Related
I've got a server pad off until the end of Feb 2010 and came up with an idea the other day that I wanted to run by the people who spend a lot of time building ROMs and apps for all of us. Let me preface this by saying I'm not trying to take anything away from XDA (I spend a lot of time here), but my idea can really put some money in the pockets of these guys that work so hard for us.
As I said, I have a server I'm not using (along with an installation of VBulletin). My idea is to give the developers a "home", where each has their own forum. Within their own forum they would have their own ads (from Google or whatever they choose), so that they had a real income from their work and not just hope that people donate money occasionally. Within their own section their would be a subforum where only they could post (explanation of releases, instructions, FAQ, etc), so that it wouldnt become a mess. A user feedback section, and a troubleshooting section........with all the user interaction still here at XDA.
I've also set up a download section for ROMs, Themes, Widgets, and Apps, where only developers could upload, but everyone could download....so that everything is in one easy to access spot.
Again, I'm not trying to take anything away from XDA....what I am trying to do is organize something that benefits all of us, by giving the devs a chance to make a little cash, while giving them a place to post their latest releases. I'm not doing this for my own gain (Other than trying to keep my sanity reading through 400 pages of bickering and redundant silly questions)
If any of you Devs are interested (and I've already talked to a few of you), hit me up by PM or email and I'll get you hooked up.
http://androidclubhouse.com
love this idea, this will probably relive the xda servers of some stress, ROM threads have an average of 1000+ replies also might give the mods a little less to worry about, thats right mods i see you trying to keep this forum organized and appreciate your efforts
triple bump
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8To-6VIJZRE
can average joes like me sign up or maybe i can be a moderator if you allow
Yeah, as I said my goal with this was two-fold. First I'm doing this as an idea to help these developers make some scratch (I'll give developers special access and have them open a Google Adsense account). That way these guys can get paid for their efforts.
The other goal was to start from scratch with a clean and managed place. There is a lot going on here, a lot of ideas, a lot of dialogue. What I want to do is give each developer a section, one forum where only they can post (info on the releases, FAQ, etc....without any comments from followers), then have a forum where followers can offers ideas and discuss the releases, then a third forum for troubleshooting (I'd like to find some way of marking issues as solved, then closing them, so people with similar issues arent digging through 400 pages looking for answers).
I have a downloads page, which I'd really like to use.....maybe we can just have all the pertinent downloads there linked to wherever they are saved, or I can host them.
So, in closing, I am not trying to replace XDA (I'm working on adding a link to it to the navbar), I'm trying to augment it. I have the server and software paid of til Feb 2010, so I'm hoping this will turn out to be a good solution and we can keep it going. As always, if you guys have ideas or questions, let me know.
pcexpert2 said:
can average joes like me sign up or maybe i can be a moderator if you allow
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Absolutely....I'm just an average Joe. I am a computer hardware guy (used to own HardwareLogic, but sold it to deal with health issues). My wife bought me a G1 a couple of months back and I've not put it down since. I've been around here for quite awhile and recommend XDA to a lot of people (My last phone was a TMO Dash, which died a sad death when I fell and cracked the screen), I just dont post unless I have something to add to the conversation.
I really want to get people involved, I want to have a nice place, but a place with limited BS, and where things are kept on topic.
I'm onboard for any site that will keep the stupid posts/reposts/BUT HOW DO I DO IT? at bay. Not to criticize xda, but it has grown beyond the moderators abilities and it's just a mess.
I'm going to need help, but my thought was to generate a FAQ post for every thread, and then take the time to consolidate frequent issues we see into stickies, and lock them......so people can find the answers without digging through the BS.
I think we can do that by marking solved issues as "Solved" and locking the threads (then making them a sticky or creating a separate forum for them). By staying on top of that, things should work well.
YO hit me back. Just to chat. Your biggest fan, this is Stan.
