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Xda Dev "free Noob Support"

As im sitting here at work reading posts i cant help but notice the redundant questions asked by new users with 1-8 post counts. Anywere you go you typically have to pay for tech support. In my opinion people are seeing all you can do with a WIN-MO device and taking advantage of the site. The info is there and all you have to do is search for a couple of minutes. Its really frustrating reading about tom-tom, how to install a .cab, how do I flash a rom, I never mind helping someone, but they have to be willing to learn, and 9 times out of 10 they just want somone to do it for them. I have even seen numerous people go to the extent of creating step-by-step videos and dedicated threads explaining EVERY single possibility and how to do it. But the fact remains still redundant threads. I have an idea, i dont know if this is possible, but make a new member watch a video and take a quiz and if they pass then access granted. Anyway im rambling on but thats my feelings.

I think we all know WM is not the easiest OS to use, and the extent of its power just means there are more opportunities for users to get lost and confused.
I think if we want to continue to benefit from the network effect of having many new users we need to continue supporting the very same users.
Some forums take this principle to heart, and welcome new users, and encourage new users to ask questions by giving points to people who provide answers, and buttons to give thanks etc.
I've used PPC's for 7 years now, and have been helped many times by the amazing experts in this forum. I am thankful its a friendly place, and hope that will long continue.
Surur

The issue of newbies asking "1000 times" questions has been raised before.
This is no longer a small technical forum as it used to be in the past (I guess it is our own fault and the price of fame).
However it was decided not to limit registration and participation on this forum.
There are other closed forums which admit people based on skill or posts reputation.
Please note that if you run in to such noob threads and you do not feel like helping just ignore them.
Noob bashing brings no positive results.

Captivte variants.

Is there a single place to go to read about the differences between the Captivate phones (i.e. i9000, armani, us version, european version, etc). It is all very confusing at times.

gsmarena.com and phonearena.com are the two sites I use, but you'll need to know their localized carrier names (e.g. captivate, vibrant, etc) or model #s (i897, i9000).

Have looked at the wiki? Obviously not. Thanks for posting in q&a.

http://pdadb.net/ is probably my fav...

The Wiki that others have suggested is located here. Try to ignore those members who want to be assholes to people trying to learn. In the future, please post any questions you have in in the Q&A section.

Red_81 said:
The Wiki that others have suggested is located here. Try to ignore those members who want to be assholes to people trying to learn. In the future, please post any questions you have in in the Q&A section.
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The real problem is people like you coddling these guys and thinking that we're a holes for pointing out the obvious. All you are doing is spoon feeding the weak and not letting any of em learn from their mistake. You swoop in any time somebody points out a noob mistake and unhook you're bra for the suckling. Well it needs to stop.

I had a witty reply all typed up and then I realized I just don't give a ****. I've got better things to do. Give those newbs hell. Maybe then they'll run to pay $5 for support to a guy who just plagiarizes from XDA anyway.
From the Forum Rules:
2.3 Flaming: XDA was founded as a group of people sharing information about certain mobile phones. Sharing does not involve virtual yelling (flaming) it does involve working together to solve problems in an environment of mutual respect and understanding. Losing your temper and flaming another member, or group of members, is not acceptable behavior.
2.5 New Members: Treat new members the way you would have liked to have been treated when you were a new member. Provide the new members with guidance, advice and instruction always with respect and courtesy.
2.6 All members are expected to read and adhere to the XDA rules.
10. Help others if you can.
If you see posts from others where you can help out, please do. This place exists because people are helping each other, and even if you are relatively new to the matter, there's probably already quite a few people newer than you that would benefit from what you've learned. Don't be shy.

Thanks for everyones help.

http://www.youtube.com/user/xdadevelopers?feature=chclk
this is what they are going to to make the new people watch once becoming a member. and the simple answer is that you only have to be worried about the captivate if your on this form untill you get enough experience to start porting things yourself. The captivate is models i896 and i897 and they have interchangeable roms.

I agree to red81, if u dont like the post/topic, just ignore it and let the other members who wants to respond and help the newbis, imo..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

lyrad12 said:
I agree to red81, if u dont like the post/topic, just ignore it and let the other members who wants to respond and help the newbis, imo..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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Watch the video above. I don't think the official xda opinion is that of let happen what may happen.

Thanks for being courteous.

Taz, don't take it personal...this is a great site to ask info and many, many people will be more than happy to help you out...noob or veteran.
Others are just cranky.

[Completed] [Q] where to ask about law and legality of hacking android devices

What's the best forum to ask about law and legality regarding rooting, unlocking bootloaders, and other activities that might be considered bypassing security? I'm a developer and I would like to get into this game, but I have some questions and I've had a hard time figuring out the answers over the last couple of weeks.

