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Best means to an end for my project - Custom ROM or add on files?

Hello all. Thanks for bearing with my 2 quick (potentially newbie) questions posted today. I have spent a while lurking and searching while planning out my project here for my Apache.
This thread is really in hopes that I go about the means to my end goal correctly.
I currently have an HTC Apache with Sprint (PPC 6700 - WM5) and am looking to do a few things with it.
First, I'd like to streamline the phone some - taking out some of the unnecessary fluff that I don't use and anything that isn't required for basic use under Sprint's network.
Second, I'd like to add additional flexibility and utility with such things as the streaming media player, HTC home plug in (or potentially a third party such as WisBar Advance, phoneAlarm, etc.), HTC dialer (skinned), comm manager, a new contacts manager program, VGA mod (with ability to turn this on/off), Opera Mobile, and a mem card with a few add on programs/games/emulators/etc. I'd like this all to run with some speed here, as my first attempts in expanding the capabilities of the phone slowed it to a crawl (working on spare Apache to learn.)
Neccesary (or unnecessary?) details? I use primarily Sprint's EvDO service for internet essentially exclusively. WM5 on sprint's latest ROM (though this may change here I suppose?) My skill level is probably 5-6/10 on a newbie rating here.
Should I go with a custom ROM here for the phone to meet these goals? Pick a preset up ROM package or attempt to home cook one up with the required array of files? Leave the Sprint ROM and just add on the items I am looking for?
Thanks so much for input on this. I would like to attempt things here in a logical fashion this time with my everyday phone instead of simply trial and error.
Adam

*Generic* Dream ROM

All,
I currently own a stock RC30 UK T-Mobile Dream phone. I have come to terms with the fact that I dont have root access (yet) and have purchased a new ADP1, which hopefully will arrive next year.
When it does finally arrive I plan to make a generic build of RC30/RC8 firmware without all the T-Mobile junk in the ROM (web'n'walk etc) and no default APN's/MMS/etc. I have read through the re-packing sections etc and it seems possible to do without a lot of effort.
My question is; would this be something that other users would be interested in using? If so would you like to see it posted on these forums? Also, please post any comments with any functionality you would like to see added (default apps etc).

i think if you can incorporate new features into the rom such as auto rotate browser or any other tweaks to improve the G1, I'd think it'll be extremely popular. Case in point custom cooked Windows Mobile roms on this forum.
default apps is probably a hit or miss situation. I would stick to the only essentials (ie: Klaxon for alarm clock).

Good idea. We need to start building custom ROM's like all the other WM phones... Here's how I would go about building an Android ROM:
1. Start off with a generic build of android from source. Obviously include all the drivers for the dream.
2. Make a nice, clean skin. If you have knowledge of C/Java, don't be afraid to mess with visual structure of the platform,.
3. Add all the proprietary Google APK's (GMail, Calender, Amazon MP3 etc).
4. Add some 3rd party APK's based on user popularity. (Steel, Power Manager, Locale etc)
5. Add some hacks that require root (auto-rotate, improved tethering functionality)

Yes this will be very interested. All i need is to get bloody root!!! Soon though. Theres alot of smart cookies here

And rework the basic features such as sms's mms's picture viewer. contacts section ( add more input data points. like WM offers )
i guess as any rom you will never please everybody but i agree with "Datruesurfer" steel is a great app.
Onscreen keyboard like in steel or such its not to big and small. but a system wide onscreen keyboard. working in a very dirty industry the onscreen keyboard comes in.
Some other programs i find invaluable and should be an option in the default Android or i at least i really thinks so. are Smspopup, Missed call, Dgaway,Dgprefs, Rings Extender.
Power Manager as well is a good program to help better manage the battery and default network settings.
if there is a way to rework those and remove the default browser and add such options into the android rom itself i would be very pleased.

Want app to auto set forwarding...

