with the way it works on ICS (stock) on my skyrocket.
So, do you like/use go launcher ex?
shawnj0 said:
I'm too scared to root and I wouldn't know the first place to start to mod my SGS2 Skyrocket, so I looked into some themes via google play.
Go Launcher EX is pretty sweet IMO... I won't pay for themes obviously, but they have a few really cool themes for lock screen and the home screen.
Im using the sms theme, the home theme, and lock theme.
I'm pretty happy with the way it works on ICS (stock) on my skyrocket.
So, do you like/use go launcher ex?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it, but it drained my battery more quickly that other launchers. I'm using ADW EX, and I like it.
Don't be afraid to root, and install a rom. I would spend a good while reading the stickies, and tutorials before doing anything. If you have questions, just ask.
I use Go Launcher Ex as my primary launcher on both my Nook Tablet and my Skyrocket (As well as Go SMS for SMS) and I love it. There are a lot of themes that are available for free, though I usually modify the themes (using the preferences) to use parts of different themes.
I used to use Go Launcher, and it was pretty good, but now I've moved on to bigger and better things (I'm a Nova Prime user right now.) If you're looking for a good lockscreen, I can't recommend anything other than Widgetlocker. By far the best lockscreen I've found yet. I think it's like, 99 cents in the Play Store, but it's well worth it!
RAM hog
Sent from my SGH-I727 using xda premium
I seriously dislike Go Launcher. It's a resource hog, it's laggy, and it's not nearly as robust as Apex or the S3 launcher.
Seriously, just root.. follow all the instructions carefully and everything should be fine.
Do these things, in this order:
1) root
2) flash CWM Touch 6.0.1.0 (available here)
3) make a nanbackup
4) flash CM9 Chimera v2.2 (available here)
5) install Apex launcher
6) profit greatly
I use to use Go Launcher the first weeks I was using my phone then after testing out other launchers I stuck with Apex, another good one is Nova. Since I use CM9/AOKP I just use their themes and make it fancy looking :silly:
Using go launcher and I think it's fine, I found the organization of it was better than other launchers I tried.
I would never use go launcher on ics. Apex is far better. Or nova
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah I un installed the applications related to the go launcher and needless to say I saved about 3-400 MB of ram. Needless to say I won't bother using that again.
I'm not quite comfortable rooting just yet. Maybe when I get bored of the phone as I typically get with any phone.
Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk 2
shawnj0 said:
Yeah I un installed the applications related to the go launcher and needless to say I saved about 3-400 MB of ram. Needless to say I won't bother using that again.
I'm not quite comfortable rooting just yet. Maybe when I get bored of the phone as I typically get with any phone.
Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either way, I would still suggest either Nova or Apex. If you're not willing to pay money, I'd go with Apex, as it'll have a couple more free features that you're used to from Go Launcher, but if you're okay dropping a few bucks on a launcher for your phone, both Apex and Nova are pretty much equal. I just like the look of the icon and the name of Nove Launcher, so that's why I went with it over Apex.
enterflux said:
Either way, I would still suggest either Nova or Apex. If you're not willing to pay money, I'd go with Apex, as it'll have a couple more free features that you're used to from Go Launcher, but if you're okay dropping a few bucks on a launcher for your phone, both Apex and Nova are pretty much equal. I just like the look of the icon and the name of Nove Launcher, so that's why I went with it over Apex.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to root to get those launchers right?
Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk 2
shawnj0 said:
I have to root to get those launchers right?
Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Root helps them integrate a little bit better, but they're just ICS launchers.
enterflux said:
Nope. Root helps them integrate a little bit better, but they're just ICS launchers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without root, you can't install widgets straight from the app drawer in Apex.
Or lots of other neat tricks.
I tried GO for about a week after getting my phone. As others have said, it's a RAM hog and a battery-drainer. I've also tried 360 Launcher, and am not a big fan of it for similar reasons. Apex Pro is my launcher of choice, as it's versatile, not very memory-intensive, and not much of a battery drain at all. I had intended to try Nova, but Apex has just been so good for me that I never saw a need to.
aycockonxion said:
Without root, you can't install widgets straight from the app drawer in Apex.
Or lots of other neat tricks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, then I guess he should go with Nova, as I haven't had any problems with it without root
I went with apex. I haven't checked how much memory it's using but I do enjoy their free themes. I'm not one for widgets yet, I'm still an android noob, but I am definitely loving my s2. Makes me wonder if I should've gotten the s3. But for the headache and money and effort to get the s3, its not worth it to me.
The s2 is quite the phone. Android customization ability over apple proprietary operating systems any day, IMO.
Sorry that was OT. However, I like apex. Currently using the Plate Theme 4 with a stolen blue background from another theme. It's lovely!
Based on this thread, I've looked at both Nova and Apex (in the market, not on my phone). Both look great, though I'm not sure that I like the idea of paying for unread notifications...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against it; just seems a bit odd to me. That's one of the features that I would use most. I can't see any of the other paid features that would be a ton of use to me (provided I could replace icons on either free version, Go has some good themes, but the theme builder being partially in Chinese with no way to change it is a huge turn off).
Go does have one feature I really like that Apex and Nova lack and that is the ability to resize homescreen icons, not just in the dock. Not as important on my Skyrocket, but would be nice to have on my wife's Note since the icons look too small to me on that large screen. But, like others mentioned, it is a resource hog plus runs in the background even when it is not the default launcher (I mean, WTF?!), but the kicker is it cannot use icon packs that I have purchased in the past which work on ADW, Apex, and Nova.
shawnj0 said:
I went with apex. I haven't checked how much memory it's using but I do enjoy their free themes. I'm not one for widgets yet, I'm still an android noob, but I am definitely loving my s2. Makes me wonder if I should've gotten the s3. But for the headache and money and effort to get the s3, its not worth it to me.
The s2 is quite the phone. Android customization ability over apple proprietary operating systems any day, IMO.
Sorry that was OT. However, I like apex. Currently using the Plate Theme 4 with a stolen blue background from another theme. It's lovely!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about Apex, but I know Nova can use Go Launcher themes. That opens up a lot more customization for you.
liquidzoo said:
Based on this thread, I've looked at both Nova and Apex (in the market, not on my phone). Both look great, though I'm not sure that I like the idea of paying for unread notifications...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against it; just seems a bit odd to me. That's one of the features that I would use most. I can't see any of the other paid features that would be a ton of use to me (provided I could replace icons on either free version, Go has some good themes, but the theme builder being partially in Chinese with no way to change it is a huge turn off).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have just accepted having to pay for quality apps that are basically system parts. I've payed for PowerAmp, Nova Prime, and Widget Locker and I find it extremely worth it. They're all quality apps that run smooth and integrate perfectly. Now, for random other apps, I'm a total cheap-skate and I hate paying for anything.

