Database Users

xda-developers....proposal

"we should create a newbie forum!"
i ve seen this post in a discussion in reply to someone who was asking for some help and explications.
i do now understand the sarcastic and ironic nature of the reply,but i also would like to point out that is very difficult for beginners(same as me) to understand all of the terminology and issues that are going on in the forum.i believe is also problematic to find the answer some people are looking for (even trying with the search button) and almost inevitably, some questions end up in being asked twice or more by different users.
i know this is an informative as well as technical website but i personally find almost no differences between the "General discussion" or the "Programmers corner", and the forum end up in being instructive only for few and rather confusing for many.
So why not?why not create a newbie forum, like cynical suggested, or (this is my proposal) an explainatory page where listed all the vocabulary that you guys are using here?and maybe why not.... a catalog of all the stupid questions beginners like ma are afraid to ask..
this is only a suggestion and is not intended to be provocative at all...:wink:
ciao.
emiliano

I second that. I have asked a years worth of idiot's questions in the last 12 hours... Thanks for the idea.

We ought to have some sticky posts in that forum of the most common questions and step-by-step guides on troubleshooting. We should maybe start a list of possible topics on this thread.
I vote for:
1. How do I use the XDAtools program to change my ROM?
2. How do I use the XDAtools program for the "SD method" of flashing?
3. How do I upgrade my radio stack (be sure to mention how dangerous this can be )
4. How do I use a ROM kitchen?
5. I've screwed during flashing. How can I recover?
I know of few of these answers now, I can help if the mods are kind of busy. I'll stay away from #3 though

"Stickies" are a good idea first I think.
No-one like to go to 'newbie' forums (i would guess)....unless it was called 'start here first!' forum....but something would be good.
..lance

Searching for Modifications, Roms etc

Hi,
I like the new fast website!
I wondered whether we could have an FAQ or Link or Sticky with instructions on how to search for items.
Specifically I wanted to find out about overclocking issues with an XDA2i (Alpine), and I was surprised that seaching for Alpine and overclocking gave so few hits.
I am fairly naive on these matters so excuse me if I'm asking a daft question, or have missed something obvious. I just thought some example would help me and others.
Thanks

checkout here.... special thanks goes to pug!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=258480

Looking for fitting rom -->noob

hey guys,
im looking for all roms that would fit for my german o2 htc touch (elfin)
since im not really familiar with flashing my phone's rom id really appreciate your rom-offers i think i speak for the whole community if i request a list of available roms in the forums
additionally, id really love to know what cid etc are, because i dont have a clue whats important to know when im flashing my device.
thank you very much!

Try the forums for your phone instead of here.

SEARCH !!!!

Forum rules forbid to answer you as I want....
There are 2 words which would fit perfectly in this case....

What the HECK!!
This is becoming ridiculous!! You arent actually supposed to post question in this area period. It was created just for Software devs. And even after MODS and Especially the senior members took some sypathy toward ppl like this and started supporting the General PPC Questions thread, some ppl still do this stupid crap.
I understand that someone may have been able to actually search for an app, and not know the name, and therefore, couldn't actually find anything. But when you log on to this section, the very first thing you see , is GENERAL PPC QUESTIONS. I changed it yesterday to make sure there was no confusion about the qustions that could be posted there, and the word ROM was listed specifically.
Please , I am begging you, STOP ANSWERING THREADS LIKE THIS! I understand that alot of you are wanting and ready to help, but the more threads like this that get answered , the more they think they can get by with it. If I create a thread, ask a question, and let you do the work, why would I ever seach again. Oh , If you dont mind, check out the thread on top, and answer any questions you may be able to. Check out the new features to. It takes the work out of it. LOL

help getting started!

My t9193 hd2 comes in tomorrow, i plan to use it on the att network in new york. i was wondering if you guys could get me started with roms, themes and apps. i'm coming from an iphone 3gs so that in itself should tell you i am completely ignorant to the rom section here, thing looks like a foreign language to me. the seller i bought it from told me its been hard spl which in the iphone community i believe means jailbroken. so which rom and radio flash would suit my phone and network combo best. thanks in advance
ps. sorry its a bit selfish to post my own thread but some of these threads have so many pages to read through.

I'm afraid reading through the threads is the best way to get to know what is possible and what is not. I will give you a head start by suggesting that you read the following:
- Hints & Tip thread on here
- Flow through the Themes & Apps forum. Some very interesting items in there
- The wiki, again has some useful information.
- Check your ROM version and make sure it is the latest from your supplier.
- The ROM tutorials in the Rom Development section
If you need to search for items on here use this...http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=+site:http://forum.xda-developers.com&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all
I would spend the first few weeks getting to know your phone thoroughly first BEFORE making changes.
Good luck.
WB

[Q] Can Someone Please Merge These Threads?

Am I only one who visits XDA HD2 Windows Phone 7 thread, and 9 out of 10 threads are about the same thing.
At the same time mods and admins are moving threads, however this thread / category stays the same. At least 9 out of 10 of the threads on this page should be merged.
If you need help pm me, issue me mod privelages lol.
No Disrespect, can someone do something?

Quite agree - while the excitement around WP7 has dragged a lot of new users to these boards, their chronic inability to search, look beyond page one (not even sometimes) or assume that someone else might just conceivably have had the same problem is intensely frustrating.
Most days I visit here to find that someone has started a new thread for something that has been discussed ad nauseam elsewhere.
But what to do? Plastering the site with exhortations to search first doesn't seem to work. Gentle reminders around the groin and kidneys? Maybe merging threads is the kindest solution.
Is there any way that the site could pop up a dialog after someone clicks 'New Thread' with advice about searching and Continue/Cancel buttons?

It is like you said. ''the excitement''.
I say lets merge those threads and clean up the forum.
I agree on your statement

+1 for the proposal.
I´ve seen quite some nasty stuff, noobs asking the weirdest questions, instead of checking the stickies in each subforum. 99% of all important questions are answered there. But people are lazy.
The thing is that the tutorials how to get WP7 onto the HD2 is so easy, but getting rid of it or solving other issues is not that easy sometimes (even if it is easy once you read even only a little in the forums).
Best case is if they even ask for personal consulting via email.

too easy....
There already is a feature when you start to create a new thread that the subject is cross referecned against existing thread titles for similarities.
It cant get much easier than that....
I'm sure the excitement will calm down soon. The uptake of HD2 owners switching to WP7 must peak at some point?

+1, I agree with the OP.
Come on mods do your work!