Related
This community is so damn innovative and cooperative, it amazes me what software/ROMS get cooked here which really add a lot of productivity value to me, transforming a tedious, hard-to-read Windows Mobile User Interface into a tool that really works on the go. And I've been equally impressed by the collaborative spirit of this community in problem solving and feature tweeks.
Thus I am curious if there is an organized policy here that helps us end-users deter the scammers who grab software from XDA-developers, bundle it, and sell it across the web. I'm speaking of a prominent spot on the home page and within the information design of these forums that, just like the "Missing Kids" alerts on milk cartons, highlights prominently the latest scammers stealing work here.
I understand this forum is for actual development, but truth is this issue gets lost in "General" forums. Because it's the people who hack here who are the people being hurt directly.
Though I signed onto XDA over a year ago, and have read volumes re my T-mobile MDA and software upgrades here, I ended up being nonetheless too nervous to follow the very clear instructions posted last year with all if the various WM 6 roms developed here. And I never did upgrade.
But I have a WING now, and I wanted an iphone theme and user interface. Again I read all the sticky threads for the Herald, as well as the links from the wiki for that specific phone. After several days of trying to figure out "should I be first flashing my T-mobile ROM to a more efficient one, before then seeking to install one of the iphone themes and apps like A_C's S2U2 etc. I then did a dumb consumer thing: when searching this site using Google, I followed the links to one or two of the GOOGLE AD-WORDS hawking an iPhone theme on your PocketPC.
Long story short, I got scammed of $10 for something that was outdated and didn't even install properly on my WING... But I'd been "comforted" by the presentation on their website, http://iphonethemeforpocketpc.com , thinking I would get my head cleared of the confusion that mounts when I'd dig down deep into the many discussions of so many ROMs & themes & apps here. I got burned, that was bad enough. But it then pissed me off doubly that superior software would be found here at XDA -- and more than likely some of that guy's component cab files were simply stolen from developers right here.
I ended up back here and successfully installed the ifonz theme, A_C's S2U2 (the scam site had an old slide2unlock version... bit as everyone here knows, A_C's app is superb. I also installed Contact Manager (amazing!), PCM keyboard (what an improvement over windows), and MortPlayer (fantastic). I intend to donate to each program author.
But the purpose of this post is this: I filed a dispute with PayPal (requires login) over this scammer's non-working product and absolute refusal to even reply to my early "friendly" emails seeking install help. Went through PayPal's Resolution Center "escalation process" -- after no reply from the seller to PayPal -- and my dispute became a CLAIM for Paypal to determine outcome. PayPal's reply, denying the claim, states that they reviewed all communications and investigated the issue fully (totally not true).
I could have stopped there -- afterall i'd long ago expended way more than $10 worth of my time -- but it was for the principle of it. So I called PayPal, went through all the menu-options, screenings, and hold queues, and finally spoke to an actual Resolution Agent -- who was very nice, & actually very helpful.
However: I learned then, from her, what many of you may already know -- but I wonder DOES everyone know?, because I sure didn't... She told me that anything digital or downloadable is not even covered with any Buyer Protection as disclosed in PayPal's terms of service. So the claim got closed automatically because it didn't qualify for any dispute resolution. I was really surprised by this, that no downloadable software is subject to dispute/resolution policies -- and that's why I am writing this thread, as a service (I *hope*) to all you developers.
I first did a search here on the boards for "scams", because I wanted to find a place on this site to DISPLAY CLEARLY---> Here is a scamsite --> make sure your stuff is not being sold there. That's when I saw this sampling of threads, below, and had to wonder, is there a policy here that is clear and easy to find (NO! not that I can see!) that helps developers here by giving us end-users a place to post the hit-list of scammers on ebay, on iphonetheme websites, etc. ?
If so, I missed it in the information design here. If not, I recommend it. I know it burns you guys who are being ripped off -- but it also ticks off less-sophisticated community members like me (end-users of your hard work) to see your works exploited -- given especially their innovation and performance tweeks.
