Hey
I HATE trying to get applications from this forum, and that's because some apps are in the "Development and Hacking " and some in the phones categories. Which makes it hard finding THAT app you want. A smarter way making this work would have been making a
* "Windows - apps (only portrait)" &/or
* "Windows - apps (portrait and landscape)"
* (and a Andriod - apps category )
Sub-forum/category, and make people post their apps there. THEN tagging each app to their "home device" (probably the device the developer developed it for). The tagging would have done the work easier for the solution I want to propose, which is that each Mobile-category has the "Software" sub-folder, which load up those threads in the e.g: "Windows - apps (portrait and landscape)" which is tagged that specific device.
Like so, here is Raphael as an example:
RAPHAEL:
Raphael
CDMA
ROM development
Software [loads up the tagged treads from the "windows apps" categories]
Tweaks
Accessories
The developers have to make their apps in different versions for the VGA, WVGA ect. But this makes the users only happier. I hate to find my WonderAPP and then realize that its due to screensize not supported good enough.
And since I only have the Idea and can't develop, I'm just saying out loud. Hoping it's possible and doable.
If this method could have been a Daily used service, it would have been much easier to "beat" the " I loooooove the iPhone, its so much better for my daily 15 minutes of joy"-syndrome somebody apparently have (discussed in some sub-forums). Because I feel we don't need, as some people have mentioned, 20 apps doing the same. (And that's because they develop the programs in their "home-treads" and not in the Development and Hacking division. Which again leaves us to more alike apps. Just think if the 20 developers worked together on 1 or 2 apps, what a result we would have got.
And a extra thing would been nice, a category for "IDEAS, [UNDER DEVELOPMENT], ALPHA, BETA"-apps. So developers, who want to help, or need help have a "safe" and ONE "home" to come and visit.
[This category I do want, because I tried getting somebody to help me, with my ideas for some apps, and no responds.]
Best Regards
Fraction
As far as I know, the only software difference between Dream and Sapphire is kernel and driver stuff, neither of which effect themes at all.
So why not get rid of the Sappire themes forums completely and just provide a link (for convenience) to the Dream ones? The Hero themes might be identical as well?
I'm sure there are a few other discussions that can be shared between the various platforms too.
I only suggest this because this website is fairly slow (at least here) and having to search both the Dream and Sapphire themes topics can be quite frustrating.
All of my Oreo themes work for CM so if you are running that version of CyanogenMod you can use my themes for the G1. The same applies to any theme, they are just built for a specific rom, not hardware.
Thankyou for clarifying that. It's exactly what I'm getting at. Dream? Sapphire? Hero? It doesn't matter regarding themes because they are all interchangeable between these models. The themes forums for all 3 platforms (and any others that are compatible) should be merged so that it's easier to locate them.
Actually some Rom's are not yet for all Sapphire builds yet. Like the Hero's. There getting there just not yet
Because if someone comes here wanting to theme their Sapphire, and theres no dedicated section for it, the average person would probably be confused, then continue their search elsewhere.
I'm sure in this day and age we have the technical capacity to still make it seem like there is a "Sapphire themes and wallpapers" section, can simply link to to the "Dream themes and wallpapers" section transparently. I agree that it would be confusing for users to not find such a section at all.
My problem is that we have parallel discussions happening, which is a waste of time. It's also a waste of time having to search 2 sections in order to prevent parallel discussions happening. Why not simply merge them since we know for a fact that all the content within such a merged forum would apply equally to both for the benefit of all?
I agree. This is confusing. There are a LOT more themes available on here than what you see in this area because themes for Magic and G1 are also compatible.
Why don't we use tags for this?
From the FAQ:
Tags
What are tags?
Tags are a useful way to search for threads with similar subject matter and content. This complements the normal search system, which searches only for certain words or phrases and/or posts by specific users.
To use tags, you add words or phrases to threads to help describe the content. For instance, if the subject matter is 'photography' then you can add the tag 'photography' to the tag list. But you could also add tags like 'digital image', and 'camera' (depending, of course, on the nature of the thread).
This will categorize this thread with all other threads that have matching tags, whether or not they have the word 'photography' in them.
Who adds the tags?
Tags are initially added to threads by the user who started the thread. Other users may also be able to add and remove tags.
How do I use tags?
Tags are displayed in a box near the bottom of a thread page. Clicking on a tag will allow you to view other threads that have the same tag - and which may be related. Clicking on the word 'Tags' in the top of the box will take you to an overview page with a 'tag cloud.'
This cloud allows you to see which tags are the most popular - the larger the word, the more times it has been used on threads within the board. There is also another tag cloud on the advanced search page that shows you the tags that have been searched for (or clicked on) the most.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We could post a sticky listing the tags in use to be consistent. When you post a theme, you tag it. Relevant data would be:
Type (#theme
Theme name (#remix)
OS (#android)
Compatible ROM+build (#cyanogen4.0.4)
Compatible devices (#hero #sapphire #dream)
Then search tags instead of threads.
