Database Users

Sticky Topics ??

Would it be useful to have some sticky threads to stop us enthusiastic noobs asking the same questions.
e.g.
How to find out what firmware / revisions you have
How to back up and flash ROM / extended ROM
What's in the ROMs in the first place / How are they organised
Some kind of Rough Guide to the main features and differences in the ROM images that are uploaded to the site.
A guide to how Active Sync affects the other apps, (personally if I was interested in virus writing AS 4.0/1 seems to be a good basis for a killer virus, most of the destructive functions are working fine and none of the useful ones are working at all :roll: )
I'd like to play and modify my O2 XDA Mini-S but I haven't dared to yet until I fully understand what I'm doing first
I've found some superb info and advice here but could it be more effective (IMHO) if the more basic important stuff was easily accessible?
Kim

If you can suggest me some of the current threads, i can make them sticky. But i do not have the time to read through all posted threads....
Stefan

Thanks
I was thinking that maybe some of the sticky threads could be started from scratch by the more knowledgeable contributors to give the kind of "read this first" info I've been looking for, then they could be edited effectively to eliminate spurious posts etc.
I know that the best place for this should be the wiki but the one for the wizard is a bit sparse so far, maybe if useful threads are generated then their content could be transferred to the wiki once they are closed
Kim

If you can suggest me some of the current threads, i can make them sticky. But i do not have the time to read through all posted threads....
Stefan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These look like a good stickies for a start
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=33796
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=40284
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=35203
I'm no expert (yet :wink: ) so I don't know which would be the best suggestions
Does anyone else think this would be useful?
Kim

i disagree with stickys for several reasons. One being right when you enter the forum they're there and getting longer and longer. so you end up with a really off topic thread thats got some 50+pages on it.
Also you say you want it for "noobs"? since when do "noobs" read stickys or FAQ's? They just post they're question without even searching.

i disagree with stickys for several reasons. One being right when you enter the forum they're there and getting longer and longer. so you end up with a really off topic thread thats got some 50+pages on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you on that, OK so I don't mean threads, I mean closed posts with essential information written by people who already have the skills and know what they're talking about.
Also you say you want it for "noobs"? since when do "noobs" read stickys or FAQ's? They just post they're question without even searching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also true, but I mean noobs to XDA programming not to forum use in general.
I've searched for the info I want but it's so widely distributed and conflicting (and wanders off topic like you said already) that I think a definitive guide would be helpful; if it's stuck at the top of the forum for all to read then it is usually accurate because the Mods agree that it's useful.
Maybe noobs post stupid questions because they don't know they're stupid in the first place
Kim

There is a Wiki here. the only 2 sticky posts need to be (IMO anyway)
1) How to post (its already done for those who haven't read it!)
2) How to access the wiki & the FTP
Then the Wiki can be kept updated linking to good guide threads if required. Also any duplicate posts can be refered to the wiki with 1 reply and not have 1 million threads all about the same thing.

Experts Only!!!!

Don't let the title fool you. This thread is simply to get all users of this forum to that next level in mobile technology. There are a lot of questions being asked and they are not all being answered. I am here in this single thread to answer any questions that anyone may have. I would like to do it in an organinzed manner, so it will go as follows.
Questions will have a title of QUESTION:
Answers will have a tile of ANSWERS:
When a question is answered the person asking the original question will edit his first question post to say RESOLVED:
That way we can keep track of what has and hasn't been answered. Again this is a way for me to meet everyone and a way for us all to get a little bit further in our efforts to master this machine we call the pocket pc. Thanks!!!
Note: With some help I would like to keep a compliled list here of questions and answers so I will be the first question.
Question: How can I create a list with links to other pages in my thread?
Answer: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1111007&posted=1#post1111007

QUESTION:
RESOLVED:
How can I create a list with links to other pages in my thread?
ANSWER: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1111007&posted=1#post1111007

RESPONSE:
I don't understand, why it won't work. It is just like every other thread in this forum, except that I want to try to keep it organized. Thats all and as far as my first request, it was just a question that i needed an answer too and you supplied me with that. Thank you! See its working already.
PS. Don't forget your titles.

acshulk: have you spoken to any of the moderators about this?
I suggest that a much better act for you would be to assemble the questions and answers into a wiki page of FAQs. Yes people ask the same question often, but this thread will get lost amongst the 100s of new, irrelevant threads started every day. If we sticky this thread, it may assist in your utopian dream, but frankly, that's what the wiki is for.
The forum is the sludge washing through the river, to which the wiki is the nuggets of gold that we can dredge up and wear blinged upon our halo'd crowns.
V

I understand. If you want to take it down by all means go ahead. Just looking to do something productive. I have gotten a lot from this forum and just wanted to give a little back.

