[8525, TyTN, MDA Vario II, JasJam ROM Development] kyphur:
I'm liking Windows Mobile "XDA Live"

as the name in honor of all XDA-Dev has done for us.​

I'll be keeping this post updated with progress/news.

Understand that I can not release this Rom without the approval of my source, they need to protect their livelihood. The second I'm given the go ahead, the floodgate with open but until then I simply can't unless I want to burn a good source who put a lot of trust in me.

My primary goal is to get an uncluttered Rom that is useful from the start, think Faria-lite..

If everyone is good and doesn't keep me from getting this done, I will release the scripts that I am using to build & rebuild this rom easily so that each of you can confidently do exactly as I am. I can release the scripts maybe this weekend regardless of the status of the Rom because they are independent of the Rom you are cooking.

Quick FAQ:

Q: Can we get a "Clean" version of the Rom.

A: When released there will be several packages:

"Clean OS" Rom with only HTC-X and Comm Button Toggle Vibrate Fix integrated.

"Hit the Ground Running" Rom with several useful apps embedded (you will be able to disable everything that is embedded) and operator Customizations within easy reach.

Hermes Rom Cookbook, which will include the scripts and tools I am using to do this and instructions on how to apply these to any Hermes Rom.

.nb file only releases for those who want to only swap out the OS ('cause we like our splash screens)

Q: Will WMXL (Windows Mobile XDA Live) fix my corrupted radio bootloader or otherwise bricked Hermes?

A: If the other tools here can't do it then don't bet the farm on WMXL doing it. The Flashing tools are still the same, no magic pill here.

Q: Can you Add XXXX or why not use ZZZZ instead of the App you chose.

A: I have been selective of the apps I am embedding. They may not always be the best at what they do but they are easy to use and small. I will not install 5 different apps with the same function. By having one or two apps you will use embedded you will save plenty of Program Memory to be able to comfortably install the Task Manager, MP3 player or Coffee Temp Monitor of your liking.

Q: Kyphur you are such a Guru, how can I be like you?

A: Remember that my head is in the clouds on this one only because I'm standing on the shoulders' of giants. This project owes it's very existence to many other contributers here and they deserve as much if not more of the cudos than I do. The is a team effort, please support everyone who made this possible. (See my post here). I have been a member her for only 15 months give or take but I have spent more time reading than doing or posting.

Q: If you embed a program into the Rom how can I remove it (to save memory).

A: You can't remove file that are in the Rom. You can remove the Shortcuts to the programs. Again I will repeat that programs in the Rom do not consume any memory. If you don't want the program simply ignore it and it will not harm you.

Q: I have more questions...

A: Read the thread.

Current Status:

I have removed the list ofToday (.tsk) Themes for this Rom. Click here for Images of all the Themes I have collected. I've decided that instead of embedding them all, I will remove all but the default Crossbow Theme and maybe create a custom WMXL (Windows Mobile XDA Live) Theme.

The rest of the collection will be packaged together so everyne can pick and choose their themes. If we figure out how to create a custom Ext_Rom.nd then I will put them there along with Carrier Data & MMS Settings.

I have integrated the following Applications:

Dictionary Editor

HTweakC v2.1

MS Hearts for PPC

PHM Registry Editor ** Will not be replaced by Total Commander...

SMS Backup

StartClean

VJCandelaLite (Flashlight)

I know everyone has their own list of apps they'd like to see but I have chosed these because they are small, simple to use and ADD functionality to the Rom.

I have integrated the following Registry Fixes:

By default only the Date Plugin is enabled (and it is set to a single line).

The Today Screen says "XDA Live" and the about screen shows " - XDA" after the OS Build Number.

Pressing & Holding the Comm Button toggles the between Vibrate & Normal.

PDAViet Memory Leak Fix is Applied.

Disabled the warning for Unsigned Applications (Application Lock)

Misc:

I have added two "Classic RingTones, (OldPhone-US.wma and OldPhone-UK.wav) for those of us who want to get away from the music and chirping Ringers.

I have removed all carrier customizations, no need to soft reset to avoid customization!

Current Known Issues:

The only real issue is that I am bound by a promise to my source to not distribute this Rom until the Carrier releases it or I can get ALL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION removed from it. trust me, I am working on it but there is absolutely no room for errors. Ironically the Rom seems more stable since I've modified it than it was when I received it.

Goals to work on:

Embed TCPMP v0.71RC and Codex Files.

Dropped or moved to low priority:

Voice Command Abandoned... It was proving too troublesome and there are too many reasons (language and dialing rule differences) to not embed it.

Dropped embedding a replacement Calculator, two many personal preferences, they are all lightweight and we can each add our fav later.

As for adjusting how the memory is used, if someone knows how to do that I'm all ears but if it requires shifting things in the image and hex editing it then I think we might hit the NAND Block Issue again.

BTW, this truly is a group effort.

Without pof & team unlocking I never would have even gone looking for the base Rom.

aChef by aklok_hk is doing the heavy lifting.

Sleuth, ShogunMark, Faria ViJay555, Bepe, Maimach have all been instrumental either directly or indirectly in this project.

Des and the SSPL was another step that got me to this point.

Of course there are all of the guys who have been doing this before I bought my first PPC Phone, they blazed the trail I simply walk behind them.

Finally, I can't forget my unnamed source. They took a big change passing this along to me. Without that trust I'd be cooking AKU 3.3 right now.