I agree with the votes for an App. But I dont think you would have to download everything locally to use an app.. make it configurable so you can specify a server that stores OEMs and have maybe a file at the root of that server this program would use to display what OEMs are available and then when checked would download them as needed, and maybe keep local copy of OEMs for the last baked rom and a config so you could just reload it and tweak it if needed.

-D

About as quickly as I hit the Post Reply button and walked away I had remembered the fate of the XDA site.

That folks is the only reason I can think of for not having this web based.

Otherwise, it's just a matter of not having the resources to make this rise to greatness. This time "good enough", will just have to be good enough.


Everything else is just whining about not having resources to make it happen and sustain it.

Application based- will share many of the same problems, as many of you know, and some of you will come to find.


Regardless, there will have to be various off-site platforms for people to be directed to download. And those platforms will be subject to the scrutiny of various attorneys.

I second this. I think that a web based application would be cool, but it can only be a matter of time until the great unblinking eye of the Microsoft legal staff becomes aware of this site, and what we are doing. At that point this whole project would have to go underground and I would not want to cause issues for Wide.

There is a number of things to keep in mind with hosting these ROMS.

- I would first suggest to keep the ROMS off this site,

- and side by side with the new ROM should be their old carrier specific ROM so they can change back at any time.

- and at a minimum have a disclaimer that if anyone has trouble with the ROM to "Never under any circumstances go anywhere else for support other than here". (I suggest that should be a sticky-post in this forum as well, and everywhere a modified ROM is located)



Also be wary of vigilantes that for whatever their personal reasons- could "act" like they are Microsoft attorneys and attempt to cause problems.

:roll:

I think we run this risk regardless. All it takes is one pissed off newb stomping into a store with our ROM on their phone, or a user with a bricked phone and this URL as where he downloaded the program that bricked his phone demanding a new unit to start trouble.

I can't help but think this is exactly what happened to XDA. Too many complaints/insurance claims where the service center finds a non standard ROM on the bricked phone.

What we need to stress is that if someone bricks their phone using any of the tools here or elsewhere it is their responsibility to fix the issue. We need to clearly illustrate how to recover from a failed upgrade and return to the stock ROM.

I think it also needs to be stressed that these ROMs are not supported by the phone vendor or the cell provider and if someone uses their phone for business and it is a vital tool that messing with cooked ROMs is probably not the smartest idea.

Maybe we should password protect all of these ROMs or make people register for a different site to download.
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When I was buying my PPC6700, there was a PPC6700 owner at the service counter with a broken display. All of his business contacts were on the phone and he had not backed it up. He was screaming and ranting. I honestly felt sorry for this guy because I thought he was going to cry.

I can't help but think that some people might try upgrading without considering the potential consequences.

heh....sign me up.

As far as a web-based app or a local one - really doesn't matter to me. I suupose if it was web-based then we would all be "on the same page"....hahaha...

I'm just a worthless graphics guy but I had to offer props to the great minds that are thinking this out. As I follow this, maybe at some point I'll be able to ad something of interest to the project.

Thirded... didn't quite get to pointing this out, but this could draw lawyers like flies.

The major concern I have about the web-based application would be the ability to add self-created OEMs into a ROM, i.e. software that is not allowed to be hosted (such as Palm SMS) or full versions of commercial programs (such as VC). It seems that there would be more ability to include those in a downloaded, client-based application.

-R

How about not a thick client, not a thin client, but a "rich" client? A windows based app that uses webservices? That way we'd have the best of both worlds. And hey I'm a systems analysist so I can help write it too....C# anyone?