yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi achyut

Tks a lot for your words. As a xda rule of thumb, this is and always will be an open discussion and every different opinion is important.

This is not the central point but I'm really skeptical on submitting to my users things that will never be used. Just to illustrate, it's like you bought a brand new S4 and the seller gives you a wonderful S3 cover. What's for? That is junk for you and you will get rid of it as soon as possible. That's just my point and, as I've said, theming is difficult.

Think you misunderstood me. I don't call it "pain". I call it learning.

I do prefer Gimp but I think that again you misunderstood me. I don't browse others themers works to copy. It's just learning. You may, if you wish, verify that on my attempts on theming.

Third time but this is on me. I didn't quite made myself clear to you.

What I've meant about "Customers" is the approach you have with your users. The work I do here on xda is completely altruist as I do have the support from my outside paid Customers. Nevertheless, I do interact with my xda users as they were real Customers because as a 50 years old IT engineer, I can't deal with them differently (don't know how to). This is my point of view but isn't the main subject here.

If you could express yourself about the "Thumbs.db" files problem, I would be very thankful.

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] [] AL []:
[MENTION=225651]op[/MENTION] (kdio):

I'll reply to you here instead of by pm (sorry I have no time for myself these days...)

The thumbs.db problem you've seen -where more than half the packaged theme data consists of those Microsoft thumbnails database files- is just plain unbelievable to me. How can someone -who is surely an experienced themer in making a 100MB+ theme- not realize this issue? I wonder.

Anyhow, I do agree to a certain extent with achyut in the sense we should not complain too much about stuff that is given to us for free. I'm not accusing you to do so, but posting this post at three different places on xda and addressing the issue in a general/public way might not be the best way to tackle the issue.

Btw, I remember while being at my very firsts steps in theming, I did post something very similar on a popular xda theme engine guide thread (I might have deleted it since though - will look for link later..) : suggesting the author to add a note on the OP about those files and how to remove them. Well, no one on that thread cared to reply/comment on it - like if it was a non-issue... So I gave up thinking that it only bothered me....

Themes are usually not open-source and are just shared "as is". They are also much easier to "inspect" than apks and having a look at/into whatever we install on our phones is surely a good practice and also always highly advisable... And so is accepting users' critics and bug reports positively for the themers/developers.

So that was going to be my suggestion to you anyway: whenever something like this is noted, it would be better to first try to see with the themer if this can be corrected. If that turns out to be unsuccessful or ignored, one could then try to ask a forum moderator and ask his/her view on it. Maybe, he/she can then add a special note/warning on the theme's OP or take any other action they might deem appropriate in the circumstances.

Again, I do not want to go against what you've done here; I understand that you have good intentions. But I think that there's no need to tackle this fight globally and singlehandedly; better go on a case by case basis.

The good news is that I believe that thumbs.db files will 'eventually' not be an issue with themes. I'd have to triple check this, but I believe that since I've switched to Windows 8, I no longer have to delete those files before compiling my personal theme and I haven't seen any such files within my signed apk either...

Anyhow, long answer for not much valuable input from me in the end, but that's how I see it anyway...

Good luck, happy new year and keep on theming!!

Cheers,

/AL

[to all: please do not full-quote my long posts - ty]
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi [MENTION=3703649][] AL [][/MENTION]

Thank you very much for yours valuable words. From my view it's a milestone reached.

Before posting here, For a long time I'm trying to elucidate this issue. My first action was on 30th July when I've posted this question regarding exactly the same issue. No answers (0). I've tried too PM's to the dev's and even posting in the respective threads. I've just got these effectless responses (same as you've did):

Next step, as you've suggested, I've PM'ed 2 Recognized users (one was you) about the issue and this thread was only opened after I've been suggested to. Placed those 3 because S3 and S4 forums are where I have my relationships and it would be nice to the 'buddies'. Android Theme is the main. Nevertheless, there are only few cross-forum-readers in here so...

Please, be welcome to, if considered inappropriate, delete these threads. I, by myself, know what is happening and would never flash something like this on my devices. My main concern is with the ones with shallow knowledge that will continue blind to the matter. As we both had already experienced, no one is given a damn to it.

Just forgive an old man that after 28 years as a software developers struggling hard to create quality code, thought that the professionalism should had already permeated all the IT world. I was wrong.

Even if this thread goes off, please keep my sincerely thanks.

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
OFF TOPIC

Just wanna place 2 question here to all IT workers ... no need for answers as this should be considered OT

- Call Can we really be foolish as this with IT resources ?

- Can't we learn a bit from the mess we did with the real life ?

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] [] AL []:
[MENTION=2147860]Kdio[/MENTION]:

Well, I didn't know that you did try to ask the themers and that they did nothing about it. Saying that they don't see them tells me that they must know ****e about many things... Might be worth to try again by explaining them how to show Windows hidden and system protected files this time....