Acshulk: don't be disheartened! I'm just projecting because I sympathise... there are increasing numbers of noobs coming online, and they need consistent guidance on certain fundamental issues. So as I said, I agree with the idea, but I think that maintain a FAQ on the Wiki would be beneficial.
Please give thought to starting a wiki page in this vein. I'll make it a sticky post on the forum to ensure it gets read, if you can start compiling something...
V

Thanks a lot, but how exactly do you set up a wiki. I would love to get that started.

Not a wiki. THE wiki.
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/
I don't use the wiki much myself, but have a read through this to get started:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=TextFormattingRules
and
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=PhpWikiDocumentation&action=BackLinks
V

Less than 10 posts

Hi, I\m a member for many months now and still cannot interact with the forum of my rom. They want at least 10 posts. What to do if I have nothing to say outside my rom? There are questions asked by people I would like to answer and cannot yet. This policy needs reconsideration - I think.

shennar said:
Hi, I\m a member for many months now and still cannot interact with the forum of my rom. They want at least 10 posts. What to do if I have nothing to say outside my rom? There are questions asked by people I would like to answer and cannot yet. This policy needs reconsideration - I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...why not go through the Q&A section and answer people's questions? Thus getting 10 posts (without spamming, and by actively contributing to the community) and then you can answer/ask more questions. I partially agree that time could be a better indicator of whether or not someone should be allowed to post in the development section, but there has to be some system by which the forums can be free of 'how do I install this ROM' questions or similarly stupid questions which could be answered by using the search function.
Speaking of the search function, I think there is a thread about this in the 'about XDA-Developers' or 'General' section

or at least allow selective forum access. I need the thread of HD2 Boypcc Nand roms.

OK you win on this. I didn't search for this specific. I searched now, found some similar complaints but not very much like my viewpoint.
About searching, in fact I searched and read and learned too too much (and donated) without asking a single question yet. To post in generic forums I'd love to, but I don't see really serious stuff (for me) to discuss outside ROM. OK 6 down 4 to go

I agree. The policy might need reconsideration but it is not really important though. 10 posts are mighty easy to achieve. Try answering questions in the QnA thread. However, if you really are unaware of how to solve member's problems and queries, you can always hang around and have some fun in the off topic thread. In that way, you will be able to achieve your target. Its not exactly how you might want your first 10 posts, but if you get to interact with your forum,then you will be able to gain more knowledge and a better understanding. Then you can truly start helping people after that.

kawshigan said:
I agree. The policy might need reconsideration but it is not really important though. 10 posts are mighty easy to achieve. Try answering questions in the QnA thread. However, if you really are unaware of how to solve member's problems and queries, you can always hang around and have some fun in the off topic thread. In that way, you will be able to achieve your target. Its not exactly how you might want your first 10 posts, but if you get to interact with your forum,then you will be able to gain more knowledge and a better understanding. Then you can truly start helping people after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK OK gentlemen, I did, I found 3 questions to answer and did. Now this is post 10 , lets see if done yet.

shennar said:
OK you win on this. I didn't search for this specific. I searched now, found some similar complaints but not very much like my viewpoint.
About searching, in fact I searched and read and learned too too much (and donated) without asking a single question yet. To post in generic forums I'd love to, but I don't see really serious stuff (for me) to discuss outside ROM. OK 6 down 4 to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol well obviously you didn't ask questions, otherwise you would have more posts
But I respect having no posts but having a membership for a year (and actually using the forums) much more than having 5billion useless posts without having helped anyone.

