Database Develop

Keeping it simple for the ADD crowd...

tl;dr: I want a clean wm 6.1 rom for my Tmobile Wing that is stupid simple to install.
First off, let me say I really appreciate all the work that everyone has put into these custom roms here. I used to use X's MDA custom rom (and still do on my wife's MDA) because it was a very clean rom and it was stupid simple to use. You ran it, clicked next and yes to everything and waited.
I've had the Tmobile wing since launch and I've used the stock firmware because whenever I try to digest any information that is presented in the forum post format, my ADD kicks in and I get nowhere. Now that my replacement wing is here, I figured now is the best time to flash a new rom onto it because I can't put up with not being able to do things like take a picture without soft reseting.
So, I want to get rid of this stock rom but looking at the different rom threads, I'm not sure which one I want. I want to avoid as many 3rd party applications / today screen mods / touch interfaces as possible. Any 3rd party application I need, I'm happier to install post flash.
I do like the custom roms that have the obvious tweaks built in and I really like them when everything I need is included to take me from a fresh Wing out of the box to final product.
And finally, the easier the better. The last thing I have time for is tweaking my cell phone. I've put up with the awful stock rom since the wing came out simply because I haven't had the time to mess around with it.
I thank you in advance for your advice and help.

I'll build you a clean and simple ROM when I get home. Doubleclick on one file and click enter three times. Wait. Done.

ivanmmj said:
I'll build you a clean and simple ROM when I get home. Doubleclick on one file and click enter three times. Wait. Done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. I saw some of your threads and it looked very promising. I assume that covers the CID unlock?

Yep, it doesn't unlock it per say... just goes around the lock. Just one question. What programs do you want on it? If you're not sure, take a look at my kitchen. Those are the packages I'll be using.

Ok, I checked out your thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372236
Adobe Flash
AdobeReader
MS Voice Command
Remote Desktop
I do fine with battery indicator that came with the wing.
Updated Microsoft Office
Java
Wing Keyboard Driver
I'm not familiar enough with each of the registry tweaks you mentioned.
Ivan's Tweaks sound fine, Beam disabled (since there is no IR), disable the security warnings, disable the sliding sounds, get TZ from the network, enable file cache, hide sim contacts, Increase FileSystem filter cache, INcrease font cache, and most definitely get rid of SMS sent message notification if that isn't in there. Also IE temp files on the storage card would be grand.
Ideally the Comm settings would be set for Tmobile USA. (But I don't need My5)
And whatever applications are part of the core OS. I'm not all that unpleased with the stock rom for the wing. I uninstalled a bunch of applications when I got it and haven't had to hard reset it since so I don't remember all the different bloat that came on there. I just would like a bit less of a memory leak, a few good registry tweaks, and of course an update to wm6.1.
If the stock ringtones and sounds can be cut to save space, I'm all for it. However, I read on some of your other posts that you have to get to a certain size on the ROM or it fails. So if that is the case, the sounds/rings can stay.
And as long as I can flash back to the stock rom if I have to warranty this bad boy, I'm as happy as a clam. Maybe I'm crazy but I prefer installing applications outside of the rom process. I like starting with a clean base. The only things I have installed are Google Maps, SPB Wallet and SPB Pocket Plus. Like I said, I try to keep it very simple.

rosewood said:
Ok, I checked out your thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372236
Adobe Flash
AdobeReader
MS Voice Command
Remote Desktop
I do fine with battery indicator that came with the wing.
Updated Microsoft Office
Java
Wing Keyboard Driver
I'm not familiar enough with each of the registry tweaks you mentioned.
Ivan's Tweaks sound fine, Beam disabled (since there is no IR), disable the security warnings, disable the sliding sounds, get TZ from the network, enable file cache, hide sim contacts, Increase FileSystem filter cache, INcrease font cache, and most definitely get rid of SMS sent message notification if that isn't in there. Also IE temp files on the storage card would be grand.
Ideally the Comm settings would be set for Tmobile USA. (But I don't need My5)
And whatever applications are part of the core OS. I'm not all that unpleased with the stock rom for the wing. I uninstalled a bunch of applications when I got it and haven't had to hard reset it since so I don't remember all the different bloat that came on there. I just would like a bit less of a memory leak, a few good registry tweaks, and of course an update to wm6.1.
If the stock ringtones and sounds can be cut to save space, I'm all for it. However, I read on some of your other posts that you have to get to a certain size on the ROM or it fails. So if that is the case, the sounds/rings can stay.
And as long as I can flash back to the stock rom if I have to warranty this bad boy, I'm as happy as a clam. Maybe I'm crazy but I prefer installing applications outside of the rom process. I like starting with a clean base. The only things I have installed are Google Maps, SPB Wallet and SPB Pocket Plus. Like I said, I try to keep it very simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can wait for open touch 4 =] that's what I am doing.
I'm currently using touch-it vista style.