[Q] Need Help With Different Launchers

Hi,
I have an Epic 4G Touch and I have rooted it and I know there are a bunch of launchers out there. And if it wasn't for the fact that I am a "noob" I would ask this under the ROM I'm interested in...but seeing as I can't here I go...
I know there are many many many launchers and I was wondering which one is the best? And if TWLauncher is the same as the stock launcher that came with the phone before rooting it?
Thanks in advance
stephb89 said:
Hi,
I have an Epic 4G Touch and I have rooted it and I know there are a bunch of launchers out there. And if it wasn't for the fact that I am a "noob" I would ask this under the ROM I'm interested in...but seeing as I can't here I go...
I know there are many many many launchers and I was wondering which one is the best? And if TWLauncher is the same as the stock launcher that came with the phone before rooting it?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend APEX Launcher, its great!
I recommend APEX Launcher, its great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 :good:
I've been using Apex launcher since I started using ICS on my SGS and I also recommend it.
Use apex
Go launcher
I suggest either Apex or Nova launcher prime.
I bought Nova Launcher prime and was using that with my HTC amaze and One x until I switched to my galaxy s3 and started using wicked sensations ROM which employs Apex and I am happy with it.
I hated Go Launcher. It seemed like it had a ton of custom stuff like the go sms, go store, widgets, etc but it really just got in the way for me personally.
Foreverme89 said:
I suggest either Apex or Nova launcher prime.
I bought Nova Launcher prime and was using that with my HTC amaze and One x until I switched to my galaxy s3 and started using wicked sensations ROM which employs Apex and I am happy with it.
I hated Go Launcher. It seemed like it had a ton of custom stuff like the go sms, go store, widgets, etc but it really just got in the way for me personally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am very happy with Nova Launcher prime. I like the customizable gestures it has, as well as the effects for screen transition. Another nice feature is the ability to put swipe gestures on dock bar apps. On my phone, if I tap the phone icon, it opens up the dialpad. If I swipe it, it brings up my frequent contacts. It's pretty awesome.
I use Nova Launcher Prime unless I am using a CyanogenMod ROM in which case I typically use Trebuchet. Nova is fast and feature rich and very easy to customize. The only downside to Nova is that you must be using Android 4.0 or better so no Gingerbread support.
ItzCrooK2UxD said:
I use Nova Launcher Prime unless I am using a CyanogenMod ROM in which case I typically use Trebuchet. Nova is fast and feature rich and very easy to customize. The only downside to Nova is that you must be using Android 4.0 or better so no Gingerbread support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogenmod does exist in two 4.0+ flavors though. There is CM9 which is Ice Cream Sandwich(ICS/4.0.x) based. There is also CM10 which is Jelly Bean(JB/4.1.x) based.
i used launcher 360, but some time later i use only apex launcher :good: very good launcher and configurable

What Are Some Things I Can Do?

Well, I've flashed many ROMs and kernels and what not, but I'm beginning to get bored the regular stock look. I've tried some times but there's always something wrong or weird that bugs me. Is there anything out there I can do to get my phone looking real nice and still have that great oerformance?
STVERDI said:
Well, I've flashed many ROMs and kernels and what not, but I'm beginning to get bored the regular stock look. I've tried some times but there's always something wrong or weird that bugs me. Is there anything out there I can do to get my phone looking real nice and still have that great oerformance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try different launchers. Popular ones are Nova, Apex, SPB Shell, TSF Shell. You'll be able to customize a lot more things than standard launchers like Touchwiz or Trebuchet.
Nova is a damn good launcher. Also, I believe you can use some of the themes in the theme forum even in stock rooted.
mustbepbs said:
Try different launchers. Popular ones are Nova, Apex, SPB Shell, TSF Shell. You'll be able to customize a lot more things than standard launchers like Touchwiz or Trebuchet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SPD shell is nice. Brand new device. But it has a lack of widgets. I install it from time to time though
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Brian Gove said:
Nova is a damn good launcher. Also, I believe you can use some of the themes in the theme forum even in stock rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is all true. Nova is great. Im running it now on my GS3 and works great!
Set from my Verizon Stock Rooted (Modded) Galaxy S3 using xda-developers app
Nova is ok, but I prefer Apex launcher.
theres a bunch out there. find one that suits you best!
heres a link for some icons
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=824656
and desktop visualizer can give you some cool setups.
minimialistic text and UCCW are cool to play with too.

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