To throw up very basic idea for recomendation of being in the design [if happens]:
In the comments on the rom section, make it so the comments can be seperated in category [like maybe side by side or something], like the biggest issue with forums is seperation with them is too seperate. People want to ask their problem with the rom where more viewers are. Its nature. Feedback and Troubleshooting. Thats what I would suggest. Then its simple organization method that keeps the roms clean for the developers to get a good idea whats wrong and how to perfect. Random problem posts in 1 page probably has 7 problems, 3 with response to helping, and 2 for feedback. How to see whats going on. Keep it clean so people can see exactly what they are getting and how to do it, thats key. Make no assumptions about people, think no one knows anything, and make it based on that.
Just a suggestion for [anything] in the future.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3807449#post3807449
we need to consolidate, so far (the link above is for themes) i have seen 10 or more websites to try and put all of the downloads. its a wonderful idea. but if it is to be implemented, we will actually need EVERYONE's attention, and get one site with everything.
it sounds like a good idea, it'll be nice if it can be implemented for a quick place to find useful links. I have so many bookmarks because everything is so scattered on different sites and forums it'll be good to have it all together
I will be working on this all night and tomorrow. Those of you that are developers, sign up and let me know who you are by pm or email. Once I hear from you I will set up your section and give you all the acess.....then we can work on the ads for your section and let you focus on your work.
I will need a couple people to help me watch over things, so some of you senior members hit me up as well if interested.
As to breaking down the sections...here is what I did.....only the developers can post in the rin the ROM release forum, but there is an attached forum where peopele can share ideas and make comments, and an attached troubleshooting forum...well go from there.
As to the downloads page I have it sectioned, so everything should be easy to locate...kind of a one stop shop.
Once we get people posting content, maybe we can come together and edit it down to a series of tutorials, FAQ. Guides, or whatever....one thing I would like to see is a list of all the terminal commands...kind of a glossary...as well as a glossary of terms users need to know to get started, both of those would cut down a lot on redundant questions.
I am watching a few movies with a friend, but later I plan on adding a front page, answering emails, and tinkering with the setup.....keep up with the ideas, and if you want to help out, let me know
yeah
I think it sounds like a Great Idea!!! Get signing up Devs!! Make some more money other than your Donations!!!
Thats my whole point, my idea wasnt a forum to compete with XDA and other forums....but a place for the Devs to post/store their work without all the off topic and petty stuff that ends up being posted. There of course is discussion threads, but not mixed in with the ROM Release threads (Which only the Devs can post to).....there are separate discussion threads for bug reporting and ideas/comments.
Its all set up and ready to go, we just need the Devs to jump on. As soon as they get me some adsense code I will integrate it and they can start making some money from their own ads. Devs, help me help you..........
I also dont want to limit this to the ROM writers, if you have a tutorial, hack, app, widget, etc you want to post please let me know.
I am trying to get a glossary of terms built, as well as as many tutorials as possible, which should cut way down on repeat questions.
If there is a Photoshop Expert out thwere, hit me up, I need a nice logo put together for the site.
Looking good!
The site is looking good so far! I'm sure the devs are on their way!
How Many...
How many Developers are planning to give this a go?
I would also think that letting the rom devs have the ability to moderate their own respective threads if they so choose might be a good idea.
Separate out:
Q/A - general
Q/A - bug specific
Thank you
something to that effect.
I would design the website logo for free and moderate.
That's if you let me.
Rom Devs
ggolemg said:
I would also think that letting the rom devs have the ability to moderate their own respective threads if they so choose might be a good idea.
Separate out:
Q/A - general
Q/A - bug specific
Thank you
something to that effect.
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The Rom Devs are given the Ability to Moderate their posts as they wish, and thanks for the Q/A tips. Have you checked the site out yet?
It seems that since more developers are leaving XDA, and members are flocking to there forums or other android forums. Now I know XDA for quiet some time. I just wish they change some of the ways to certain things. We probably have all developers and more. Support now for the thunderbolt is getting less. Developers who supported the thunderbolt are harder to find. At least for me, I feel like I might need a change very soon since the support for the thunderbolt has lessen.
All I am trying to say is why XDA can't just adapt and have disclaimers for users to understand they need to READ to understand there device and what they are doing to it. Root , and roms updating has risk. People need to ensure they cover every side they read before they do anything on there device.