rosewood said:
Ok, I checked out your thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372236
Adobe Flash
AdobeReader
MS Voice Command
Remote Desktop
I do fine with battery indicator that came with the wing.
Updated Microsoft Office
Java
Wing Keyboard Driver
I'm not familiar enough with each of the registry tweaks you mentioned.
Ivan's Tweaks sound fine, Beam disabled (since there is no IR), disable the security warnings, disable the sliding sounds, get TZ from the network, enable file cache, hide sim contacts, Increase FileSystem filter cache, INcrease font cache, and most definitely get rid of SMS sent message notification if that isn't in there. Also IE temp files on the storage card would be grand.
Ideally the Comm settings would be set for Tmobile USA. (But I don't need My5)
And whatever applications are part of the core OS. I'm not all that unpleased with the stock rom for the wing. I uninstalled a bunch of applications when I got it and haven't had to hard reset it since so I don't remember all the different bloat that came on there. I just would like a bit less of a memory leak, a few good registry tweaks, and of course an update to wm6.1.
If the stock ringtones and sounds can be cut to save space, I'm all for it. However, I read on some of your other posts that you have to get to a certain size on the ROM or it fails. So if that is the case, the sounds/rings can stay.
And as long as I can flash back to the stock rom if I have to warranty this bad boy, I'm as happy as a clam. Maybe I'm crazy but I prefer installing applications outside of the rom process. I like starting with a clean base. The only things I have installed are Google Maps, SPB Wallet and SPB Pocket Plus. Like I said, I try to keep it very simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like how I like my ROMs.
My ROMs are stripped to the bare minimum. Yes, there is a size requirement that I've been trying to find a way to bypass it but my kitchen DOES work around the problem by inflating ROMs that are too small into the correct size with empty space. I haven't had time to work on this, yet, as I'm heading to work right now, but I will try to get it done tonight.

never mind, wrong...

Thank you ivanmmj. I would say keep the sounds in then since taking them out doesn't really do anything.
Would it be possible to put something in that could be deleted post install? I am just tossing out ideas.
As for "waiting for open touch 4" and using touch-it vista style, I've looked at the threads for that and it just has a bunch of stuff, like the HTC today screen stuff that I don't ever want to use. My today screen is very clean. It has Tmobile's plugin that shows network, date, wifi and bluetooth status. It has my owner info and my calendar info. This is it. I used to use SPB Diary but it was a memory hog and I never did like the clutter.

You don't need the sounds and the less files, the faster the ROM. You can't uninstall anything that's built into the ROM, only things installed after through the ExtROM or anything else. The padding I put in makes the ROM bigger but doesn't add any files. It's all HEX.

ivanmmj said:
You don't need the sounds and the less files, the faster the ROM. You can't uninstall anything that's built into the ROM, only things installed after through the ExtROM or anything else. The padding I put in makes the ROM bigger but doesn't add any files. It's all HEX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well fast is what makes my day
I can't wait for you to work your magic.
Thanks

disable cab delete

Why doesn't anybody cook this into roms? For that matter, why isn't this toggleable somewhere in Settings by default, huh Microsoft?!