I'm curious to see such a theme; any link you could give me?

Regarding the 3 identical posts, I do not care much about that; I've just mentioned it because this is part of xda guidelines and so is the one suggesting to not take matters in our own hands. Although, that last one is more intended for times when there are disagreements/arguments between users.

What I suggested you to contact a thread moderator, not recognised users. Recognized themers and contributors have no special authority or powers here; they're just regular users that have been nominated by their fellow members as 'special' participants. There is nothing more that they can do other than preaching by example...

To contact a mod, the easiest way is to view the incriminating thread on a desktop browser and hit the top right button "report" while on the OP. You can then explain what the issue is and see what the moderator will choose to do about it.

I checked again earlier while updating my theme, and again on Win8, I do not see any such files. Does that explain the answers you got from the themer? I don't know but that's one more reason why I'm curious to download such a theme to find out. But if the files are in there, I'd guess that they did use WinXP or something prior to Win8 anyway as those ought to be created before the theme is compiled....

I'm kind of worry though about the very few (and the kind of) responses you got; what would it be if it was malware included? People would also keep a blind eye? Scarry!! But I have to say that lately I did see a xda moderator closing down a custom rom thread until further revew over concerns of included spyware/adware... So my suggestion still holds and it shows they (mods) do care about (and can act upon) such issue...

Nevertheless, it's nice to see that some people worry about such issues (so thanks for that) and I hope that your journey will bring positive results... even if it has to be one themer at a time...

/AL
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
It's at OP ;)

PM'ed you ... but it got worst :rolleyes: ... now the distribution package is composed of 67% of those useless junkies :eek:

Sent you a Moderator thread with those junkies too :( ... Should this be considered a dead end ?

Sorry AL but I don't quite see this as an solution. Shall we wait untill then ?

I'm frighten dude. The 3 thread together sum 876 views and we've got only these replies here !!! The only themer that, al least, thanked the OP was [MENTION=4616793]HS™[/MENTION] !!! (not even you !!! :p )

But I'm confident that, as the matter had never been openly addressed here on xda, at least now it has. Not for my profile but sure it will be good for the community.

And one more thought: One would never accept useless parts inside his device. This same one would never accept an app with junk code inside. Why themes should be different?

For a long time I've been seeing here on xda the incubation of great developers. So I ask myself how these theme designers are being prepared to the professional world. Will they, in their future works, act like that or this disregard for a minimum quality control is just the result of the gratuity?

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi [] AL [] and all

Just to let you all know that I've just released a tool to windows themers that somewhat can be useful on this matter:

[THEME][TOOL WINDOWS][FREE] The Dethumber™ Pro (as seen on TV)

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Hello mr. [MENTION=2147860]Kdio[/MENTION]

I see all your post since#1 and love your response and your objective to help everyone get rid of some junks away from their work (themer) or their phone (users)

Want to thank you for this. And hope you will keep on. I will tell all my friends to see this thread .

best regards..
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi pas2001

Your words are very appreciated and makes me believe that there will be some light at the end of the tunnel.

I've been following your amazing work with batts and boot animations so, these words coming from you are a real honour for me.

Thank you very much sir.

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Rixsta:
There is a point that needs to be made here, while I agree that everyone wants to and should be flashing clean error free files, whether its PNG.9s or XMLS.........

BUT regarding "junk files" or files that are not needed, it doesn't really matter to much if your using VRTheme (which most of us do), this method will only flash files that match stock system files, you could have 100 useless PNGS for example but unless they match the stock ones they will simply be overlooked by the script and wont flash, this method causes way less errors and makes it almost universal too (excluding xmls of course).

A themer should really tidy his files up (no excuse for 100 files dragged over from another device theme for example) but the only real downside, apart from been untidy would be the actual size of the file and the extra unnecessary time it takes to download.

Just a side note, Im going to move this to general soon as only actual themes or apps are allowed in this sub forum.

Very nice topic thread though :good:
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi Rixta

Thank you for your supportive words.

I would like to suggest the below experiment:

1) Download View attachment 2552719. It contains one lonely "Thumbs.db" file with 1 byte long inside SystemUI.apk\drawable\drawable-xxhdpi

2) Flash the file

3) After reboot, take a look at that folder inside SystemUI.apk.

Can you confirm the above behaviour ?

Looking at my devices result, unfortunately seems that vrTheme should but is not that smart.

Anything given to vrtheme will be injected regardless previous existence. As so, all those 'junk' (mostly Thumbs.db) files are indeed been flashed to users devices.

As I've said before, after working 28 years as a software developer, I'm unable to call this different than a severe error.

EDIT: (sorry ... this came to mind lately)

If your argumentation was valid, we will be unable to implement 1% battery awareness as vrtheme would not be capable of flashing the complimentary icons (1, 2, 3...) as they were not previously inside SystemUI. So, vrtheme is right and does what it's meant to.