Here are just a few of the threads I found from this year, from March 08, where people reported being ripped off by people selling their works. In my view, I don't think that's enough or sufficient to just have someone start a thread saying "beware of X, Y or Z". And that's why I posted this. Thanks to all of you who make the lives of end-users more productive with your great work.
q/s
Name And Shame Ebayer Stealing Xdev Material
Bastards selling my Unlocker
Thief On The Loose At Hofo and possibly xda!
wow.. no reply. well i know i'm verbose, but i thought this would at least get a reply that explained yes/no if the site has designated a specific area to broadcast who are the current scammers operating out on he internets...
Should I be posting this into a different forum? if so, which one please/ thanks
As far as I know, there is no area warning about potential scams. There have been issues with people selling cooked roms on ebay that i'm aware of, but that normally comes up in model-specific forums.
it definitely could be helpful to have such an area on the forum, but at the same time, there have been many stickies informing people NOT to go out and sell other peoples work, and advising people against using warez and cracked programs.
Most people that have come to this forum realize there is no reason to pay for most software, as there's probably an excellent free or open source alternative. if there's not yet, someone's working on one. this forum is a mix of entusiasts, programmers, hackers, and people who just love to tweak their devices. once you come here and see the vast amounts of information, there's really no need to go anywhere else. i check the xda forums rather regularly, and pocketpcfreeware every now and again.
i don't think a scams section on the forum would help keep from people getting scammed elsewhere... they usually find this site after they've already been scammed. many of us have already taken it into our own hands, by trying to point as many people as we can here, so they can learn the beauty of free, well maintained software and roms made by people who just want to help others enjoy their devices more and more.
scammers are more like a disease... and prevention is the best medicine.
alongenemylines said:
As far as I know, there is no area warning about potential scams. There have been issues with people selling cooked roms on ebay that i'm aware of, but that normally comes up in model-specific forums.
it definitely could be helpful to have such an area on the forum, but at the same time, there have been many stickies informing people NOT to go out and sell other peoples work, and advising people against using warez and cracked programs.
Most people that have come to this forum realize there is no reason to pay for most software, as there's probably an excellent free or open source alternative. if there's not yet, someone's working on one. this forum is a mix of entusiasts, programmers, hackers, and people who just love to tweak their devices. once you come here and see the vast amounts of information, there's really no need to go anywhere else. i check the xda forums rather regularly, and pocketpcfreeware every now and again.
i don't think a scams section on the forum would help keep from people getting scammed elsewhere... they usually find this site after they've already been scammed. many of us have already taken it into our own hands, by trying to point as many people as we can here, so they can learn the beauty of free, well maintained software and roms made by people who just want to help others enjoy their devices more and more.
scammers are more like a disease... and prevention is the best medicine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been instances where its come to the attention of the community here and the developers of ROMS and programs that their work is being packaged and sold on ebay and the like. Obviously this behavior is viewed very negatively. While there is no policy or "organized" efforts to monitor and react, when someone does point out an instance, the community members rally around and do what they can to call the guy out, and warn potential scammees of it. Ebay is often notified directly, and also comments on the sellers postings on ebay are made to warn.
And yes, your post is verbose
Hey,
As most of you know, I am the sole owner of touch innovation. I have done alot to this website (and I still have more to come). THe problem is, over the next half year I have alot of work ahead of me, that affects my future. But I don't particulary want to go into it.
I want someone that can look after and keep the site going for up to 6 months. I know you're thinking "What's the point in this, what do I get out of it?". Well, you get experience.
You'll get a weekly number of emails, submissions etc from people that use the website, you can monitor these, and help out there questions.
You can add programs from here etc.
Why Am I asking this?
I have spent months and months of coding this website (considering the website is only 4 months old, it's a lot of work). And I've hit a niche in the market, people want a website like this, and I am supplying them with one, but I need it to be updated while I am gone. Maybe some marketing (aka advertising) as well, so everything is running peak, and more users are coming.
This is a non-profit organisation, I make no money out of it.