Looks like someone didn't read the sticky...
[UPDATED] >> !! - ALL Important LINKS - !! < > !! Noobs and ALL read carefully !! <<
Before starting to post or even to modify your Device
read all carefully
VERY IMPORTANT - watch carefully

raduque said:
Why doesn't anybody cook this into roms? For that matter, why isn't this toggleable somewhere in Settings by default, huh Microsoft?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As funny as dooby's reply was, oddly enough, some people do not like having the cabs stay on their device. It wastes space and is a bit annoying to navigate after reflashing a rom. With the advent of the UC capable roms, I would have to say that if you like keeping your cabs around, customize it into your setup. You can read about UC here and here.
phreke

dumpydooby said:
blah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You be quiet with that oversized waste of space post.
I was complaining about WM deleting cabs from my storage card. It doesn't bother me to delete them from the device itself. I still think it should be a toggleable setting at least to exclude the SD card.

Its actually kind of helps me to have the cabs delete themselves. I just keep a folder on my PC with all the cabs -- then when I put it on my Storage Card after a Hard Reset or New Rom, I can tell what is installed easy cuz the cabs disappear. I don't want them to stay on the phone. Just my preference.

raduque said:
You be quiet with that oversized waste of space post.
I was complaining about WM deleting cabs from my storage card. It doesn't bother me to delete them from the device itself. I still think it should be a toggleable setting at least to exclude the SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you were asking. I linked you to the video because "it is always better to reply than to start a new thread" and I think you should have made use of XDA's "best kept secret, the Search button."
The former would allow you to ask specific ROM makers why they don't include. The latter would have given you the answer you seek from the ROM makers themselves (since they've all been asked this question before).
You didn't actually think you were the first to ask this question, did you?

Nope, not that it matters. It was an open question to all, except smart asses like you. I wasn't asking rom makers specifically but everybody and their opinions.
I know how to Search, I do it all the time, except I don't have the time for it as I'm at work right now.
I thank you for wasting time ans space again, though, with a second 100% unhelpful post, my good sir.
Edit: I'm done here.

raduque said:
Nope, not that it matters. It was an open question to all, except smart asses like you. I wasn't asking rom makers specifically but everybody and their opinions.
I know how to Search, I do it all the time, except I don't have the time for it as I'm at work right now.
I thank you for wasting time ans space again, though, with a second 100% unhelpful post, my good sir.
Edit: I'm done here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I for one did wanted to cook it into my past and current releases but never had any luck getting it to work. The only rom I've every used that had it working correctly was pdaviet roms. But I have spent some time with my up coming rom and was able to cook it into it. So my next release Open Touch v4.0 does have it included.
For me it has been a learning process working with the base rom itself and there are many things we want it to do but some times it just will not work the way we want it to.
Regards,

Well a read only cab file stays after installation. I assign all my cab files "read only" attributes, either from desktop PC before I put in on my phone, or use total commander to do that.

I didnt know this was a Debate just why it has access to remove the cabs from our memory cards. I myself hate cab delete because ive used a number of roms lately all of them Crash hard on me. I think i figured out what is going on but i work 12 hour shifts and if it freezes up and i have to hard reset at work i need to get the things i use most back up on the phone.

Try sprite backup...
After hard reset I can get back to the original state in minutes.

Backup folder
Just copy your cabs twice. Once to the phone for install, and once to your PIM backup folder. That way you'll always have a spare. You can copy those and reinstall your important apps anytime.

Newbie ?'s

Ok so before you start calling me a newb and tell me to use the forums search I want to let you know that I have and since I'm really new to this it still really confuses me. I'm really new to the wm6 platform, I had a dash/excaliber and sent it back for a wing because I wanted a touch screen. So I guess the easiest way to get answers would be to describe what I'm looking for. I really love the ipod ui on the iphone, I know there is one for the wing that I can use but I want to get rid of all the tmobile crap they put on, so I need a new rom I'm thinking?
Also I would really like a weather plugin on the today screen, not like a link to the program but one that shows the current temp and maybe a picture.
And is there anyway to have the ui big enough to use my finger to choose. I found some dialer screens that are big enough for that, but I think some of them have problems with caller id, anyway around that?
I guess that is all for now, I will keep asking if there is anything else I have questions about. And thanks to everyone that helps me out.
I'd say this is my longest first post on any forum.