EDIT 2: With the amazing help of [MENTION=4607905]xxmrgreenxx[/MENTION] starting here, he pointed out that Universal Theme Flasher can have the behaviour you've mentioned but ONLY if the UFT.config flag CLEAN_MORPHING is set to YES.

This would lead this theme matter to disappear under the ostracism but this is an moderator prerogative.

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] aki-saar:
i found 259 *.db files im my theme.

great, Thanks
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
wow
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Rixsta:
Seems your right, very good and valid points.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Rixsta:
We're going to allow this thread to stay in this forum

Thanks again.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Please pin it too if possible mate.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Rixsta:
It doesn't warrant a sticky at the moment, I will of course review this in due course.

Thank you
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Thank you [MENTION=2887540]Rixsta[/MENTION] and [MENTION=5282154]pas2001[/MENTION]

But I think I have to dig a little more to have the hole picture drawn.

At the moment, I've sent a question to try to determine the exact extent of the damage (if there is any).

[KERNEL DEV ANALYSIS] Does 'Junked' APKs Affects Performance ?

No one answered yet but I do have hope. :fingers-crossed:

Thank you all for the support.

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Rixsta:
What about making a junk theme haha, would be good for testing purposes to see what effect it has.

:eek:
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Do you mean fill a zip up with lots of 'junk' and flash? :confused:

I don't have the balls ! :D

I've dropped a note to [MENTION=245596]talexop[/MENTION] (kernel developer) to see if he can shed some light.

Unfortunately he's the only one I know that could help us here.

Tks dude.

EDIT: I don't directly know talexop (only Thanked), I've contacted him because he is th'guy who made possible my upgrade to 4.3 as my personal demands are:

- Stock Kernel

- Bootloader Blockage free

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
A real example

Hi all

Just dropping this image here as an example that can be referenced furthermore:

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] zelendel:
If a theme is done properly then this is not an issue. The problem is alot of people are not doing themes properly. They need to work in APKTOOL or android studio. Winziping a theme together is is just a noob mistake.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi zelendel

Thank very much for your words on this matter.

On developing this research, that is not already done, I've detected two main causes for this issue:

1)

Unawareness

: as that junk has their attributes hidden and system lighted, a default Windows installation does not show them. The devs package them all without knowing and the users, for their turn, flash that junk unknowing their existence.

2)

Denial

: as a developer, I've so many times entered the 'denial' phase when some glitch were pointed. But the experience guided me to promptly overcome that phase as this is science and there is only one true. What is happening with theme devs is that is easier to say "I don't see it" or "I meant no harm" than recognize and correct their glitches. I don't think that this laziness should be supported by xda.

Note: all the examples I've presented in this thread are extracted

ONLY

from "

Xda Recognized Themers

".

At the moment, in this research, lasts the knowledge of how much harm is been made with this junk injection. I've send the below question but, unfortunately, there were no responses yet.

[KERNEL DEV ANALYSIS] Does 'Junked' APKs Affects Performance ?

I would be very thankful if, just in case you have some kernel dev in your circles, could you please ask her/him to take a look on this matter ?

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Any news?
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi Pas

No, seems no Kernel Dev has interests on Themers thingys ... :eek:

But, where is live there is hope ... :laugh:

Thanks for all your support mister.

Nice regards.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Hi... not think to support you but see your good objective and want you keep it.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] cuite_zhangh:
Good Job...
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Let me continue ( I be at home now)

For my private opinion ...It no matter that it is harm or not to have junks fill in the app.... Those junk are always harm for space which limited in system partition already.And the important is you can proof that it is real.:(

In part of users I think no user want to push the junks fill in their phone surely ( if they know) although the theme is very lovely and awsome..:cyclops:

And in the roll of themer , I know that when I make new icons it usually bigger size than the stock icons already...It mean that the app after theme will be surely bigger than before...I try every way to optimize icons to use the as less space as possible (but still larger than original icons)

So it is very good things you do here and I must thank to you rather than you say thank to me.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi Pas

As always, simple but powerful words. Thank you.

As I've already told you, you've got it fully and, despite the fact you are a Dentist, you do foreseen the implications of your work not only concerning the 'looks', in what you are most competent :good:, but too in a most wide technical view.

In this I do too agree with you that no matter which work you do, you have to be aware of all details regarding the specialty you are involved with.

At last, what I'm looking for is an improvement in what and how things are developed in xda. As the title requires:

Minimum Theme Quality Control

.

Just had this thought/suggestion: As we have Moderators and Developers Committee, why don't we have a Theme Committee?