I will pay the guy at the end (maybe), dependant on how much they have done to the website. And I want them to take it upon them self to make any adjustments. The site will potentially be yours for the half year (I will be checking up on it, and If there are some changes that are iffy, I will contact you about it).
It's good experience, and maybe helping me + the community out for a while.
Thanks guys,
-------------------
Okay, another idea, A team of people can request to be part of the team, and keep the site running well and keep it updated for the time I'm gone
Touch Innovation team (to-be's):
nir36
jackkkkk
Kenshino
jdiperla
AkshayGenius
Hannigan174
churka
Thanks for anyone who helps in advance, I will be up for giving a little price tag at the end, dependant on whether they've applied effort to maintain the site
No one?
I think it would be awesome to have this opportunity but I have no experience in html coding. Just the basics.
I thought I had replied to this :/
Erm, you dont need any html coding skills. You just need to know how to keep a website updated (using xda, and others) using my simple but easy and clever admin panel. Also advertise to keep hits up etc.
Napbree, I would gladly take this website, but i'm MEGAbusy with studies and work.
I suggest that instead of granting this website to another "sole" person, you create users in your admin panel and grant them to a few people who will keep it updated. I build websites and I can tell you that there's no way i'd be able to handle even one of those i've built, myself.
If a group of people are willing to help, I will be one of them.
I'll also try creating commercial opportunities for the website - profitwise.
I'd usually say "This is not the place to post these kind of posts.. use the Q&A section".. which comes naturally nowadays..
but considering the importance of this... I think we need this thread bumped up until you manage to get what you wish for.
Yes, that would be great. You've given me an awesome idea. A team of people that can mointor and keep the site up and running well, and content updated etc.
I'll start making a list of people who want to become part of the team
And if you could get a commercial opportunity, that would be amazing. I'd be up for selling it as well (maybe). It's just I want to keep the site of my hands for a while. Because my dad died only a week ago, and i'm entering a state of depression, and I need to get out into the world and keep myself busy.
Thanks
Someone?
I really like this site, and would like to see it continue.
Nathan has done such great job on developing this site, it would be shame, to see it gone waste!
So anyone who has motivation and some time to take this site under ownership, please contact nathan!
Ps. I'm one of admins of this site, and can tell you that it's really easy to update site, because of the nathan's clever admin panel. I would do it myself if i had the time, but my studies and and other projects takes too much time.
All friends of this site, let's get this thread bumped until we get some help for nathan
Firstly.. i'm sorry. Be well.
Secondly, I have some connections.. I can't promise anything but i might be able to get some advertisments going.. we'll see how it goes.
Also, if manage to get some time off .. sometime.. I'll create flash banners and put them up.
COUNT ME IN.
Thank you allevant
And nir36 thanks again, that would be mucho appreciated! very generous
I'm willing to help...
But I'm not sure if I got any use thou as I got no tech experiences or running a website.
My best experience is being a gaming forum moderator and basic computer/pda knowledge.
But, if you think I'm a good canadiate please let me know as I would like to help in anyways.
You don't really need experience in running a site. As long as you can spend some time on the admin panel to add content, it's all good.
I've added you to the to-be team , hope you don't mind.
Thanks! future for the site is looking brighter this is just a bump post
I'll bump your bump
Dear Napbree,
I am an Application Consultant and actually my job consists of making corporate websites for government entities.
Websites I've done include (not exhaustive list)
http://www.infocommsingapore.sg/industry/
and
http://www.infocommsingapore.sg/games
Same domain but totally different things.
So do count me in if you need help running the website.
I am certified in JAVA (Have Sun Certified Java Programmer and Developer certs) and am proficient in both JSP and Applications.
Currently I am writing CMS based websites using PHP, CSS, HTML and Javascript.
I can definitely write some code to add more cool functionality to your website
I'll bumb your bumbing my bumb
Hi Kenshino,
Application consultant heh, nice!
At the moment, I will be able to code up new sections for the site, for example, the new update that will come sooner or later (when I have time to finish it), has live submission, which means users can instantly add applications, as long as it applies with a few of my automated checks.