I like the "thanks" system on xda but to me it really seems there needs to be a way of giving individual posts negative feedback. most social surfing websites have this feature and the ones that implement it well really improve their posting community. The steps are quite simple:
1. Create a social currency (already exists in the thanks meter system)
2. promote the currency so that users really value it, create a culture based on the currency (hardest step)
3. give users the power to say "yay or nay" on any post and again push the culture to participate
4. Add to or detract from the users currency balance based on the votes their posts receive.
5. Below a certain threshold the posts become invisible unless you specifically want to see them
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
mthe0ry said:
I like the "thanks" system on xda but to me it really seems there needs to be a way of giving individual posts negative feedback. most social surfing websites have this feature and the ones that implement it well really improve their posting community. The steps are quite simple:
1. Create a social currency (already exists in the thanks meter system)
2. promote the currency so that users really value it, create a culture based on the currency (hardest step)
3. give users the power to say "yay or nay" on any post and again push the culture to participate
4. Add to or detract from the users currency balance based on the votes their posts receive.
5. Below a certain threshold the posts become invisible unless you specifically want to see them
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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Click to collapse
You raise a good idea, but I think it can be much simpler. A simple + or - for each post would allow users to "rate" the posts. Then a simple filter that will allow users to only show posts with rating s above a certain level would suffice. Useless drivel and repetitive questions will quickly disappear from the filtered results. Any such change more than likely requires some significant updates to the forum though.
As has also been proven before, if large entities don't adapt to changing times, they can die. I don't think XDA is in danger of this yet, but it isn't quite as rich of a resource as it once was.
mthe0ry said:
I like the "thanks" system on xda but to me it really seems there needs to be a way of giving individual posts negative feedback. most social surfing websites have this feature and the ones that implement it well really improve their posting community. The steps are quite simple:
1. Create a social currency (already exists in the thanks meter system)
2. promote the currency so that users really value it, create a culture based on the currency (hardest step)
3. give users the power to say "yay or nay" on any post and again push the culture to participate
4. Add to or detract from the users currency balance based on the votes their posts receive.
5. Below a certain threshold the posts become invisible unless you specifically want to see them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is a good idea, however I don't think it should be as simple as a hitting a negative button similar to the thanks button because it wouldn't be used right most of the time. Say I disagree with your post above, that doesn't mean its a bad post and should receive negative feedback, it just means our opinions differ (though they don't, just an example). If there were a few reasons like; trolling, negative comment towards fellow member (including racism/sexism/any ism's, lol), and maybe a repeat topic/question for all the new threads that get started multiple times a day because the op didn't look for the answer first (which would work better if there was a sticky with info or links to info such as what root and other root related things are and links to how to's). Then once posts reach a certain number of negative feedback for the same "offense" that comment would then be hidden with the reason shown.
Where is everyone going to?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
As far as I know only 2 dev teams left and that due to being treated poorly by people not taking the time to read through threads and follow instructions.
Both of their roms are still available at their personal sites
teambamf.com and themikmik.com
teambamf.net
hopefully they'll get their issues sorted out because the site hasn't been solid yet due to apparent dos attacks.
kudosmog said:
teambamf.net
hopefully they'll get their issues sorted out because the site hasn't been solid yet due to apparent dos attacks.
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Click to collapse
Site is back now for Team BAMF
Trident said:
We're back!
wifiguru and I have been working tirelessly all night moving Team BAMF Forums over to a new server and installing a fresh copy of vBulletin. After doing so, we noticed that our issues were not quite resolved as there was a bot submitting approximately 1000 requests per second to port 80 which was causing the server to reach a state of low memory and overload the CPU. We've beefed up our firewall and limited the amount of requests a single IP address can issue per second which should prevent such an attack in the future. Let it be known that this was indeed an attack on our website though. Pretty lame and immature, huh?
Anyways, we're terribly sorry for the downtime! I don't think we'll be seeing much of that in the days to come..
Click to expand...
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you really think this site and smartphone growth/development isn't bigger than the TBolt, BAMF and Chingy? Maybe a big blow to you personally or Tbolt community here but come on XDA probably has WAY more members than it had last year and will have WAY more next year than it has this year. And you can bet these "flocks" going to their personal sites are still small and will always be compared to XDA's Tbolt (and other) communities. I'm personally not joined to the hip to any dev's work so if I really dont like the dev's alternate site or there isn't sufficient information there's always another virtually identicle or simular enough rom on XDA to switch over to.
