Next 20 Questions! Actually... Opinions; TP2 Mods?

[MysticThunder]

okay-
Getting a new tp2 to replace the old tp2 that i posted about earlier today. The replacement should be here Wednesday.

I am an htc addict- I can admit it. I know a lot about the Titan & Tp2. However, I can also admit that I do not know much about rom's and caches and modding and flashing and etc. I know enough about computers to understand installs and everything else.... when its not spoken in super tech dialect. [Not to say Im a total newb, but... Im a nerd, not quite a geek. :P] I understand the programs; i just dont know what their tech names are. (for example: Is a ROM the equivalent of an OS?)

I guess I need to return to my "basic of ppc mod" forums?

Anyway--

Im on US Cellular, who Im not entirely fond of service wise, and I guess Im looking for opinions on a few things program/rom/etc related. I upgraded my htc6800, got a new version of win mobile and some really awesome cabs and such from around this site. Now Im looking to upgrade my tp2.

I saw a few posts about a project for Android on the Rhodium. Anyone know how user friendly that is right now? I understand its beta. Currently my USCC plan has the winmob billing plan- would installing the droid rom require an update to my plan? Anyone with any info on its extent of function would be appreciated.

Aside from that, Im looking to put together the most text/email/Internet/customizable UI possible. I do a TON of texting/Internet work- majority of phone use is these things. It really sucks when youre in a call and cant open the texts without running into complications; anyone know a program to fix this? Also- i can have full service/reception bars a half mi from my house where i only have 2; is there a way to [omg, dare i say it?] overclock the factory installed antenna? (I dont think its something program controlled, is it?) I just dont want some goofy antenna extension hanging like a cellcharm off the handset O_o


Annnnnd lastly- there was a coffee incident that cost me the last tp2. I dont need the extreme AQUAPAC, its not practical for my dailiy life. Im not the kind of girl to just throw myself in a pool with my phone in my pocket- but by god, when youre running on an hour of sleep in 3 days, 28 cups of coffee, and you've still got at least 8 hours of awake time left- COFFEE SPILLS HAPPEN! =\ the splash damage alone is what killed my phone; Ideally a rubber/silicone skin/shell would be best; although it seems out of the question. Anyone know of any decent and practical moisture/bump protection for the tp2? Is the Otterbox @ http://store.ppcgeeks.com/productacc...er-Series-Case suitable for this? Also- does it chip into pieces and break if the cat knocks it off the kitchen table? Every other plastic/rubberized case i've wasted money on cracks on the corner after the first bump and it doesnt fit snug to the phone anymore....

Basically- Im an avid [US Cellular] HTC addict looking to upgrade & protect my factory default TP2 with nifty apps/themes/UI and possibly a new/updated OS. Tryin to make it nifty enough to keep me learning/distracted until i can afford the Desire.



Thanks everyone!

[blackangst]

Start in the flashing forum and learn how to flash. It's nearly impossible to brick your phone doing it, and theres LOTS of people here to help. But flashing is your next logical step in learning how your hardware works, and why.

Take a week and read the stickies, look through the ROM threads, etc, and when you find a ROM that looks good to you...flash it

[horndoctor]

Wirelessly posted (htc Pocket PC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 8.12; MSIEMobile6.0) Sprint T7380)

I suggest you play around with the software and the basic operations of the phone for a day or so. Try everything to get used to how it works. Then do a clear storage/hard reset to start fresh and then begin modding your device. Research about available mods before you start changeing things. Read, Read, Read, and really understand what you are doing before you jump in. You'll be much happier with your device if you do what I suggest. Good Luck!

FYI: Boxwave makes a great soft protective case. You can run Android on your TP2 regardless of your carrier or phone package/plan.

[boredandtattooed]

lets see:

A ROM is a complete overhaul of everything thats in your device(except the radio)... the Rom does include an OS, but a ROM is much more than that.. technically OS' can be changed without any flashing what so ever.. SPB Mobile Shell would technically be changing your OS.. so would using WAD(wisebar active desktop)... Your honestly NEVER changing your OS unless your switching between winMO 6.1>6.5>6.5.X.. but im sure you get what i mean..

Android works rather well now a days.. youll find some haters, but youll find that with anything.. every except the Camera, MMS, and BT work now-even SOund finally... its still a wrok in progress thats why its beta still... someone like me- who doesnt use cam ever, rarely gets MMS msgs, and has never used BT for anything: Android is more than stable enough for ME to use daily.. as far as eae of install goes, from what i read the Cab version of Project Android usually goes smoothly.. and I only say "from what ive read" because i used a different install method than the Cab version..

a program to fix "being on a call and having complications opening texts"??? well i know theres no app directly geared for that, but lets look at possible reasons why it may be happening... Do you have alot of text messages on your devices? like over a few 100? some people here have 10,000 texts on their phones and wonder why its slow lol...... i txt ALL the time while in phone calls... every now and again ill get some lag, but its usually during the screen orientation process.. at the same time, i know its because of the Rom im running and the chef didnt tweak the dialer right, so landscape and my dailer dont work well together sometime..

cases: hmmm, i dont do cases.. totally understand, especially after a coffee incident, that youd want one... theres quite a few threads here on the site about case comparison.. and theyre filled with user comments about cases theyve bought and what they liked and didnt like.. while your reading and getting familiar with everything here, make a point to go read a few different one.. like i said, when those threads pop up, you cant beat the feedback youll read in them..

and lastly, i agree with all the comments above.. If you REALLY want a good understanding of winMO, PPCS(i know you had a mogul), and modding- seriously spend a good amount of time reading first.. youll save yourself alot of time and hassle that way..

we love to help people here.. even Me, who youll see ranting at people now and again.. Im here several times a day, looking for something to answer, somewhere to pass some knowledge along to... we dont mind lenghty post(just use paragraphs please lol)... so while your doing all you reading, if you have questions, jot them down on a piece of paper and when your ready, just ask all your questions in one thread.. theyll get answered... i think its safe to say alot of us like a challenge when it comes to questions.. and they more in one post the better.. just look at my paragraph structure, i went 1 by 1 through what you were looking for and answered back accordingly... this stuff is fun for me lol

well good luck on modding out the newer TP2, and dont let anyone give ya shit for using the Stock ROM.. when it comes down to it its the most stable and will give you the least compatibility issues when it comes to cab installs... and feel free to ask questions when you have them