Hi,
I'm not quite sure which "laws" you're referring to. None of what you've mentioned is illegal. Tho on most devices all that will void warranties. Not all devices tho.
You can ask here for more info from others,
> General discussion > Questions and Answers
Yes, some activities can be illegal, but you won't find any of that on XDA generally. Discussion about illegal and often immoral activities are deleted.
Good luck!

Developer Laws
squebler said:
What's the best forum to ask about law and legality regarding rooting, unlocking bootloaders, and other activities that might be considered bypassing security? I'm a developer and I would like to get into this game, but I have some questions and I've had a hard time figuring out the answers over the last couple of weeks.
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Just as KJ said in his recent reply, the first 2 activities you mentioned typically should not get you into any kind of legal trouble as far as I know, though it could certainly void your warranty. But in regards to "other activities", well that would depend upon what you mean, for as technology is always changing, so are the laws related to it. Therefore, it's always best to do an extensive online search and/or get real "professional" advice before venturing into anything that involves making money and/or has the slightest potential of creating legal problems Good Luck!

OK, thread closed.
Xda Assist is not a discussion or support section guys. Please read the stickies.
Thanks!

Mobiletechvideos by Josh Groce xda member - urgent feedback requested

After trying to help an xda member to get his tablet fixed, we have ended up at Mobiletechvideos started by Josh Groce, who has been a past speaker at XDA events. We have spent the last 1 month trying to get in contact with Mobiletechvideos - anybody we can, anyway we can, email, phone calls etc. There has been no communication. Zero.
Mobiletechvideos was a suggestion of Adam Outler, another trusted member of XDA, and hence we did not do due diligence in making sure of the current status of said company. That fault we now recognize. Adam Outler, when finally contacted, initially could not recall the company, but then remembered Josh and says he will try to contact Josh. But we are waiting....
There are a few threads dealing explicitly with Mobiletechvideos and the recent situation where many have given up on their phones ever coming back, and some trying for 4-5 months. Surprisingly, Josh as "connexion2005" does respond arbitrarily to posts on these threads but has not addressed the many members whose devices are stuck in the limbo of Mobiletechvideos. People have been charged $150 a piece on numerous occasions but have not gotten refunds or action on their devices, or even any feedback.
THIS THREAD IS BEING CREATED IN DESPERATION AFTER TRYING SO MANY VENUES INCLUDING THE ABOVE THREADS.
Remember this: Mobiletechvideos as founded by a former XDA "guru" (????) Is drumming up its business through its connections on xda forums. This needs to be re-examined on all fronts. As a long time user of XDA, I have come to respect my interactions with members purely on trust. While this may seem intuitively naiive, it has never let me down until now. We as users must fight to ensure that XDA remains a "safe" site considering we download our phone software without blinking an eye ! That trust must NOT be betrayed.
We hope that other senior members that recognize the names of the member we cite can put out the message that Mobiletechvideos needs to at least respond to customers if it has any chance of carrying on in a legal fashion.
We are preparing a case to be submitted to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) by Monday as we have no other recourse but to escalate the case and hope some serious official intervention by outside authorities will bring things back on track. We also will sadly have to consider police involvement if possible.
Anybody with any ideas, feedback, knowledge or assistance are please requested to respond.
Thanks.

chappatti said:
After trying to help an xda member to get his tablet fixed, we have ended up at Mobiletechvideos started by Josh Groce, who has been a past speaker at XDA events. We have spent the last 1 month trying to get in contact with Mobiletechvideos - anybody we can, anyway we can, email, phone calls etc. There has been no communication. Zero.
Mobiletechvideos was a suggestion of Adam Outler, another trusted member of XDA, and hence we did not do due diligence in making sure of the current status of said company. That fault we now recognize. Adam Outler, when finally contacted, initially could not recall the company, but then remembered Josh and says he will try to contact Josh. But we are waiting....
There are a few threads dealing explicitly with Mobiletechvideos and the recent situation where many have given up on their phones ever coming back, and some trying for 4-5 months. Surprisingly, Josh as "connexion2005" does respond arbitrarily to posts on these threads but has not addressed the many members whose devices are stuck in the limbo of Mobiletechvideos. People have been charged $150 a piece on numerous occasions but have not gotten refunds or action on their devices, or even any feedback.
THIS THREAD IS BEING CREATED IN DESPERATION AFTER TRYING SO MANY VENUES INCLUDING THE ABOVE THREADS.
Remember this: Mobiletechvideos as founded by a former XDA "guru" (????) Is drumming up its business through its connections on xda forums. This needs to be re-examined on all fronts. As a long time user of XDA, I have come to respect my interactions with members purely on trust. While this may seem intuitively naiive, it has never let me down until now. We as users must fight to ensure that XDA remains a "safe" site considering we download our phone software without blinking an eye ! That trust must NOT be betrayed.
We hope that other senior members that recognize the names of the member we cite can put out the message that Mobiletechvideos needs to at least respond to customers if it has any chance of carrying on in a legal fashion.
We are preparing a case to be submitted to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) by Monday as we have no other recourse but to escalate the case and hope some serious official intervention by outside authorities will bring things back on track. We also will sadly have to consider police involvement if possible.
Anybody with any ideas, feedback, knowledge or assistance are please requested to respond.
Thanks.
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I'm sorry you are going through these difficulties.
I do not have any direct advice or knowledge of this situation, I just wanted to say that Mobiletechvideos/Josh are not affiliated with XDA, and is a member just as you are. I checked to see if he had spoken at any events and it looks like he spoke at an Android BBQ, which isn't our event. Even if it was, just because a speaker says they are with XDA doesn't necessarily mean we are vouching for them or their business.
Anyway, it sounds like you and others have tried contacting him about this and are not receiving satisfactory answers. Unless he is a member of the BBB there is no point in contacting them as they have no authority. You can try to open a claim in small claims court, which is your best bet - you can try contacting the local police where he is located but really the only thing they can look into is fraud.
This isn't directly related to the running of XDA the site so I will move the thread to an appropriate forum. Again best of luck to you and others affected by this!