I came here to post about my experience with rooted TBolt, but I cannot post in those threads... Not enough posts. This is very frustrating. It pushes me to go search some alternative ways to talk with developers.
Bad spelling and grammar don't help, either...
stanlalee said:
you really think this site and smartphone growth/development isn't bigger than the TBolt, BAMF and Chingy? Maybe a big blow to you personally or Tbolt community here but come on XDA probably has WAY more members than it had last year and will have WAY more next year than it has this year. And you can bet these "flocks" going to their personal sites are still small and will always be compared to XDA's Tbolt (and other) communities. I'm personally not joined to the hip to any dev's work so if I really dont like the dev's alternate site or there isn't sufficient information there's always another virtually identicle or simular enough rom on XDA to switch over to.
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Click to collapse
You really think tbolt devs are the only ones leaving?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
For those of you familiar with Linux distros and their forums, think of it like this: devs here are more like the kind of people you'd find on the Arch or Gentoo forums--they believe (rightfully) that anyone who even considers flashing roms should already know the answers to these questions. And if they honestly don't, the documentation or Google are only a click away.
Now the newbie users, they're more like the kind of people you find on ubuntu forums- people who got sick of the boring factory junk that their device came with, so they switched to this new thing they heard about through a friend and realized too late that it's not as stupid simple as clicking 'next' again and again when installing programs in windows.
You can see the clash that these groups would have...
Two things: there should be a 'newbie' subforum just like EVERY other major project on the internet does, where the questions would be asked and FAQ's could be posted and pinned. And second, the lack of all-inclusive documentation needed to bridge the gap between the two groups is only forcing them further apart.
I had no problem flashing bamf sense 3.0, or changing scripts in init.d because I'm used to looking up the answers on the internet and know how to tell what's junk and what's not. But a lot of users don't. Hence, the need for an all-inclusive newbie subforum with how-to's and FAQ's and such.
I'd be more than happy to contribute to such an endeavor with the admins' blessing too
sent from my rooted Thunderbolt with das BAMF 3.0 rc4
admiralspark said:
because I'm used to looking up the answers on the internet and know how to tell what's junk and what's not. But a lot of users don't. Hence, the need for an all-inclusive newbie subforum with how-to's and FAQ's and such.
I'd be more than happy to contribute to such an endeavor with the admins' blessing too
sent from my rooted Thunderbolt with das BAMF 3.0 rc4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my issue...I know what I want to with my TBOLT, but haven't bc of all the junk out on the web for rooting. Id love some one on one support if anyone is willing to help
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
BAMF has said repeatedly that they did not leave due to anything any users said/did. They left for another reason.
Chingy left for some user related issues still contributes greatly to the community.
Both groups still contribute to TB development and will continue to from their sites. Either way most of the development spawns across multiple forums anyway so I dont see any development slowing down in the future.
From the looks of most of the questions asked on the thunderbolt subforum (since many would be better asked or looked for in the general forums), I would gather that most that frequent it think that this forum == xda, which is not true. Compared to the other forums, this one is far more juvenile and dramatic. People are not "leaving" in droves in any other forums nor are developers. Sometimes I think the thunderbolt was the officially endorsed phone of 4chan.
Anyways, xda is not dying. One would think that though if all they read is the thunderbolt forums though
I dont' mind helping the noobs, but sometimes the more obvious questions can wear on you and all you want to say is RTFM, which is probably what the developers that left wanted to say as well. I don't think those that do say such things do it out of being mean, but do it more out of frustration that all the help and advice they might give in the past is just in vain/futility.
As already mentioned. There are two crowds on xda. The mint/ubuntu/what is ubuntu types that will 99% of the time need spoon fed even after helping past the basic stuff and the arch/debian/slackware types that know how to look for information themselves. Those two groups rarely ever seem to "get" each other anyways as also mentioned.