But if you have any ideas, and you want to code them up, you can definately! But I wouldn't be able to give source code, but you can code it seperately and then I can incoroporate it nicely
Thank you lots for your interest
Nathan
Hey, I volunteer too. I am a PC administrator and had had success in hosting my own sites in the past as well as prior administration duties to games like http://www.swcombine.com
Sounds great
Added you to the list, I will contact you all in the future, once I have a nice big list of contributors
Thanks
let's keep this on top.
Very important:
Respect the rules of XDA.. post like you thought about it, not out of rage.
I do not want to promote/help this guy.
There is a fine line between this and simply informing people.
I think the latter is worth the risk.
OP was cleaned up since its getting so much attention now
5/17/11 synopsis:
The Android Community rallied. A lot was accomplished. But, we haven't succeeded.
Make Wednesday even better. Tweet, write articles and submit them to sites, post on facebook, just do something.
Site was/is down... but because he took it down for maintenance. Not his ISP shutting him down.
ARTICLES PUBLISHED FROM OUR EFFORTS (And growing....):
UncutAndroid published it first, they tell it how it is and let users speak their mind.
AndoidSPIN Much respect for them too!
Voice Of Android Found me a new site!
RESULTS?!?!
His site is currently down...
Our developers (some who have not been around in a long time) and some who used to feud are ALL working together
and of course the below work...
Thanks to the community and XDA user andyharney we have ("You are" is directed at akaskriller, obviously):
You are in breach of Apache Software License Version 2 & GNU General Public License Version 2.
You are in breach of your AdSense account by hosting copyrighted material, you have been reported
You have been reported to Gameloft for hosting their pirated/warez apps, they have notified their legal dept.
You have been reported to your web host for hosting & distributing pirated/warez apps.
You have been reported to Paypal for profiteering off pirated/warez apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WAIT, WHAT'S GOING DOWN?
Recently in one of my guides, a user who apparently did not understand the intent of the thread, starting going off on me that my thread should be deleted... and started singing the praises of AkaSkriller. I thought this guy was a thing of the past. Nope, he has only gotten bigger.
Most people know this guy is a Fraud... he takes the work of our developers (roms, themes, free/paid apps and posts it on his site... behind a $5 donate wall ( $5/month for ACCESS to others work ).
Read some of the below posts where developers have already posted conversations with this guy.... it's sad panda time here.
Not enough, read the lashing he took trying to "apologize" *fake/lying*
Master (Axura ROM) stated that he spoke with AkaSkriller about removing his ROM and he was told he would simply edit the build.prop as to be a different ROM... as if by editing this, it was somehow no longer Master's work!! Since then, there are just more developers supporting this....
This outraged me. I truly respect ALL of our developers, and this is just ONE example of probably 100's where this guy and his site have taken advantage of those in our community who are NOT familiar.
Sooooo........
I propose we do ANOTHER #NeverAgain Twitter campaign where we send out tweets telling people to not use this guys site... we inform people the $5 "donate" for access to files is absurd... and we try and point people to sites like XDA!
A place where we are truly geared to helping our developers/community
(not to make money off noobs).
Here is his site. I only link to it so you can see just how absurd it is. DO NOT give this guy any of your money.
ACTION:
Send out a tweet about it...
Post on your Facebook about it....
Email or send a tweet to other Android sites and ask them to tweet about it....
Sample Tweet (copy and paste if you like):
Sites requiring a donation for access to others work is wrong. Read this: http://goo.gl/l7vSO
I realize some of you think this is crazy/pointless. But it bothers me to have an element like that in a community I really do love.
And yes, I have a "Donate to Me" button. Only because someone volunteered to give me a donation before I had a link.
I've received MAYBE $30... imagine how much I could make on a site like that (near 600 thanks and I am NOT a developer)!
lets play the "I see $5 this many times" game... Maybe just a "thanks button" would work? Nagh, lets make a whole section.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
...
We could also warn new users/subscribers of his YouTube account by posting comments on his profile page/videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/akaskriller
Edit: I found his real name (David Barkley) and his Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/akamilkweed?sk=wall) if anyone wants to go an evil route, use social engineering, etc to screw with him outside of the internet as revenge.