bitpushr said:
I'm sorry you are going through these difficulties.
I do not have any direct advice or knowledge of this situation, I just wanted to say that Mobiletechvideos/Josh are not affiliated with XDA, and is a member just as you are. I checked to see if he had spoken at any events and it looks like he spoke at an Android BBQ, which isn't our event. Even if it was, just because a speaker says they are with XDA doesn't necessarily mean we are vouching for them or their business.
Anyway, it sounds like you and others have tried contacting him about this and are not receiving satisfactory answers. Unless he is a member of the BBB there is no point in contacting them as they have no authority. You can try to open a claim in small claims court, which is your best bet - you can try contacting the local police where he is located but really the only thing they can look into is fraud.
This isn't directly related to the running of XDA the site so I will move the thread to an appropriate forum. Again best of luck to you and others affected by this!
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Thanks so much for your reply and for your kind words of encouragement. We are exploring all avenues.
I want to also clarify that as a public forum XDA has my highest regard - it is a true example of a altruistic community. I just wish to urge members to continue to be vigilant in reporting known cases of fraud or scamming so others can steer clear of becoming victims.
I would go far as to suggest a separate thread/sub-forum be opened to report such issues - one can easily judge the magnitude of the issue by looking at the number of replies a thread garners, which would highten the risk a particular report poses. Also it gives the both parties in such a dispute to air their issues, such that other readers can judge for themselves the merits of any case. Xda does not have to in any way provide dispute resolution, but just allow a small space for greivances to be discussed and the metits be judged by the individual judgement of users. At least some awareness is built about potential ongoing issues.

many must agree

Why participate in any thread on xda when Ur a n00b like me?? surely, the normal thing non n00bs do is to just ignore? Every time I participate in any thread on xda I just get ignored because I'm a n00b. I'm sure I'm not the only one on the intranet that feels this way. Not a question just stating my thoughts about this website.

jason_l367 said:
Why participate in any thread on xda when Ur a n00b like me?? surely, the normal thing non n00bs do is to just ignore? Every time I participate in any thread on xda I just get ignored because I'm a n00b. I'm sure I'm not the only one on the intranet that feels this way. Not a question just stating my thoughts about this website.
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First, this forum isn't a help-desk or a support forum. This website is not here for us to help you, it is here for you to find your own answers and only ask when you cant find or dont understand the answers.
Second, most of the questions you've posted, already have solutions, if it's obvious that you haven't searched for them, most members won't answer because we don't spoonfeed people looking for answers. If you are searching and you are finding answers but don't understand the answers you find, it is still on you to do some researching about what you found in order to understand what it is that you found. Sometimes it takes days/weeks/months to figure out what things are and what they mean, even for members that are NOT noobs. Don't just spend a little time looking for answers and then come here asking questions just because you didn't understand what you found in the first few minutes of reading it. Do some google searches to understand what it is saying.
If you're looking for a place for someone to hold your hand or do the thinking and the work for you, XDA is not that place. We don't mind pointing someone in the right direction, just don't ask questions that have already been asked repeatedly, this shows that you haven't searched and seen where it was already asked, therefore, your question will be ignored. Don't ask simple questions that can be easily answered with a simple Google search, those also get ignored because it shows that you aren't willing to do your own searching.
When you are searching and you find information that you think is relevant to your needs, don't just jump the gun and try it, that is reckless and can lead to causing worse issues. You need to do deeper research about your specific device, your issue and it's potential solutions on order to understand exactly what will or won't work. Get more familiar with "what not to do" instead of "what to do" when you're attempting to modify a device.
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