I think as far as the developers are concerned they just want to do their own thing and that's more than understandable! What I don't understand is why shoot yourself in the foot by leaving a huge market like xda (4 million members). If it's personal reasons I can understand but what better way to get more attention than being on multiple forums.
Xda isn't perfect and never will be but I'm not giving up hope that it can be better and moderation is gonna go way up from here on out that's a promise. Another problem is there aren't many mods in thunderbolt section (2 that i know of) but I plan on bringing that up so we can get some more help in here.
The noob sub forum probably won't happen, don't want to alienate new members. What can be done is improved stickies which is being done as I type. There will always be members who ask before searching but with improved stickies it will reduce it.
Some moderating from the mods would be nice too. They should be deleting unuseful posts like "search" and cursing. The problem is when you search for issues you find other threads but the conversation inside them is "search" followed by a pissing contest. Stickies with more information would help and I like the feature that searches for you when you create a new thread. Everyone needs to respect each other here. That's when the mods need to step in and start laying down the ban hammer and warnings. I'd love to help in that department.
Agreed, but a small team will have all sorts of trouble trying to moderate a userbase of 4 million...but we could all help to reduce the number of questions if there was a single source of information to send new users to. So, I'll begin writing up some things tonight (RL class for now).
On a side note, if you'd like some one-on-one help, I'm more than happy to do so through pm/chat/skype/whatever. Everyone started at square one once upon a time
sent from my rooted Thunderbolt with das BAMF 3.0 rc4
I've already created a sticky guide, I'm still working on it as I go feel free to add what ever yall feel necessary!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1168433
Hey there xda-dwellers. I hope I've chosen the correct forum for this question.
I've always wondered - whenever I go to download a new ROM for whatever phone I have at the time, ROMs are always hosted on Megaupload / Rapidshare (or something along those lines). Why?
Is it because most developers lack the resources to push out enough bandwidth to satisfy downloaders such as myself? It it more convenient to use these sites? Or does it have something to do with legal issues?
Just trying to think of a way I can give back to the community. If it's out of a lack of bandwidth, I may be able to help.
Thanks!
Most devs don't have their own servers or websites not all are Megaupload. Also some just use it as another way to push it out if its super popular. Least thats what I have viewed.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Its rather that even if they have the servers why should they use them to distribute 100MB ROM files to thousands of peoples, they don't sell the ROMs, they offer them for free, no income from that...
So they would have to pay money for bandwidth so people can download their free ROMs...
Maybe they just aren't aware of the better alternatives like minus.com or Google Docs.
I'd love to hear from a developer on this. Thanks for the replies, guys.
I've got the resources to offer the storage and bandwidth for free to developers. Would any developers be interested or actually use this? I have a vision for creating a central location where developers can post their ROMs for quick, direct downloads from a dedicated server.
I just need to get some people on board and involved. I think it'd be a great thing for the community, personally, but I want to hear the community's opinion before I put hours of work into it.
Again, thanks guys!
Interesting treat I have always wander the same thing lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I've been an XDA user for a few years now, and for the most part I have found it to be a great source of help and information across a wide range of devices and platforms... up until recently.
I have always had a strong interest in mobile phones/devices. And when I got my first smart phone in 2008 my interest was piqued further. I am not a developer, and I don’t intend on becoming one. I am a user. I love customization, apps, games and everything about smart phones (started on Winows Mobile, and I now use Android).
The way I understand it… XDA was started as a developer’s site/forum… for developers. Over the years it began to evolve into a non-exclusive community. Anyone could ask for help on any range of smart phone topics – which I thought was great.
Lately it seems that XDA has been trying to get back to their roots… that is to say, they are trying to make the forums more developer exclusive. I can only say that is a bad thing from a selfish stand point. Of course if I were a developer I might take issue with my forums being flooded with non-developer related (and therefore… irrelevant) threads and posts. I am in no position to criticize the site managers about what type of site they wish to run and how they want to run it. But XDA is becoming useless to me. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find help on non-development related topics.
So… Can someone please recommend another (more user-orientated) site? I like to ask questions on a range of topics; some device specific, some about how to use apps, some game hints, some general android queries, app recommendations, etc. Is there a better forum for a user like me?
Thanks for any help.
