[Nexus S 4G Android Development] wickid_d:
Alright, I'm gonna chime in here for a second. @Andrew trust.. Droidkitchen will save you a LOT of headaches. I was lost without it. I knew how to code and compile fine, coming from a linux background, just didn't know how to package it all up, and that will do it for you with step by step instructions along the way. Just search here in xda for it, and make sure you read all the help available. It's pretty easy to figure out, but if you have any questions on it, feel free to pm me.

@everyone else. (some of you may already know what's going to follow, but this is mainly for those who don't)

(Also, please note, I use 5.8.0.2 (touch) of Koush's cwmr as I've found this to be the most stable. I really don't care for the new backup system because if you sync it to your computer, it takes a LOT longer, even if the backup on the phone is a LOT quicker. He's using a 'blob folder and .dup file' structure now, as opposed to just compressed images like before, which explains the speed differences, but is a pain if you're trying to port.. If you don't know what that last sentence means, don't worry about it, lol)

If you're having difficulties, remember that there are several different types of roms out there, which most redos/customs/etc branch from.

MIUI

AOSP (Google stock)

AOSP (Carrier/Device stock)

AOKP/KANG

CM

(More are starting to show up, but these are the ones that have been around for a while - speaking of which, I'm really interested in porting axium to our phones, and blending it wilh Linaro tech, but that's a different story for a different time.. ;) )

You have to consider what you are 'coming from / going to', and decide what needs to be erased and/or flashed based on that.

If you're jumping types, the only point in doing a nandroid is for reverting if something goes drastically wrong, because you have the longer path to take, and more or less have to redo your entire setup. Otherwise, just backup what you want and/or need with the various apps that are available out there. (i. e. Texts, apps, call logs, and/or contacts). Then reboot to recovery, and wipe EVERYthing BUT wimax and sdcard (for obvious reasons). This includes system, boot, cache, data, and dalvik, in no particular order. Finally, just flash away. It's commonly recommended to do rom, gapps (typically for other rom types, not device stock, like this is based on), and (if you choose) kernel, in that order, back to back, without reboot. Also, when it comes to device stock roms, as long it's within the same main version of android, you shouldn't have to flash a new radio. The only advantages it gives you, is only slightly stronger signal, and maybe a hair, better clarity. In other words, you can use a 2.3.1 radio all through the 2 series (2.3.1, 2.3.4, 2.3.7), but not 3+, and definitely not on 4+, as 4 was rebuilt from the ground up. That being said, it's not necessary to flash the JB radio to use it. You can use the ICS one. My phone is living proof. However, if it makes you feel comfortable, you can flash the newer radio, and it doesn't matter the order from the other parts, beginning, end, middle, doesn't matter, because the system isn't 'live' yet at the point of still being in recovery. The other parts only matter in order because the gapps will write stuff into /system, as well as some kernels. After all flashing is done, just reboot, install the apps you need to restore everything else. If you chose to backup your apps + their data, you may run into some problems with some apps, and either have to chose to only restore the app, or just wipe the data after install. You'll know when you hit one because it will more than likely FC on you when you go to use it.

Now, if you're staying within the same type, you can chose to follow the above steps, but for you, it's a little easier. The only things you SHOULD have to wipe are the caches as these get created based on certain variables based on the android version specific number (i.e. 4.0.4 are for 4.0.4, not 4.1.1). Some apps' data does as well, but that's few and far in between, and you'll discover them as you go along, because they're more than likely to FC on you when you go to use them. All you have to do for that is go into app manager, hit clear data on the app that's FC'ing, and you should be good to go. If worst comes to worst, you may have reinstall those specific apps. Also, if you're switching kernels, at this point, it's also a good idea to wipe /boot, but most kernels will do this for you upon install.

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All that being said, this comes from personal experience, which may not necessarily reflect the views of others, and it may not necessarily be 'the right way' to do things, but it's what has ALWAYS worked for me, being the avid rom junkie that I am, lol.

I hope this has helped some people out there who are having difficulties. I'm off to bed now. :)

Later,

~Wickid_D~