Vallyn: that's not a bad idea really. I've noticed there's already a convention in place for the title of a thread, which is almost as good as some minor tagging. I'm actually just now transitioning my data over to tags and it's actually a really cool way of doing things.
Convincing everyone to start using the tags can be tricky though. That may or may not be easier than possibly having to modify the layout or even backend of these forums to get a simple link in. /shrug
I first came here when I got my Galaxy Nexus, and I've largely stayed exclusively in the Galaxy Nexus forums so far, but some of the threads I've been following, most notably a couple of ICS launcher threads, have (understandably) since been moved to the general Android forums, and this has had 2 negative effects which I personally have noticed:
Every couple of pages, some idiot will wander in and say 'Hi, does this work on Android 2.x?', or even worse, 'Hi, I can't get this working on my [device running Android 2.x].'
When I go to the general Android forums, I find it very difficult to tell just by reading the topics what is applicable for my device and what isn't, and most of it, at this stage, isn't.
My suggestion for significantly reducing these issues is simple. We already have Windows Mobile (6.x), Windows Phone 7, and Windows 8 forums separated, why not separate Android, at least into 1.x, 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x forums. Alternatively, in order to keep version-independent things like apps and themes together, at least split the Software and Hacking forum into major versions, like the split between GSM and CDMA development forums for the Galaxy Nexus.
Also, I've just noticed another thing. The threads for the 3 ICS based launchers I'm aware of are all in different forums right now. Trebuchet is in Android Software Development, Nova Launcher is in Android Apps and Games (this doesn't seem right to me...), and Apex Launcher is still back in Galaxy Nexus Themes and Apps. They're all in similar stages of development, and they're all ICS based launchers, so they should all be in the same place, wherever it is that launchers should be placed. Personally, I think that launchers should end up in with the Android OS modding stuff (which I'm suggesting be split into versions), due to how integral a part of Android, and how reliant on a particular minimum version, they are. Throwing launchers in with sudoku apps doesn't seem right to me.
Agreed. I have always had difficulty figuring out if a ROM is Gingerbread, ICS, etc.
No doubt about that.
That's down to the developer to title the thread correctly. There shouldn't really be any ROM threads on here that don't have the core version number in the thread title.
As for noobs going into the thread and asking if it's 2.3.4 or 2.3.5 when it's actually 4.0.3, you can't stop that. It's always going to happen. When you see someone do something like that the best thing you can do is politely educate them in how they could have found out, without having to ask. It's surprising how many old threads where I've helped people are still helping people out!
Milamber33 said:
I first came here when I got my Galaxy Nexus, and I've largely stayed exclusively in the Galaxy Nexus forums so far, but some of the threads I've been following, most notably a couple of ICS launcher threads, have (understandably) since been moved to the general Android forums, and this has had 2 negative effects which I personally have noticed:
Every couple of pages, some idiot will wander in and say 'Hi, does this work on Android 2.x?', or even worse, 'Hi, I can't get this working on my [device running Android 2.x].'
When I go to the general Android forums, I find it very difficult to tell just by reading the topics what is applicable for my device and what isn't, and most of it, at this stage, isn't.
My suggestion for significantly reducing these issues is simple. We already have Windows Mobile (6.x), Windows Phone 7, and Windows 8 forums separated, why not separate Android, at least into 1.x, 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x forums. Alternatively, in order to keep version-independent things like apps and themes together, at least split the Software and Hacking forum into major versions, like the split between GSM and CDMA development forums for the Galaxy Nexus.
Also, I've just noticed another thing. The threads for the 3 ICS based launchers I'm aware of are all in different forums right now. Trebuchet is in Android Software Development, Nova Launcher is in Android Apps and Games (this doesn't seem right to me...), and Apex Launcher is still back in Galaxy Nexus Themes and Apps. They're all in similar stages of development, and they're all ICS based launchers, so they should all be in the same place, wherever it is that launchers should be placed. Personally, I think that launchers should end up in with the Android OS modding stuff (which I'm suggesting be split into versions), due to how integral a part of Android, and how reliant on a particular minimum version, they are. Throwing launchers in with sudoku apps doesn't seem right to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Archer answered your main question above this. I'm just going to address one point you made in here to back up your point. Windows Mobile 6.5, Windows Phone 7, and Windows 8 have different forums because they are all completely different operating systems. I know the names may be confusing to you, but Windows Mobile 6.5 is a completely different operating system from Windows Phone 7. Windows 8 is a desktop OS with growing support for tablets and ARM processor architecture like we have on most of our phones.
That being said, it isn't like in Android, where each version number corresponds to an update of the system. Whether it's Froyo, Gingerbread, Cupcake, Eclair, or ICS, it's all still Android. Windows Mobile is a different operating system from Windows Phone 7. They are both built on the same core, but outside of that, there is no similarity. It would be like comparing Mac OS to Linux just because they are both Unix based.
