"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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
I wish there was a general software section on the forum. Where you can put nice user software meant for many devices.
Is My wish your command?
You mean like this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=260
scotchua said:
You mean like this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=260
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well only developers can post there. And/or it has to be about "hacking and developing".
'Please refrain from posting unless you're a software developer or hardcore techie"
I posted a nice tool yesterday which had nothing to do with the above. Although it has been discussed.So I posted it it here in "general" I am not a (or the) developer either.
Much general software is spread around the forum. So you often end up with the same programs in several subforums which is not necessary
I like to see a subforum like "Software general" to post software which have nothing to do with the above but can be quite handy to have on your device,
Ofcourse. The device subforums have a "general" section. but not everybody is reading all "general" sections of every device while a program posted there an often be used on other devices too.
As per subject really...
Currently we only have the 'General' section but now the device is available perhaps we can enable other sub sections to avoid everything being posted here?
sh500 said:
As per subject really...
Currently we only have the 'General' section but now the device is available perhaps we can enable other sub sections to avoid everything being posted here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the mods will work on it dont worry, ... as soon as the legend reached the masses they created the ROM development subsection for it, expecting the same for the DESIRE
They normally have them up before the official release date. Yep, of course they will appear at some point.
Many people have this device now, I can see the General section getting flooded with alsorts!
About two pages of threads being updated quite frequently already, I think new sub-forums are in order.
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.
Hey guys, not sure if this is the right way to ask this, but when should we expect this forum to have grouped threads (i.e development and roms in one section, Q&A in another section, etc)? We are starting to build up a pretty good number of custom roms/kernels, and a few of them are getting lost in the pages as other questions and general posts come up.
Thanks Excited to see this community grow so fast so soon.
Hi, for now you can tap the color coded section at the top. IE. Development
I'm not sure of any other changes on the horizon...
dkcats3 said:
Hey guys, not sure if this is the right way to ask this, but when should we expect this forum to have grouped threads (i.e development and roms in one section, Q&A in another section, etc)? We are starting to build up a pretty good number of custom roms/kernels, and a few of them are getting lost in the pages as other questions and general posts come up.
Thanks Excited to see this community grow so fast so soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with us 100%. We need this so bad. Important questions are getting bumped out of view
@Burt Squirtz Are they important questions or dumb questions or posts about stuff that's been asked before but made a whole new post about? Like how many posts do we need stating that 11.2.7.7 is out? Or questions that simply require a quick Google search that will possibly yield a faster answer rather than waiting for someone to on here to post a response?
galaxys said:
Hi, for now you can tap the color coded section at the top. IE. Development
I'm not sure of any other changes on the horizon...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no way to filter by category in the mobile app (that I can find).
terlynn4 said:
There's no way to filter by category in the mobile app (that I can find).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your probably correct, I don't use the mobile app, but check the mobile app thread for verification...