The MOST nice regards in the world to you sir.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Let me answer

I wish since come here XDA to invite my friend themers to settle The themer alliance group to share the thing one know or the items to the other... But it only dream since the themer has variety and I think may concern with ego so It may impossible to make my dream come true...Only my request for themer who ask me to make items for him..(.repeat...he ask me to make new items for him not the one I already made and he need my permission) I just want to mention my name in his thread.. [MENTION=5282154]pas2001[/MENTION]... then I will be notified to see his thread and press thank (just for encourage me alittle)...He never make it for me.

Off topics sorry.:crying: You are older than me for age but I may older than you for my behavior..:laugh:
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Hi Pas

Once reading your work and wondering 'If he do this with PS, how amazing would be this dentist dude client's teeth!!" :cyclops: when I've passed by this post of yours. You've stopped the development and took a lot of time to teach a noob it all.

As that fool noob, I would like you Sir to watch this video again.

Even been nearly half world apart, we do share the same dreams and frustrations.

Pas, are you sure we are not running "Windows" in our devices? I've always thought that Android World would be an 'open source' sharing thing. Was I wrong?

Well, 10:15 PM in Thailand so, it's time for the 'old' ones go to sleep !!! :D

Good night Sir.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Hi mr. Your tool (user ver.) Can use with theme in aroma? Thanks
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Sure Pas

I've just sent a command line to 7zip to delete every "*.db" file that is inside a zip.

Exactly this line:

'**Remove the files (if any)
wshShell.Run "cmd /c " & curDir & "\7za.exe d " & strZipFile & " *.db -r", 0, true

I know the above is a tech'thingy but for the curious mind that may be candy. ;)

EDIT: and too, pay attention to the report generate for detailed statistical information about the process.

Thanks for using.

.
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] pas2001:
Erm... Kdio. . Let off topic again. Which thread you think stop developed friend. If boot.qmg I just release new 6 pieces in aroma sir.?

If theme pas , yes.. cos I happy when make icons and see the theme gradually growth but it consume my time for 3 months. So when I release pas theme v.1 it is near ending of 4.2 era.? and come to 4.3...

Now 4.3 may near end point. So I may start in 4.4 may release in time before go to 4.5 (if have some free time)

For now I be happy to make items in 3minit, 180sec, boot animation and cats item it is same as my happy from making whole theme.?
[Galaxy S 4 Themes and Apps] Kdio:
Conclusion

Hi ALL

The OP was updated as some new informations were researched:

Addendum 2: Android Performance

Addendum 3: Tool

Conclusion

Thanks you all for your support on this.

.
[Windows RT General] docfreed:
Despite a number of sesrches/instructions for turning Windows Defender off on a Surface 2 (Windows RT 8.1) I cannot get permission to turn it off? I am the admin (and only user).

Can this actually be disabled on Win RT 8.1?
[Windows RT General] GoodDayToDie:
Have you tried using the services manager? Even if the UI is missing / locked out within Defender itself, you can simply disable the service. Slightly more extreme option would be to rename the binary and/or modify its permissions to deny Execute rights.

One way or another, I guarantee you it's possible.
[Windows RT General] docfreed:
When I go into Services Manager>Windows Defender and right click the only choice I have is to view properties. Choices such as "Start, Stop...." are greyed out. I have no options to change the behavior of the Windows Defender service
[Windows RT General] GoodDayToDie:
The command-line tools "sc" and "net" offer additional ways to control services. You can also just edit the service configuration in the registry (that's where all service config is stored, and it's not *that* hard to edit) if necessary.
[Windows RT General] docfreed:
Thanks. Am I correct to assume the key is HKLM>Microsoft>Windows Defender> and the DWORD is DisableAntiSpyware. The current value is 0 so I would set the value to 1.

I figure that would stop the service.
[Windows RT General] GoodDayToDie:
That may well do it, but I was talking about disabling the NT service itself (relevant registry key is HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend) by changing the Start value to 4 (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/103000/en-us).
[Windows RT General] docfreed:
Yes, I found that - good suggestion BUT no matter what I do regedit will not let me change the value!

I am running as administrator (the built-in one - not under my user name) but try as I might, I am unable to get control. So I can't seem to get any elevated privileges and thus cannot change services.

Are you aware of any change in Windows 8.1 RT on a Surface 2 that no longer allow these types changes? Somehow I'm not understanding how to take control of my Surface 2.
[Windows RT General] prasobnair:
Yes you can

---------- Post added at 09:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------

If you are using 3 rd party security softwares like antivirus or spyware. Windows defender will be automatically turned off or its done by the third party app.

Or manually... Open start windows defender. Click tools then options. Click administrator. Then uncheck the use this program and click save... Done
[Windows RT General] docfreed:
Pardon my ignorance but I don't understand your last sentence - what is "open start windows defender"?
[Windows RT General] prasobnair:
ya...sorry for the mistake...what i mean is press start button and then type defender or windows defender, a picture is attached