Good stuff. I may need to edit the title. I don't want to HURT him, more just want to prevent people new to Android/unfamiliar to think what he is doing is acceptable.
Posting on social media its a great tool, inc twitter/facebook/youtube, etc
I have asked popular android blogs to write about it today, here is hoping they care about the community as much as I do.
I'm on board, for no other reason than he charges for people to be able to get to his DL section to get his kanged and stolen roms. That, asking for payment, as per the Apache Open Source Licensing agreement that binds all Android OS builds, is absolutely illegal.
Edit - posted to my facebook, I was emailing with an admin on AndroidSpin yesterday, going to email him now and see if he will get this posted on AndroidSpin
Edit - AndroidSpin admin emailed
Here is some of what he has said to me via email in the past.
"you have put my life and my family life in danger" (How exactly would I have done that..?)
"my post have been change and now ill just really right all the roms u post and make them mine"
..and when I asked him to take the pirated apps off of his site he replied.
"sir thos are all app that are in 4share.com so go bug them ok
your mean"
"dude calm down hater"
I m on board I looked around on his website........... he is just copying other people stuff...........
These type of guys .....they are like weeds in my yard. Always popping up.
Remember all the hurt and problems He will now have are a result of his actions not ours.
Master™ said:
Here is some of what he has said to me via email in the past.
"you have put my life and my family life in danger" (How exactly would I have done that..?)
"my post have been change and now ill just really right all the roms u post and make them mine"
..and when I asked him to take the pirated apps off of his site he replied.
"sir thos are all app that are in 4share.com so go bug them ok
your mean"
"dude calm down hater"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa, there's a voice I haven't heard in a while. How ya been?
Master™ said:
Here is some of what he has said to me via email in the past.
"you have put my life and my family life in danger" (How exactly would I have done that..?)
"my post have been change and now ill just really right all the roms u post and make them mine"
..and when I asked him to take the pirated apps off of his site he replied.
"sir thos are all app that are in 4share.com so go bug them ok
your mean"
"dude calm down hater"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He could use some lessons in grammar and syntax as well..........
Youtube account
I posted this message on his Youtube subscription page:
"All this guy does is STEAL other developer's work and put it behind a paywall. Don't believe me? Go to XDA forums and find all these ROMs and support for FREE!!!"
It may get deleted, but if everyone on here does the same, it will warn all the noobs that something is up.
I've reached my Thanks limit.. but truly grateful. I feel with enough social media effort we can really help.
For those not familar, my first #NeverAgain campaign was against Samsung.... shortly after, I received calls from them, they were following me on twitter and VERY soon after Froyo was given to us via kies.
my point? To my surprise, it really did work in my opinion (and others).
oka1 said:
He could use some lessons in grammar and syntax as well..........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He does that on purpose. I've also had email conversations with him in the past when the first round of threads started about him. He pretends to not speak very good English. But just have a listen to his video, he seems to speak pretty good English in fact.
He will pretend to be a nice guy. Months ago during our email conversation, I talked him into making an apology thread here, which he did. I told him no one is trying to hurt him, Devs just want their credit.
This is the best thing we can do, just warn any new commers to not go and get robbed $5 a month for his stolen ROMS.
eminembdg said:
He does that on purpose. I've also had email conversations with him in the past when the first round of threads started about him. He pretends to not speak very good English. But just have a listen to his video, he seems to speak pretty good English in fact.
He will pretend to be a nice guy. Months ago during our email conversation, I talked him into making an apology thread here, which he did. I told him no one is trying to hurt him, Devs just want their credit.
This is the best thing we can do, just warn any new commers to not go and get robbed $5 a month for his stolen ROMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly... our community is exponentially growing... people will continue to fall for this trap.
s15274n said:
I've reached my Thanks limit.. but truly grateful. I feel with enough social media effort we can really help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so, this guy, who blatantly ignores the Licensing laws, seriously gets me out of my ZenDroid, and makes me /rage. I think if we can make this a big enough issue, something may be done by people more powerful than us, like Google who actually releases the software under the Apache Licensing terms. I know thats thinking on a grand scale, but its obvious this guy won't listen to us.
s15274n said:
I've reached my Thanks limit.. but truly grateful. I feel with enough social media effort we can really help.