Ok another quick question. If I do the debranding method. Hard reset then when it says it has to install some more stuff I do a soft reset, so it doesnt install. What do I lose with that? and what extra tmobile stuff does it install if I dont do that. Thanks for the help everybody.

Iphone ui... there are no herald roms with that installed. And you wont be getting rid of the winmo junk because those iphone ui's run on top of your today screen and hog up your ram.
When you soft reset after flashing a rom, you dont lose much of anything, it just saves time and doesnt load the themes by default.
My opinion is that the best thing you can do is flash one of ttran's biggy roms and you will have everything you can dream of. Weather forecasts and beyond...good luck.

1. Download and install any ROM. The Stock ROM has a pitiful amount of RAM and storage space. Just to emphasize:
ROM: Stock vs Just2Clean
RAM: 11mb vs 32mb
Storage: 20 something vs 60 something
2. Download and install PointUI. It is a slick UI that has big icons and a built in weather app.

Many Choices here sounds like u might like the Roms with the Cube option built in & S2U2 all the Roms are different its like crack once you start you cant stop LOL i use one of ASerg Roms now good luck enjoy and read read read

ivanmmj said:
1. Download and install any ROM. The Stock ROM has a pitiful amount of RAM and storage space. Just to emphasize:
ROM: Stock vs Just2Clean
RAM: 11mb vs 32mb
Storage: 20 something vs 60 something
2. Download and install PointUI. It is a slick UI that has big icons and a built in weather app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I like this idea I checked out that pointui, looks really nice.
Do any of your J2C roms include the internet sharing? thats something I use at my girls place alot, since she doesn't have internet. If it doesn't come included in any of your releases is there a cab I can download.
And thanks for the responses guys

There are a few people (especially zcink) that require Internet Sharing, too, so you will find a zcink version that has Internet Sharing in it. That version will not have task manager, though, since zcink uses a different task manager than I do, I didn't include it. You can use that one and just download any task manager that you'd like. Or not even download one since you'll be using PointUI and it's built in taskmanager.

Ok so this is what I keep getting. ERROR [228] : INVALID FILE SIZE
The image file is corrupted. Check your up date utility.
Im trying to flash the j2c zcink edition. And it might be because I dont have a sd card, but other roms wont even work. Is there anyway around this.

captchronik17 said:
Ok so this is what I keep getting. ERROR [228] : INVALID FILE SIZE
The image file is corrupted. Check your up date utility.
Im trying to flash the j2c zcink edition. And it might be because I dont have a sd card, but other roms wont even work. Is there anyway around this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. As stated, J2C ROMs are all too small to be flashed through ActiveSync or any other non SD card way. The SD card is the only thing that the bootloader doesn't check the size in. If you're having problems flashing other ROMs, have you HardSPL'd the device or do you use USPL?

I've tried both. So I guess that means I really do need a memory card

Ok cool I got it working. Found a 2gb card for 15 bucks. Thanks for all the help everyone.

Let's say "Official"...

Hi everyone! I recently bought a T-mo Wing on ebay and as it's my first pda phone I did exactly the same every newbie does: I've messed things up.
The first problem was that I started to download and install every app I thought I would use. Soon realized that IN FACT I would use 10% of all that ans started uninstalling things. Till there, I was good, but then I found pocket mechanic pro and its "registry tweaker & cleanup" killed my voice command and made the phone loop forever on bootup unless I remove the memory card. Besides, I have memory shortage problems and lots of things I will never use like myFaves, t-zones, tons of icons and silly images .... So my questions are ....Is there any T-mo "official" ROM with all the T-mo stuff removed?? I don't have problems with the rest of the apps and bricking the phone is not an option: I'm latin american!! used wing was really a financial effort for me!! The second question would be: Is there any way to restore the registry keys that pocket mechanic erased?? I know the answers might have been already posted but I've been browsing the forums for about 6 hours with no success ..... Can anyone help me on this??
Thanks
Wow.... really long

