"Development and Hacking" forum grown and the topics are kinda mixed up.. eg: ROM development tools mixed with Themes, "ported/hacked" Applications, user-made apps, etc etc.
I think that this area should be divised. It's hard to seek a topic. Maybe one is interested in ROM tools (eg: NBHextract, XIP port, dumprom, etc,etc), maybe someone in ported applications (omnia touchwizz interface, asus glide, xperia panels, xperia camera, htc album, etc), maybe others in development resoruces.. and maybe others in applications made by xda-developers.
So, one sugestion is to split create one new category Development and Hacking wich contains the following sub-forums:
- ROM Development Tools
- Homescreen Plugins (Manilla, TouchWizz, Asus Glide, BatteryMetter, etc)
- Ported Applications
- xda-dev Applications
- xda-dev Games
- Applications Hacking (?)
- Development Resources & Tips & Tricks
The name of the forums may not be the same.. also, other sub-forums may be added.. This is just a suggestion. This forum really contains valuable information but it must be more organized.
Regards
i would have to disagree myself. i think the section is fine the way it is (all the question threads removed ) If you know what you are after then you just need to search. I think splitting things up willo nly result in more confusion on the common user's part (not knowing where top ost with so many options) and further more this is a development website, not a cache of programs like a freeware website. Whats being developed at the moment will be on top, everything else will fade out behind but still accesible if you know what you are looking for.
First, sorry if the original version of this comes off the wrong way, I just noticed it might read a little snotty...especially since I started typing it before joel2009's post, but it as posted up later it reads like I'm arguing.
joel2009 said:
I think splitting things up will only result in more confusion on the common user's part (not knowing where to post with so many options) and further more this is a development website, not a cache of programs like a freeware website. Whats being developed at the moment will be on top, everything else will fade out behind but still accesible if you know what you are looking for.
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The main problem I think is that there's so much traffic in that single spot that the list of threads marked "Today" stretches into the 5th page sometimes. I'm pretty sure a lot more gets lost and many good threads aren't seen at all. It's made worse by there being a couple of different forums listed under specific models of phone which are obviously resources for many others. Examples include:
Kaiser software, which has a lot of postings that apply to several other phones.
Raphael Software/Themes Apps and Software (Diamond), both of these basically cover the same thing. I've seen a number of people make requests or ask questions that are already resolved in the other thread.
The main D&H forum, even if you ignore the little groupings the OP had (i.e. xda releases vs. ported apps), is home to at least 3 very separate postings/releases; ROM Tools, Phone Apps, and Skins/Themes. For a "simple" user who's just trying to watch for themes and skins this is a lot of unnecessary noise. Imagine a Raphael or Diamond owner looking for applications, there's at least 4 groups to watch and 3 of them are kept under specific phones. A new diamond owner won't realize all the stuff they are missing. I think that's more confusing to new users.
My suggestion, to be taken worth it's digital equivalence to a grain of salt, is to break it up into ROM Tools, Apps (both ported and user-developed), Themes & Skins. I would also put them into a major category that would be consequently named Development and Hacking, and probably move the Networking and Upgrading groups over there as well.
I'd personally also like to see a single forum just dedicated to programming. It's pretty obvious that there's a good cross-section of members who are also programmers, some of which have demonstrated more talent than most other sites can boast. There's a lot of people trying to write programs but are rooting around a lot of other forums which aren't too suited to answer their questions. The other thing is that it might give more inspiration for some of the people who are good at UI and some people who are good with system/functional programming to talk to each other or even work together on apps. Many others have pointed it out, for a site to have 'developers' in the title, it's really strange that there's not even a little conversation about one of the main forms of development.
joel2009 information must be organized..
some things are contradictory in your post. you say "I think splitting things up willo nly result in more confusion on the common user's part" and "this is a development website". If it's a development website than the development area must be extended, not limited to one sub-forum that contains different kind of stuff.
Also, maybe some of us want to learn from other developers experience.. (see "Development Resources & Tips & Tricks" sub-forum)..
The way how it's in this moment create confusion not only for the developer but also for the regular users. Maybe some developers are interested only on ROM tools. Maybe some users are looking just ROM tools. It will be hard for all of us because this section of the site is constantly growing and contain all kind of stuff (themes, apps, tools, etc).
Organizing the information into sub-forums is A MUST.
+ you can add a new subforum for "Ideas for application" where people can post ideas for developers.
If detailed descriptions are used for each sub-forum there will be less to none confusion rate (additionally someone can write about these sections so everybody will understand..).
Just my humble opinion, but I think they fit well together. The difference is small between the two and it would just require me to check two boards to get the same info.
I say let's hold a vote.
DSF said:
"Development and Hacking" forum grown and the topics are kinda mixed up.. eg: ROM development tools mixed with Themes, "ported/hacked" Applications, user-made apps, etc etc.