For those not familar, my first #NeverAgain campaign was against Samsung.... shortly after, I received calls from them, they were following me on twitter and VERY soon after Froyo was given to us via kies.
my point? To my surprise, it really did work in my opinion (and others).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does and thank you for the catch and noticing this bad behavior so we all could help arresting it.
.....
I just submitted this to UncutAndroid:
I love Android. I love the Community.
Since my G1 days I have slowly evolved from total noob, to someone who helps answer questions daily on XDA, writing instructional guides, and now testing the waters in app development and theming. The reason I have progressed is the kindness of the community. Every themer/developer I have ever contacted has been so incredibly gracious with their time and sharing their talent. I truly respect these people – and you should too.
I say this so bluntly only because it’s that passion that fuels the article.
There are also many bad elements to the Android Community. The most notable in my opinion are the 3rd party paid app sites AND sites like www.akaskriller.com. I want to focus on the latter, but feel the need to point out those 3rd party app sites give you “free” paid apps, but they also give you App Permissions not requested by the original app – they are malicious.
Please do not be a self-inflicted victim over $0.99. You are on this site, you are smarter than that.
Back to my real intent here. For those not familiar, akaskriller is a site that has a nice front – and that is what it is, a front. They appear to be very genuine and caring, they act like they are helping developers, and they act like they want to help the Android noob.
Nothing could be further from the truth. They want money – money for others work.
Sites that offer others work (ROMs & Themes) behind a $5 donate wall (yes, you pay to get access) are wrong people. Not just wrong for those new to Android – those who genuinely need help and do not know better. But more importantly, it is wrong for the developers who work so hard to improve our phones, at no cost to us.
I am no expert on Apache/Licensing but I would have to assume paying/donating $5 for free software is wrong on a larger scale than I know how to address.
Those familiar with the Samsung Vibrant may recall a movement I suggested. It was called “#NeverAgain Samsung.” I proposed a social media blitz where we told Samsung on Twitter, blogs, Facebook and YouTube that we would not continue to buy their products if they would treat the Android Community the way they did – withholding updates and source.
Shortly after the movement started (and it grew FAST), I received calls from Samsung and they were following me on twitter Froyo and source was given to us via Kies. Perhaps due to our combined community efforts.
I am suggesting we have another outcry - an outcry that our community will not tolerate this. Let the community know this is wrong. I will not be formal and say “do this,” but do something.
Tweet about it, post on Facebook… heck, just tell a developer you appreciate them.
Since mentioning the idea of one developer has told me when he requested his ROM be removed from the site, he was told that they would simply change the build.prop so it was a “new ROM.” Taking away the work this developer did and making it their own.
This is wrong. Do something.
I am s15274n on XDA and you can find me on Twitter @CallipH. If you are noob and you want help, ask me and I will tell you if I can help, for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s15274n said:
I just submitted this to UncutAndroid:
I love Android. I love the Community.
Since my G1 days I have slowly evolved from total noob, to someone who helps answer questions daily on XDA, writing instructional guides, and now testing the waters in app development and theming. The reason I have progressed is the kindness of the community. Every themer/developer I have ever contacted has been so incredibly gracious with their time and sharing their talent. I truly respect these people – and you should too.
I say this so bluntly only because it’s that passion that fuels the article.
There are also many bad elements to the Android Community. The most notable in my opinion are the 3rd party paid app sites AND sites like www.akaskriller.com. I want to focus on the latter, but feel the need to point out those 3rd party app sites give you “free” paid apps, but they also give you App Permissions not requested by the original app – they are malicious.
Please do not be a self-inflicted victim over $0.99. You are on this site, you are smarter than that.