alvarete62 said:
Hi everyone! I recently bought a T-mo Wing on ebay and as it's my first pda phone I did exactly the same every newbie does: I've messed things up.
The first problem was that I started to download and install every app I thought I would use. Soon realized that IN FACT I would use 10% of all that ans started uninstalling things. Till there, I was good, but then I found pocket mechanic pro and its "registry tweaker & cleanup" killed my voice command and made the phone loop forever on bootup unless I remove the memory card. Besides, I have memory shortage problems and lots of things I will never use like myFaves, t-zones, tons of icons and silly images .... So my questions are ....Is there any T-mo "official" ROM with all the T-mo stuff removed?? I don't have problems with the rest of the apps and bricking the phone is not an option: I'm latin american!! used wing was really a financial effort for me!! The second question would be: Is there any way to restore the registry keys that pocket mechanic erased?? I know the answers might have been already posted but I've been browsing the forums for about 6 hours with no success ..... Can anyone help me on this??
Thanks
Wow.... really long
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easiest way to go back is to do a hard reset. (Hold the two softkeys and press the soft reset key.) As far as "official" ROM, there isn't, but there are a lot of third party ROMs. If you hardSPL your phone (which runs the slight risk of bricking your phone) then you brick-PROOF your phone.

Wow!! I can't believe you ...I mean YOU, took som time to answer my post!! I read lots of stuff here made by you. Thanks man! I'm really honored.
The thing is that if I hard reset my wing all the T-mo stuff will be there again, and some of it is non removable. There are lots of pictures and icons that I won't ever use. What if I take the latest T-mo ROM and delete all that without modifying anything else?? I mean, no t-zones, no my faves and no TONS of avatar pictures.... would that be possible?? Again, thanks for answering

alvarete62 said:
Wow!! I can't believe you ...I mean YOU, took som time to answer my post!! I read lots of stuff here made by you. Thanks man! I'm really honored.
The thing is that if I hard reset my wing all the T-mo stuff will be there again, and some of it is non removable. There are lots of pictures and icons that I won't ever use. What if I take the latest T-mo ROM and delete all that without modifying anything else?? I mean, no t-zones, no my faves and no TONS of avatar pictures.... would that be possible?? Again, thanks for answering
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. Thanks for thinking so highly of me.
It's possible, you have to dump the ROM and then recook it, though.
You could also wait for my SuperJustKitchen and build your own custom ROM. ^_^ But either way, you HAVE to HardSPL. There are no ROMs that can be flashed with the stock SPL other than the stock one.

That's exactly what I'm going to do!! I'll wait for your SuperJustKitchen and remove all unneeded stuff from the latest official T-mo Rom. In the meantime, I will try to recover my voice command without hard resetting just for fun. I really don't need it because my spoken english is horrible and by the time it worked, almost never recognized what I said . Anyway, it really annoys me that a supposed registry cleanup made by pocket mechanic messed up the system that way. The Wizcode forum has a solution that actually works just for the full version of MVC. Nor upgrade nor OEM are fixed by that "patch". I would like to know if there's any way to decompile it and make the corrections manually. It's supposed to restore some deleted registry keys but I couldn't find wich ones ....Would that be possible??

If it's a cab, it can turned into a OEM/EXT package which lets you see the registry keys by themselves.

Sorry for the delay....
Hi again! It was not a .CAB .... It was a [email protected] .exe file. Tried to open with winRAR and 7zip but with no success. Finally i found the dump of the .reg file that voice command uses. I was not able to import it (there are some path errors and I know NOTHING about reg scripting), so i had to write all the keys and values manually. It worked!!!! After a soft reset voice command was there! After that I disabled it because my english sucks and VC could not understand what i said ..... but still works!! Still waiting for your kitchen to make a new ROM for my wing .... Thanks again for taking the time to answer me ...

I don't know well, but...
Maybe you can have good luck in hard-resetting and do not enter into customization, but soft-resetting.
Another way is going into Extended ROM and analizing the .cab files there, and erasing some of them (better if you save them into another place).
Please wait till someone "better than me" will confirm those data I told.
On the other way, if you don't like T-Mo ROMs the best you can do is Hard-SPL and flashing a new radio+ROM. You by yourself realized Ivan has good ROM's. And the one I'm using now is also good.

Suggest a Rom and GUI for me.

