[G1 Android Development] jay652:
COMPLETE BUILD DATABASE GOOGLE DOC

Several months ago, SimonNWalker assembled a ROM database (http://www.simonwalkerphotos.com/android/android_build_information.asp) full of details of just about every build cooked up. The problem is, users can't edit it, and thus, one person is stuck tracking every single ROM -- many of which are updated daily.

So, I've decided to put together a spreadsheet -- fittingly, a Google Doc -- that can be edited like a wiki. The obvious advantage to this Doc is that it's so easily editable -- just click the link, fill in a cell, and the spreadsheet will automatically save. This can be used by developers (so they won't have to constantly answer "Does this build have the HTC Dialer?", "Does Bluetooth work?", etc.), and by those looking to help out the Android community.

If developers start putting this link in their threads, those who use their builds will probably update the Doc themselves. Essentially, this can turn out to be the best way to keep track of the dozens of ROMs scattered about the community. I understand that it has its limitations -- the inability to sort by data field, for example -- but it seems to be the best and easiest way to keep things organized.

I don't have time to fill in the entire spreadsheet, but I got it started with a sample. If you guys want to get to work filling in the rest, we can have a complete, comprehensive database within days/hours!

PLEASE, only include information that is accurate and truthful. And if you see a cell with incorrect information (perhaps something that was absent in one build, and added in recent updates), feel free to fix it!

Here's the link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tAs2qa3xlveMKSI2BLcUI7g

Read-only, printer-friendly, old-browser-friendly page: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tAs2qa3xlveMKSI2BLcUI7g&output=html

How to add a new ROM:

Find the type of build (Hero, Ion, etc.) that the ROM belongs to. Right-click on the letter of the last column within that build family. For example, If I wanted to add a Hero ROM (and let's say that the last Hero ROM was in the E column), I would right-click "E" (top of page), and click "Insert 1 left". This will get you a new column to work with.

How to add a new Base OS/build (Hero, Ion, etc.)

Follow the steps above ("How to add a New ROM"), and make two or three columns.

You should now have a current build with some actual columns, and two or three blank ones. Click the Base OS cell (it should be highlighted in a background color already; Hero, for example, is green), and unmerge the cells by clicking the "Break Apart" button (third from the right; left of the formula and wrap text buttons). This will give you individual cells.

At this point, highlight the three/four/however many cells of the original build (let's say, Hero), and click that same button to merge just those. Then, highlight the two or three new cells, and merge those separately. Give it a new color, and you should be done.

It's definitely more confusing to explain than to just do; you should be able to figure it out once you get to the spreadsheet. If anyone wants to expand on/rewrite this tutorial, please do so, and I'll paste it up here.

INSERTING COMMENTS:

I've inserted a sample comment in cell B4 (T-Mobile US OTA/Developer) as a sample. It's represented as a small colored square in the top-right corner of that cell. If you hover over it, a comment window will appear.

Comments can be useful for disputed information, questions/concerns, etc. For example, if you believe a cell to have incorrect information -- but aren't certain enough to change it yourself -- just add a comment asking someone to verify. If you see a resolved comment/issue, please delete it by deleting all of the text within the comment popup window.