I used to frequent http://www.teambamf.net/ when I had my HTC Thunderbolt, Yea, it was my first smart phone.
They do a lot with Samsung phones, you might want to take a look and see what they have to offer.
CharlesTheMan is willing to help anyone who asks, they're good guys.
If you can't find what you want there, just ask, they can tell you what you need to do and recommend where to go if they can't answer your questions.
It always pays to search for different alternatives, I work in an IT department as a programmer, systems network analyst and a webmaster.
Don't always use the same search engine, change up, use Bing or Dogpile or many others to find what you need.
I can spend hours researching for what I need, there is so much out there now you just need to learn "Where To Look", per say.
Good luck and remember, if you don't find what you are looking for, look somewhere else!!
G.
Hi G,
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I almost always do a pretty extensive google search before coming hear to post. I rarely use bing or anyother search engine before coming here to ask... will certainly give it a go.
Thanks again.
I don't think there's another forum as great as XDA
but if you could be more specific or if you like MIUI rom, you can find everything about it here miuiandroid[dot]com
retslagoon said:
I don't think there's another forum as great as XDA
but if you could be more specific or if you like MIUI rom, you can find everything about it here miuiandroid[dot]com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi retslagoon,
I do not have any particular question at this time. But thanks for your reply.
One issue I have with 'being specific' (and I think I might find this hard to explain) is that I can spend quite a bit of time typing out a questing/post (and trying to be clear and specific), while wording correctly; only to have it be ignored - for whatever reason. So the entire exercise ends up being a waste of time.
I do not know why so many simple questions get ignored on these forums, there could be a range of reasons (either because people don't know the answers to them, or because people don't bother to read them; I also wonder if it is due to the fact that some of these unanswered questions are not at all development related and therefor are intentionally ignored to teach the poster a lesson about posting on a development forum).
Eitherway, XDA is not satisfying my search for help/advice and information.
Thanks again.
[email protected] said:
hi retslagoon,
I do not have any particular question at this time. But thanks for your reply.
One issue I have with 'being specific' (and I think I might find this hard to explain) is that I can spend quite a bit of time typing out a questing/post (and trying to be clear and specific), while wording correctly; only to have it be ignored - for whatever reason. So the entire exercise ends up being a waste of time.
I do not know why so many simple questions get ignored on these forums, there could be a range of reasons (either because people don't know the answers to them, or because people don't bother to read them; I also wonder if it is due to the fact that some of these unanswered questions are not at all development related and therefor are intentionally ignored to teach the poster a lesson about posting on a development forum).
Eitherway, XDA is not satisfying my search for help/advice and information.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My experience is that often threads are unnecessarily started: A quick Google-search before in most cases would have given the answer(s) requested. At least if the issue(s) is/are device independent. So you must not wonder a post istn't replied.
I've never been any good at using the XDA website/app so i was wondering if I could get some help in what it takes to be an XDA Expert.
I've been using it for years, but I just can't get the knack of using it because any thread I participate in I just can't communicate properly. Am I a "noob" at this? Its really triggers anxiety for me
Kindly acknowledge my question. Thanks
... no reply.
I'm done with XDA. Uninstalling this useless app from my phone it looks good, but underneath the app it's just a headache for me. Thanks anyway.
What exactly are you seeking?
I was having a bad day. I realise I need to post in appropriate places I probably would find it easier to interact in a different forum than XDA , probably more relevant to my inadequacies , because XDA , from my years* of experience has been totally dead for me. I have only interacted with moderators about threads like this or to one guy who unlocked the lg G4 after donating him a bunch of money but now he just sees no sense or any worth in talking to me. Anyway,v whatever,
XDA is kind of for the hardcore Android user. A lot of the posts here are about rooting, ROMs and really getting into the heart of your phone. It sounds like you're looking for something a little lighter, where you people are just talking about their phones or certain apps and not how to recreate their phone. I would suggest that you try AndroidCentral.com. I'm not saying that their tech level is any less than XDA, people there talk about rooting and things like that but it is a less intimidating experience. It's also a little more laid back and casual. Both sites have very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful people but the atmospheres are very different and it sounds like that might be what you're looking for.