I think that this area should be divised. It's hard to seek a topic. Maybe one is interested in ROM tools (eg: NBHextract, XIP port, dumprom, etc,etc), maybe someone in ported applications (omnia touchwizz interface, asus glide, xperia panels, xperia camera, htc album, etc), maybe others in development resoruces.. and maybe others in applications made by xda-developers.
So, one sugestion is to split create one new category Development and Hacking wich contains the following sub-forums:
- ROM Development Tools
- Homescreen Plugins (Manilla, TouchWizz, Asus Glide, BatteryMetter, etc)
- Ported Applications
- xda-dev Applications
- xda-dev Games
- Applications Hacking (?)
- Development Resources & Tips & Tricks
The name of the forums may not be the same.. also, other sub-forums may be added.. This is just a suggestion. This forum really contains valuable information but it must be more organized.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'v been thinking the same for a long time now.
Thats not contradictory at all. The Development and hacking section is for contributers, if you are contributing an app you are developing or in need of help dev, then that is what the section is for. Things start getting more complicated when you are trying to post your own work and there are several different sections you have to swarm though to find the appropriate one. I'm a fan of keep things simple.
If you are trying to follow a specific thread, then you can bookmark it or subscribe to it.
The main problem I think is that there's so much traffic in that single spot that the list of threads marked "Today" stretches into the 5th page sometimes. I'm pretty sure a lot more gets lost and many good threads aren't seen at all. It's made worse by there being a couple of different forums listed under specific models of phone which are obviously resources for many others.
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The list that is bold when you log on only shows the threads you have not read since the last time you viewed the page. If you are interested in reading everything than you will read on through them.
Here is an example, looking at you list of stuff:
- ROM Development Tools
- Homescreen Plugins (Manilla, TouchWizz, Asus Glide, BatteryMetter, etc)
- Ported Applications
- xda-dev Applications
- xda-dev Games
- Applications Hacking (?)
- Development Resources & Tips & Tricks
What if i ported a today plugin, then where would i put it?
This is just a small example but it illustrates my point that things can get messy upon where things go. Keeping one section keeps it simple and easy.
I understand both sides, but it seems that this point will be argued for a while longer, as it has been for the last few months.
I think the biggest problem is there are always themes coming out since newer apps are coming out with the ability to skin them. Personally, I would have to vote with the splitting of the two main sections since it is starting to grow a lot. On the other hand, they do fit together since a theme could be categorized as a "hack". But, the more and more the section grows, the harder it will be to find things. Considering all of the hard work and effort put into to these custom themes, a new section set for those who create the themes would be nice.
EDIT: lol DAMN! I thought the discussion was about themes and apps, my point still stands though.
joel2009 the list is just a suggestion - it may be modified.. What I wanted to underline is that the "Development and Hacking" forum is growing day by day, making harder to find interesting threads.
The faster you organize the information the better. If not, later the forum will grow so much that will be very hard to watch + the job to move the thousands of topics..
TheChampJT is right..
I think the real issue is that most users don't realize the amount of time it takes just to keep the forum as organized as it is. Splitting the hacking & development forum would require us to watch 7 threads instead of one, which honestly is a pretty full job in and of itself at this point.
Joel does a good job of drawing attention to how confusing it will be for users wanting to post new information. I know it's really frustrating to certain users to have to read through a couple pages of threads to find the one they're looking for, but it really is the simplest solution.
I think one issues that has been side stepped is that there really aren't a lot of developers asking us to split this stuff up. It's easy enough, and simple enough for them to use, especially after all the great work done by the Q & A team to clean it up. I find it pretty easy to find what i'm looking for in the thread now.
I think the thing that would help more than anything to simplify things for users would be for all threads to adopt the proper naming of their threads. Then it would be easy to see what threads are themes, what are apps, what are games. Unfortunately, the application of proper naming is very inconsistent.
Ultimately I feel that splitting the forums would cause more confusion, more frustration, and more work, so at this point I think it best to leave things as they are until we come up with a better solution.
Going to keep my post very short, the way XDA is split up is to help users to which commonly end up posting in the wrong sections as it is, the more sections we have the more confusion of posters, then we have the mods who have a hard enough time as it is trying to sift out the "wrong posters" so what was my point again? Lets keep things simple so simple peeps don't post in the wrong sections and the mods don't get over worked for there voluntary position
So, as some of you may know, XDA has created some general Android Sub forums on the main page of the site. One of these sub forums happens to be one named Android Themes.
I have been reviewing the android theme forums for the different devices and have found that about 99% of android themes are located in one sub forum, the android Dream forum(where it all began).
Starting Today, 11/24/2009, every android theme needs to be posted here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=527
Make sure that if your theme can only be run on one device that is labeled appropriately. If the theme can ONLY be run on one specific device then you can, for now, keep it in its own specific theme forum.
Otherwise, all other themes need to be placed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=527
(yes I said it twice)
Starting today I will start moving themes into that sub forum. I will leave an expiring redirect for 10 days.
Please help organize XDA so we have more space to put other phones that interest us
Thanks,
Stephen
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=527
Firstly thank you for putting my TallMin icons the main site, very much appreciated. I have a question (posting so that I won't get banned if I'm doing wrong). I understand that people won't go into a different phone forum to check for icons, so am I ok to post multiple threads showing my icons?