Back to my real intent here. For those not familiar, akaskriller is a site that has a nice front – and that is what it is, a front. They appear to be very genuine and caring, they act like they are helping developers, and they act like they want to help the Android noob.
Nothing could be further from the truth. They want money – money for others work.
Sites that offer others work (ROMs & Themes) behind a $5 donate wall (yes, you pay to get access) are wrong people. Not just wrong for those new to Android – those who genuinely need help and do not know better. But more importantly, it is wrong for the developers who work so hard to improve our phones, at no cost to us.
I am no expert on Apache/Licensing but I would have to assume paying/donating $5 for free software is wrong on a larger scale than I know how to address.
Those familiar with the Samsung Vibrant may recall a movement I suggested. It was called “#NeverAgain Samsung.” I proposed a social media blitz where we told Samsung on Twitter, blogs, Facebook and YouTube that we would not continue to buy their products if they would treat the Android Community the way they did – withholding updates and source.
Shortly after the movement started (and it grew FAST), I received calls from Samsung and they were following me on twitter Froyo and source was given to us via Kies. Perhaps due to our combined community efforts.
I am suggesting we have another outcry - an outcry that our community will not tolerate this. Let the community know this is wrong. I will not be formal and say “do this,” but do something.
Tweet about it, post on Facebook… heck, just tell a developer you appreciate them.
Since mentioning the idea of one developer has told me when he requested his ROM be removed from the site, he was told that they would simply change the build.prop so it was a “new ROM.” Taking away the work this developer did and making it their own.
This is wrong. Do something.
I am s15274n on XDA and you can find me on Twitter @CallipH. If you are noob and you want help, ask me and I will tell you if I can help, for free.
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Very well said. I would urge you to submit that as an article to AndroidSpin as well. I haven't had the time to type up anything as eloquent as the way you put it.
I put a post about this on the edt site. Helping out in anyway I can. I would blow him up with social network sites, but I don't belong to any.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Br1cK'd said:
Very well said. I would urge you to submit that as an article to AndroidSpin as well. I haven't had the time to type up anything as eloquent as the way you put it.
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Ahh, I hit them up on twitter but I just submitted the article to them as well. Good call, they are very good to the Vibrant forums.
^ Thanks for posting on EDT man!!
Thank you all for informing us of this situation. It really makes me mad to see someone take what someone else has worked so hard on, and try and make it there "own". I really appreciate all the hard work our dev's do, and donate and pay for apps.
Have posted on Twitter.
thanks again for the information!
I didn't realize AkaSkriller was such a great themer!
Hello! I've come in contact with Greg Kumparak who wrote this arictle. I sent him the following email:
Hey Greg!
First off, i wanted to say after joining twitter just minutes ago, I was scrolling through your tweets and found them very funny and helpful.
Next, I was reading an article you wrote involving conflipper and the Microsoft Kin. To jog your memory, the Kin is the disaster phone Microsoft intended to market for teens. I have also been fairly active in a group at XDA Developers attempting to crack the Kin Two phone now sold by Verizon. There have been significant advances toward the ability to write and edit files on the phone itself. I'm sure you'll find our endeavorvery interesting and I'd be happy to explain all the details. In a nutshell: the phone is more secure normal phones, runs off a form of Win7Mobile, is sold as a "feature phone", and, without a doubt, has potential to rival smart phones. Of course, since the phone uses WiFi, these abilities (one could say, smartphone-like) do not require a data package. If thats not bang for the buck, I don't know what is.
Anyway, I'd like to know If you think the story of this phone and its ability to have apps is worth writing an article on. Some pretty exciting things are going on with the device, currently there is a facebook group getting in contact with Personal Communications Devices (company) and a group of HTML experts writing our free version of Microsoft old cloud system for the kin, kin.com.
If you dont think this article can make it, I understand. Either way, however, I was hoping you could give me an email address for conflipper because I'd like to shoot him an email asking about what he found in the kin ROMs and how he got in.