Archer said:
That's down to the developer to title the thread correctly. There shouldn't really be any ROM threads on here that don't have the core version number in the thread title.
As for noobs going into the thread and asking if it's 2.3.4 or 2.3.5 when it's actually 4.0.3, you can't stop that. It's always going to happen. When you see someone do something like that the best thing you can do is politely educate them in how they could have found out, without having to ask. It's surprising how many old threads where I've helped people are still helping people out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, I know it's never going to stop, but at least if it's in a dedicated ICS forum it should reduce it a decent amount.
cajunflavoredbob said:
Archer answered your main question above this. I'm just going to address one point you made in here to back up your point. Windows Mobile 6.5, Windows Phone 7, and Windows 8 have different forums because they are all completely different operating systems. I know the names may be confusing to you, but Windows Mobile 6.5 is a completely different operating system from Windows Phone 7. Windows 8 is a desktop OS with growing support for tablets and ARM processor architecture like we have on most of our phones.
That being said, it isn't like in Android, where each version number corresponds to an update of the system. Whether it's Froyo, Gingerbread, Cupcake, Eclair, or ICS, it's all still Android. Windows Mobile is a different operating system from Windows Phone 7. They are both built on the same core, but outside of that, there is no similarity. It would be like comparing Mac OS to Linux just because they are both Unix based.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken about the Windows Mobile/Phone stuff, but while I agree that there's no reason to separate some of the forums, certainly not the device specific ones, I think it would be good to make separate forums for the Android OS dev forum at least. ICS might not be as different from Gingerbread as Windows Mobile 6 is from Windows Phone 7, but a closer comparison would be that ICS is like Windows 7 while Gingerbread is like Windows XP. The same apps will (generally) run on both, but if you're dealing with tweaking the actual OS, the differences are significant enough to justify separating them into their own sections, IMO.
True, I know it's never going to stop, but at least if it's in a dedicated ICS forum it should reduce it a decent amount.
Point taken about the Windows Mobile/Phone stuff, but while I agree that there's no reason to separate some of the forums, certainly not the device specific ones, I think it would be good to make separate forums for the Android OS dev forum at least. ICS might not be as different from Gingerbread as Windows Mobile 6 is from Windows Phone 7, but a closer comparison would be that ICS is like Windows 7 while Gingerbread is like Windows XP. The same apps will (generally) run on both, but if you're dealing with tweaking the actual OS, the differences are significant enough to justify separating them into their own sections, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do see your point, but I disagree. It would be far simpler if devs would simply title their threads properly. There is (should) be a general naming convention set up as a sticky in every single dev forum. If not, PM any of that forum's mods to make one.
-- Sent from my TouchPad using Communities
Each to their own, I guess.
And with regards to the three ICS launchers all being in different places, where is the proper place for launchers? Where would you expect to find them?
There are several similar threads in other device forums so I thought why not start one here. If the mods think this is in the wrong section or a bad idea please delete.
Okay so as of the time of this posting there is no "Galaxy S3 XBMC" specific version so I'm using one of the generic builds. "xbmcapp-armeabi-v7a-debug-20120714.apk" is the name of the one I found. Link
Works:
Pretty much everything "works". I haven't found any features that just refuse to execute.
Bugs:
mkv video playback is extremely choppy. Sound is perfect.
tiny menu items sometimes have to be long pressed slightly before they register. (In other words, fat fingers beware).
*edit* - It looks like they were aware of this when they released and are encouraging skinners to rewrite skins for specific devices. There is already an included theme called "touched" that addresses many of these issues.
That's it for now. I'll keep monitoring this thread and post updates to the OP if possible.
Where is the link? I've been waiting years to get xbmc on android.
This is an app and should be in the themes and apps subforum.
I apologize. Mods, please place this in the correct section.
@busties link
Just curious, does anyone actually use those launcher apps in the Play store that theme the home screen, create the grids, lay widgets etc. Ones that come to mind are Buzz and Themer, they get reasonable reviews on Play but they rarely get mentioned on XDA.
Just wanted some opinions on them. Apologies if this is posted in the wrong forum.
I understand the obvious attraction is the ease of use for changing a homescreen in a few clicks, if like me you don't have a creative flair to make Nova look cool.
Thanks.,
Although I understand why you originally posted this to Q&A, I've moved this to Themes and Apps because the rules say, "For the posting of Themes and / or Apps as well as announcements & discussions ..."
I've personally used Themer, Buzz, and Aviate and they were too different for me personally to get used to. So, I tend to stick to Sense or Nova.
The only one-click theming app I've used was Themer for a couple of months when it was first released.
Before using Themer, I'd either use Apex or Nova and spend the time to create a customized homescreen from scratch but found I had less and less free time available to get it all set up. That's when Themer stepped in and was pretty much ideal, at the time.
As I prefer a proper customized experience though, I stopped using it after a couple of months and went back to making my own set up with Apex/Nova.
Perhaps the reason you don't see Themer mentioned as much around the forums is because it has its own app forum?