I honestly didn't know if this should be in Developing Forum, or Apps forum. I presume apps forum is for existing apps.
I want to be able to have my phone (Captivate) forward automatically based on where I am at. I had accomplished that on my old WinMo phone two different ways:
1.) Originally I got Mort Script (scripting tool for WinMO), and wrote a script based on time to auto forward the phone. I needed to find the correct app to call to do the forwarding (I'm on AT&T, and it is done in their network, as opposed to just dialing a number and enter the forwarding number). Found that with the help of another great forum on XDA.
2.) Then I learned of Phone Alarm which could do that based on cell tower, wifi, GPS, etc. Loved it.
I am told by the authors of Locale that it cannot be done becaue of inbuilt security on Android. This leaves me thinking the only way I may accomplish this is with a script.
Anybody know of a way to accomplish this? Or may be writing an app to do it?
I am installing Setting Profiles now, but I'm sure it doesn't have that capability build in either. (Well, pretty sure. I'll explore).

Check here: this might be to your needs.
http://lifehacker.com/5599116/how-to-turn-your-android-phone-into-a-fully+automated-superphone

Thanks. I'll check it out, and post back what I find.

TASKER... http://tasker.dinglisch.net/index.html
I have been using it a few days now and the possibilities are limitless. There is a wiki that has recently started growing with tutorials and profiles.
I have used to to perform several actions that items from the market require a purchase to do.

We're referencing the same thing

I have downloaded it, and it looks great. I"m not sure it will do the forwarding I want, but a nice tool anyway. I had downloaded Setting Profiles just before starting this thread, but it isn't near as strong as Tasker.
I'll have to search for the Wiki.

Learning about Android as an OS

I hope this isn't a stupid question. But I couldn't find any real info regarding this. And after reading the Mysteries of Science thread it seemed to me, there really isn't much information regarding such things. So:
I noticed that for almost all Linux based OS you can find in-depth descriptions on how the OS works on a basic level. For example where specific settings are stored.
The guides at android.com deal with app development, but don't specify how you use the OS as a root user. For example, if I want to change WLAN settings, there must be a way to do that without using the GUI or by using special classes but by editing a config file. Or where does Android store the startup settings, i.e. which apps to start at boot time or at specific system events. Or where do apps register as default app for viewing certain filetypes. There is a description how to code it, but not how Android stores that information and how it can be edited/viewed manually.
Since it's linux based I guess there are plain text config files for all those things. But where...? Was such information ever released by Google?

bur2000 said:
For example, if I want to change WLAN settings, there must be a way to do that without using the GUI or by using special classes but by editing a config file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change network interface with 'ifconfig' command.
You can get ifconfig command by installing busybox.

There are commands that can be used, but this is still a bit liek try&error. So it seems there is no full documentation on how Android works?
Has Google ever addressed this, do they plan to release such documentation?

[Q]Smart Dialing

Hello guys,
I have a short question for you!
I noticed that in custom roms, developers do not include a smart dialer (with predictive keyboard etc), and when asking about that feature, answers are "download xy apk that do the trick".
However, some manufacturers provide such a feature with their devices, such as HTC with Sense, Samsung with TouchWizz, and... Even ZTE, at least in its Blade. (don't know about other models of that brand)
And I believe (I might be wrong) that ZTE Blade is provided with basic Android OS, no overlayer of any kind.
By the way, the dialer is almost the same than the one in CyanogemMod's roms, as well as the Sony Ericsson devices, and Nexus phones.
Here is my question:
Is it that difficult to implement the smart feature in the phone application, or is just that I represent a tiny minority of users who want that feature, instead of pressing "menu", "research", or scroll down over all the contacts?
(I must say that I know absolutely nothing about development, ... But it's just a question, no animosity! )

I don't know about other ROMs, but I CM7 is basically an ASOP build. The goal is to get as close to the stock android from Google (like on the Nexus phones), so they just use the stock apps.
The manufactures put these special features on their phones (HTC Sense, Motoblur, etc) to try and differentiate their brands of Android each other and get you to buy their phones over the competition.

Thank you for this answer.
I agree with you when you say that CM (for example) get as close as possible to the stock Android, but they also add special functionalities, specific applications etc..
So, why does it seem like it's not possible to add such a basic feature (by basic, I mean "That every smartphone should have, to my opinion" that is the smart dialing?
Is it because it is very difficult to implement to the dialer, or is it something completely different? There are many very talentuous people here on xda, I can't imagine that no one ever succeded, if they tried!