thread closed because is not related to HD2 Android ... for further information please go here. Regards,
12's tutorial on how to get your postcount above 10:
Keep in mind that only people we the genuine intent to post one of their developmental projects or with a (well explained) bug report NEED a postcount above 10. Nonetheless I'll give you some guidelines on how to achieve this goal in a community accepted way:
Read the stickies in About xda-developers.com
Read this thread
Read the stickies in Questions and Answers, ask a question there about the site or anything general should anything be unclear to you
Try to answer 2 or 3 questions there
Read the stickies in your forum for your favorite device
If you have any news on the device post it in general
If you have any questions about a hack, app, ROM or theme pop into that thread and ask a question or leave a message
Check out your device specific Questions and Answers (if it has one, otherwise check out General). With everything you have learned so far you should well be able to help a few more people there
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] S4 questions please help

Hi all I'm new to android and have been reading a ton
But have a few question?
1. I have a bell s4 Smg-i337 with latest firmware (I believe moto chopper will not work)
But think cw autoroot root method works
Am I correct or how can I root with latest firmware
2. If I install GE rom will it use less storage
(Right now Touchwiz only give my phone like 9.2gb but I read the GE editions s4 doesn't use up as much space)
So will flashing a rom free up space ?
3. Is removing bloat ware bad previously I would just freeze the app but I'm curious about removing it (I read somewhere that if u remove it it screws up ur phone for updates ?
Is that true?
That's all for now thank you

duboisbrian said:
Hi all I'm new to android and have been reading a ton
But have a few question?
1. I have a bell s4 Smg-i337 with latest firmware (I believe moto chopper will not work)
But think cw 10.2 root method works
Am I correct or how can I root with latest firmware
2. If I install GE rom will it use less storage
(Right now Touchwiz only give my phone like 9.2gb but I read the GE editions s4 doesn't use up as much space)
So will flashing a rom free up space ?
3. Is removing bloat ware bad previously I would just freeze the app but I'm curious about removing it (I read somewhere that if u remove it it screws up ur phone for updates ?
Is that true?
That's all for now thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read the XDA forum rules.
Questions should be posted in the Q & A section...
However,
before questions are posted in the Q &A section, you should search for already posted answers and look at the "similar suggested links" that appeared while you were posting your question.
I suggest you do what I posted above and also (very important) read the "pinned" threads in the "General" section to help you learn more about your phone. Good luck.
***Edit***
Ok, so you decided to only read the first part of what I said and make a duplicate thread in Q & A without reading the second part about searching and reading BEFORE posting in Q & A..you know, like the XDA rules state?
And for future reference, the little triangle in the top of your post can be used to notify the moderators that a thread needs to be moved to a different section. Making multiple posts is considered spamming.

Very sorry
Please delete thread
Thank you
Sorry

scott14719 said:
Please read the XDA forum rules.
Questions should be posted in the Q & A section...
However,
before questions are posted in the Q &A section, you should search for already posted answers and look at the "similar suggested links" that appeared while you were posting your question.
I suggest you do what I posted above and also (very important) read the "pinned" threads in the "General" section to help you learn more about your phone. Good luck.
***Edit***
Ok, so you decided to only read the first part of what I said and make a duplicate thread in Q & A without reading the second part about searching and reading BEFORE posting in Q & A..you know, like the XDA rules state?
And for future reference, the little triangle in the top of your post can be used to notify the moderators that a thread needs to be moved to a different section. Making multiple posts is considered spamming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I may say without you getting all upset..
These questions attract people to this forum, especially through Google. More people = more knowledge, through questions and answers. If more people come here donations would increase in my opinion.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium HD app

agent929 said:
If I may say without you getting all upset..
These questions attract people to this forum, especially through Google. More people = more knowledge, through questions and answers. If more people come here donations would increase in my opinion.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see what you are saying and there is no need to get upset, but the problem is that if these questions attract people to the forum, why didn't they attract people the first several times they were posted? The answer is because the people that are making these posts clearly didn't search or read in the first place or they would have seen that the question(s) have already been posted several times and they would have not felt the need to post the exact same question again. If these people were using Google to look for their answers here on XDA, they would be coming here to read about and learn about their issues (the links would show them the threads they need) but instead, they come here and post repetitive, already answered question. This tells me that they definitely are not searching in the first place. The Knowledge is already here and posting the same repetitive questions over and over again isn't increasing it. People aren't searching for it or reading about like they are supposed to (XDA rules). And those rules exist for a reason. 100 posts of the same question don't help anyone and slow down the overall usefulness of any forum. Donations are voluntary and, unless it is a bounty type of situation, are not anticipated. Any XDA developer will tell you that. And frankly, the people that don't take the time to search, read, and learn are not people that are giving donations to developers anyway.