OK, my first post so be gentle.
I have MDA Vario that has been flashed with TPCElite series V11 MEGA wm6.5 23017. It also has the touchflo GUI running. Now having tried it for a week (only just purchased it a week ago) I can say that I'm not a fan of the touchflo prog. It seems to hang on occasions and I often end up selecting something I didn't want only to find the phone connecting to the net. So I have switched it off. There is a windows default one that is working fine, but I can't see a way to customise the menu so I can add what I want to it.
So my dilemma. Do I flash with a "lite" rom and add a GUI myself afterwards - this way I can uninstall it if I don't like it. Or should I just leave it deselected and install a new one? Will this have any performance/memory issues - ie is the lite rom a better way to go.
I had a Mio PDA with iLauncher on it and I liked the ability to add my own shortcuts etc.
If I should flash can anyone recommend a stable reliable rom. Also is there a better GUI? Been looking at Manila 2D v2 but I want to be able to customise the main menu and I don't want it sluggish.
One final thing. Is it possible to get the phone to ask permission before connecting via gprs rather than scurrying around for the disconnect. I've looked through the menus but can't find anything. Don't mind using it if I want it, just fed up of it dialing it by mistake -(I have sausage fingers.)

i recommend the t.i.r element v5 rom. ive been thru many roms including the tpc series that you have tried and i find that t.i.r element v5 is the best w/ smooth graphics, great gui (full landscape support etc.) i cant post a link as of now since i am new to posting on xda so please look it up and give it a shot!

Is there a CLI version of a rom for this phone or is someone just trying too sound fancy? Since when is touchflu a GUI? I am totally confused.
Do I flash with a "lite" rom and add a GUI myself afterwards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh my head is hurting make it stop.. SOMEONE REPLIED TO THIS?? awmg
If I should flash can anyone recommend a stable reliable rom. Also is there a better GUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am so confused, it's like trying to mess with a womans bra (Full Landscape support) for the first time, what do I do.. do I call her new hair doo a pair of panties? AAAHHHHHHHH
Stylez close this **** down.. REASON.... Doesn't make any sense at all..
I used the GUI version of this forum to reply.. Thanks.

hi DTBrum,
touchflo - i never liked it too, don't know which files are responsible for its running and if it could be removed, seems like it's part of needed htc drivers to me, but this will switch it off completely:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\OEM\TFLOSettings]
"EnableScroll"=dword:00000000
"EnableCube"=dword:00000000
you need a registry editor to change those values.
===
you can't replace gui, or you can theoretically but what you mean is sort of launcher, or today manager. I tried more and didn't like any, they all seems to be laggy to me.
windows in default uses today screen and start menu, it's the same way as in pc edition, there are folders with shortcuts in them for start menu
look in \windows\start menu folder. and on today screen, you can set what you want to see there in settings/today
I use start replacement called quickmenu which is a very small prg with lots of tweaks.
if you don't like those fancy launchers and controls, better you make your own rom. it's very easy with tools from xda. nearly all custom roms lite or full you'll find here have some kind of launchers and today replacement already in them and it's hard to remove or disable them.
there is a lot of different apps like iLauncher, you can install/uninstall.
no one will recommend you any custom rom here, you need to go through trying one after another because everybody's preferences differs. look in wiki.
automatic connect. no, there is no way to disable this. you can use app called 'nodata' but then you'll have to run it to enable/disable every time you want to use internet. But it solves problems in roaming.
Some programs can be set to not auto dial. and another option is, you can set a fake internet connection, make it default and then when you want to go online you'll dial the real one manually. But you may find that some programs would not want to use other then default connection.
and don't get discouraged here on forum, some people are smart here, true, but not all of us here get born that way.

Thankx for the replies.
What I found with touchflo was that there are occasions where I try to scroll from left to right and nothing happens, then all of a sudden I find it has selected something like maps or internet and the phone is trying to connect to the net. Then it starts responding normally. So as a front end user interface for me I'm not that keen on it. Also I can't see a way to remove the categories sucj as maps, and add my own. I have a registry editor and will try changing the values suggested and see if that helps. I'll do a search for the other bits recommended.
Apologies ChumleyEX, not sure if I used the correct terminology. For me a program such as touchflo is an alternative GUI that sits on top of the windows GUI. Just want to know if there are better, more reliable ones. Doesn't have to be fancy. I want to be able to customise it and for it to be quick and responsive.