Thanks for you'r time, I'm sure your a busy man,
(My Name Here)
He replied minutes later by saying something alone the lines of "I'm interesting and want more details" (I dont want to quote him w/o permission). He also informed me that conflipper is retired and his old site is here. I would like to set up a skype/phone chat with Greg for the mutual benefit of us both. In his favor, he is interested and would possibly like to write an article about our homebrews. To the benefit of us, I'm sure he has many contacts and a published article could attract the attention we need.
I would like a few key people to be on the line with Greg in order to present all aspects of the Kin-Hacking World. Don't hesitate to mention anything I should be presenting to him. If you feel you should be included in the phonecall/skype please state why. I would like JohnKussack to be there also. EDIT: I plan to show him the concept document the dev group (from the facebook group) has on google docs.
Feel free to comment/leave your opinion.
Hey folks,
Long time user (and prior to that, long time lurker) on these forums - but today, I'm posting with a random, unusual request.
I'm trying to find Android fans in Los Angeles who may be available to help me with a little TV filming this coming Monday (26th June).
Long story short - my day job is as a TV reporter in Los Angeles.. I work for a global news channel called CGTN America (we broadcast out of Washington DC, Beijing and Nairobi to around about 1.2 billion homes worldwide.. including in the US on cable and satellite, though most of our viewers tend to come internationally)..
Since I'm a huge tech-head, I'm filming a story to go out later this week on ten years of the iPhone. But I want to make it different. What often happens with these stories is some networks get reporters who know nothing about technology to do them, and you end up with something that is just saying 'the iPhone is the most amazing device ever invented.'
Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on, it is an amazing device. And it did have a revolutionary impact. But there is so much to the story other than that.
One of the angles I really want to explore is the battle between iOS and Android. The way that the iPhone almost set the lines for a war. You see it on forums like this and XDA and Apple-related forums - people trying to outdo each other.. and people getting really irate as they nail their colors to the mast of their OS of choice.
I wondered if there may be some Android fans in the LA area who I could meet up with on Monday, if we can arrange a convenient time and we film a little sequence (details of which, I'm still to work out in my head) but talking about the iOS vs Android wars. This may be just Android users or it may an Android user and an iPhone user both debating what's best about their relevant OS.
It's still a germ of an idea. But I wanted to throw it out there and hope it gets seen over the weekend.
I'm gonna post this over on Android Central as well to try to maximize the number of people who see it and also on the General Android Chat Forum here. The reason for the double post is that in my experience, the real ire is often between Samsung and Apple fans (reflecting the companies, almost) and so there may be people in that board that this really appeals to..
Anyway, please do reply to me on here, or via DM, or via twitter @phillavelle.
Thanks for looking and have a great day!
Phil
Hi Phil,
I’d be happy to offer some of my time to you forthis endeavor. I’ve lurked on these forums since long before iOS or Android even existed. If you are indeed serious about this I can provide you with my full name which you can then quickly google to see my credentials.
I can play either side of the discussion as I have been a mobile technology consultant for about two decades and have owned (and still own and use both iOS and Android) devices from all major manufacturers.
- Luca
atomic.flip said:
Hi Phil,
I’d be happy to offer some of my time to you forthis endeavor. I’ve lurked on these forums since long before iOS or Android even existed. If you are indeed serious about this I can provide you with my full name which you can then quickly google to see my credentials.
I can play either side of the discussion as I have been a mobile technology consultant for about two decades and have owned (and still own and use both iOS and Android) devices from all major manufacturers.
- Luca
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Hello Luca, yes please, that would be great..
Thread closed.
This is a duplicate of this one below you already posted in General discussion > Off-topic:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...droid-fans-t3626634/post72789901#post72789901
So, please continue the discussion in the above linked thread.
This is not allowed to post twice (or more) the same message on XDA by forum rule #5:
5. Create a thread or post a message only once.
As a large forum, we don't need unnecessary clutter. You're free to edit your message as you like, so if you do not receive an answer, revisit your message and see if you can describe your problem better. Not everyone is online at the same time so it might take a while before you receive an answer.
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Full list of the rules here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/announcement.php?a=81
Thank you for your understanding.
Regards,
Wood Man
Forum Moderator