scott14719 said:
I see what you are saying and there is no need to get upset, but the problem is that if these questions attract people to the forum, why didn't they attract people the first several times they were posted? The answer is because the people that are making these posts clearly didn't search or read in the first place or they would have seen that the question(s) have already been posted several times and they would have not felt the need to post the exact same question again. If these people were using Google to look for their answers here on XDA, they would be coming here to read about and learn about their issues (the links would show them the threads they need) but instead, they come here and post repetitive, already answered question. This tells me that they definitely are not searching in the first place. The Knowledge is already here and posting the same repetitive questions over and over again isn't increasing it. People aren't searching for it or reading about like they are supposed to (XDA rules). And those rules exist for a reason. 100 posts of the same question don't help anyone and slow down the overall usefulness of any forum. Donations are voluntary and, unless it is a bounty type of situation, are not anticipated. Any XDA developer will tell you that. And frankly, the people that don't take the time to search, read, and learn are not people that are giving donations to developers anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright that's fair. Never thought of that way. I try to donate when I can, but your definitely right about the donations.

I agree, it does attract people to the forum, but you do NOT need to post the issue in 2 threads, also, people get tired of seeing the same thing ask over and over, so read the rules of the site, because this is just plain shows laziness.

Its like if someone post something that has been said before and clutter the forum, it only makes the answered forum harder to search for because you have 1 answered forum against 30 unanswered cluttering up the forum pushing the 1 down and making it harder to find.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

This forum is a mess....

Guys this forum is a disaster, that single topic with like 2000 posts in it is ridiculous.
There needs to be more organization and breaking out of things into easier to digest and read.
Someone needs to LOCK that existing thread and force people to start new ones.
Am I the only one who thinks this?

Nope, I totally agree with you. It's really hard to find any info if it's not being discussed right now.

Welcome, newbie!
There's a good historical reason for that thread. It grew to well beyond 1000 pages before there even was an Android Auto forum, when it was the only place in common for discussing that type of unit.
Feel free to contribute to the wiki, and point people with common questions in that direction.
(And no, it doesn't need to be locked. Learn to use search)

I agree on the historical reason for it, but right now we have a whole section dedicated to Android Head Units. Maybe the thread doesn't need to be locked, but people do need to start creating different threads for issues and wuations and whatnot. It's really hard most of the time to find a solution to something on such a long thread (even using search).

I agree that one thread has all the solution but it scattered all over the place.

Having one thread for each product does not work well since your question can easily get buried by a few responses to some other question. The thread should be locked and a sticky created that links to specific posts/wiki entries or new threads.

No, that thread covers all the Hui-Fei type units, which share the same firmware images. The differences are minor. If you're looking for something, check the wiki first (the very first link in that thread!). If you don't find it there spend some time searching the thread and when you do find it, add it to the wiki.
The problem is not the thread, it's with people too lazy to take the time to search ("oh, instead of taking 5 or 10 minutes to search, it will only take me 1 minute to ask a question which has been asked 100 times before and get other people to do the work for me"). If all the posts which didn't trim what they were quoting, and all the posts asking things which had already been answered were removed, that thread would only be 1/4 the size. The thread isn't the problem, lazy people are.

I don't think the forum is a mess but I do think that some of the more popular head units do warrant their own sub forums.
I've just ordered a carpad for example and have had a fair go at reading most of that thread but it's not easy.
There are certain topics within that thread that would be easier to follow and encourage better collaboration if they were separate threads within a sub forum.
The search is all well and good but it's not great if you don't know what you don't know!