For instance 1 on the desire themes section, and one in the nexus one themes section?
As I said I have already created these, but if it is deemed to be spam in your eyes please do let me know and I'll remove the extra threads asap.
Thanks
Your welcome
You can post threads to your work with no problem, just be sure you don´t double post the same work on different sections.
it is the same work though, but only posting it in one phone section sort of cuts out a whole lot of people who would also be interested. I couldn't find anything in the rules about this so thought it best to clarify directly.
(I've also seen people post same work in multiple phone sections so this is why i thought it should be ok)
This forum is so big that it´s almost impossible to be aware of all threads and posts. XDA rules mention no double posting/thread is allowed.
I got your point and for that you can use a better section to publish your work like:
Windows Mobile Themes
(Themes and skins for Windows Mobile devices)
Or
Windows Mobile Apps and Games
(Applications and games created by xda-developers users for use on Windows Mobile. No commercial apps/games allowed.)
So no matter what device, you can have one single thread containing all resolutions or specific devices.
I see thanks. Quite a few of the threads already have replies in, I'm almost certain some of those replies are from people that would have not seen the post if it only existed in the forums you mentioned. So I have to disagree with that rule, but will of course abide by it.
didn't know this was a rule but I suppose it does make sense,
Sent from my HTC Super Hero using XDA App which doesn't have the word iPhone in its vocabulary, and I wish I didn't either all on my custom baked Rom
Im in the market for some new themes. Anyone have any favorites? I also remember a Chrome theme that was in development several months ago. Anyone know of that specific theme, if it is done or not?
best place i would say to look is the thread in the theme/apps section.
not sure how up to date it is, but i remember it being pretty full of theme threads.
lunar ui, darkjelly, blue infinitum inverted...to name a few
Zepius said:
best place i would say to look is the thread in the theme/apps section.
not sure how up to date it is, but i remember it being pretty full of theme threads.
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Yeah, there are a couple threads that index themes.
Actually there is a HUGE forum with a compliation list of CM10 themes over in the Android Development and Hacking > Android Themes
Here is the MEGA THREAD with some 600+ themes
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801752
Themes are themes and almost every one works perfectly on the N7 (I haven't found one that doesn't). There was also a thread in the Apps and Themes section of the N7 forum about "Favorite N7 CM10 themes".
Touchwiz , sony , and LG themes from play store ; alpha blue theme from android theme section in XDA
This site when I downloaded Windows Mobile ROMs for friends was well structured and organized.
Now its a ****ing mess. Too many sections and too many sections inside sections inside subsections.
The visiting audience for this site has nothing to do with the original purpose of the site now. Times change and the site needs to evolve.
First, all "old" devices/discussions/etc. need to be in a archive section (maybe even read only). If people want older information, they can search in there. Hell maybe even a "http://archive.xda-developers.com" site is neccesary.
XDA born projects (such as Xposed) should, with time, be given their own section as well.
Next, the general sections need to be cleaned up. They (Android, iPhone, Windows Phone) should have a General, Apps, Q&A, OS tweaking and thats about it. Also a "Classic section" might be in order: Blackberry and other OS (not based on Android) should be there as well
After that, all devices, with a 1 user base to a 10000000000000000000000 user base should have their own section. Users should be able to generate that section against a bot, or, XDA should read off some site (gsmarena) and generate a section off that when a phone is added. Later, XDA can decide to hide or read only that section (example, something gsmarena does a lot is if they hear a rumor, they add it like the Galaxy S9 is already on there problably. That section should be read only and/or hidden)
The site has become a horrible unorganized bloated mess and needs to be cleaned up.
The visiting audience for this site has nothing to do with the original purpose of the site now. Times change and the site needs to evolve.
First, all "old" devices/discussions/etc. need to be in a archive section (maybe even read only). If people want older information, they can search in there. Hell maybe even a "http://archive.xda-developers.com" site is neccesary.
This is already implemented. All older forums go into an archived section, but still accessible for users.
XDA born projects (such as Xposed) should, with time, be given their own section as well.
Already in place, have a look here: XDA Community Apps Popular sections like xposed have their own development section., Even Popular ROMS can have their own forum Custom ROM Central
Next, the general sections need to be cleaned up. They (Android, iPhone, Windows Phone) should have a General, Apps, Q&A, OS tweaking and thats about it. Also a "Classic section" might be in order: Blackberry and other OS (not based on Android) should be there as well
We dont currently support iphone, but do have general places already:
Android General
Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting
Android Software and Hacking General
Windows 10 Mobile
Just to name a few examples.
Considering we are the number one site for all things android, with a 6 million user base. We are setup very well. We do have a team of moderators to run the site, but we like users to help out and report things that are breaking our forum rules, or threads that are not in the correct sections, eg: questions not being put into Q&A forums.
Moderator Information,
Thread closed as member has posted this more than once.