Sorry I'm sure I was too harsh, I was feeling a little too good last night.

No problem ChumleyEX - no harm done.
Papo - thanks for you time and help, you cleared a few things up for me. Registry edited and touchflo now disabled.
As I said I've only had this device a week and only just found this site recently, so I'm not really up on the terminology so I'm hoping you can look past my shortcomings please. I'll get there. I'm no novice with pc's or pda's but I'm not in the same league as most people on here I admit.
My question about installing an alternative to touchflo was because some of these other programs such as ilauncher like to be installed to the device memory rather than storage card. I don't want to find I start running low on resources so I was contemplating flashing the phone with a wm6.5 lite version with all the MS bloatware removed and adding a launcher/today screen manager afterwards. At least this way if I don't like a particular one I could un-install that. I have no option to remove touchflo.
I was hoping that by describing what I was after people would recommend something that fits the bill. But for now I keep looking at the roms and reading the comments until I find one I like the look of. There is some really nice work here on this site - so tempted to give it a go. I guess we all like different things so it's a matter of personal choice really. Key for me is functionality/responsiveness. It's no good if the interface gets in the way no matter how good it looks.
Off to read some reviews of roms on here now. I'll check out t.i.r element v5 as suggested by agent1001 first.

dude, stop fretting and just try out as many ROMs as you can...and remember to search and read a LOT! it will help in the long run to build your concepts.
i have TWO more suggestions/clarifications for you:
1. you might have big fingers, but what i suspect is that you are using your device as if it has a capacitive screen...which it doesn't. the kaiser (like many htc phones) has a resistive screen. essentially, what this means is that the screen will respond best with a good amount of pressure, applied at a point. so the best suggestion i can give you that will tremendously improve your experience with the device is...use your finger NAILS! the effect is as if you are using a stylus and once you get used to it, any "GUI" will become usable.
2. what you call a "GUI" is not a GUI, technically. this is what chumleyex was alluding to. these "GUIs" run as today screen plugins. they are just that...they are "today screen plugins"...also called "home screen" in other contexts of discussion. you can have many such plugins installed on your device. you can even have many such plugins running at once on your today screen. however, some take over the today screen completely, so you can only use them exclusively. manila2d/manila3d, spb mobile shell, and quite a few others are such kinds of today screen plugins. installing multiple such plugins only takes up storage space. RUNNING multiple such plugins is like running many applications at once...which will consume memory and may slow down the phone, etc, etc.
as always, you should have read the forum rules...which clearly state that "best of" threads or "suggest me a <insert requirement here>" style threads are against the forum rules. which leads me to believe that you probably haven't read the other "stickies" and "wikis" either. start there and then you'll find yourself asking a lot less basic questions that clutter up the forum. don't be surprised if this thread is closed soon by a forum mod. cheers.

Thanks ASCIIker - screen is more responsive with more pressure. Guess I was worried about cracking it.
I did do loads of reading before posting - mainly to do with how to, hard spl, soft spl, roms, radio threads. Sorry if I missed the bit about asking for recommendations.

DTBrum said:
I don't want to find I start running low on resources so I was contemplating flashing the phone with a wm6.5 lite version with all the MS bloatware removed and adding a launcher/today screen manager afterwards. At least this way if I don't like a particular one I could un-install that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the feeling that you think those fancy things in full custom ROMs are taking up space. they are not. and not using them, disabling them, or deleting shortcuts from start menu would do the same as uninstalling.
you've got:
flash memory - (ROM)
int. memory - think about it as HDD: depends, typicaly little over 100MB
RAM, operating memory, like on PC another 100MB: to be used by progs.
those names differs, to add confusion, some refers to int.memory as ROM
MS bloatware & fancy stuff from custom ROMs which you don't want could still rest in peace in ROM and not bothering you. you'll still have your 100MB int.mem. And as long as they are not actively running you still will have 100 RAM and no processor power used. but exactly like mentioned every plugin on today screen means it's running too. get an fdc task manager or alternative to see all processes and other stuff running. (not just tasks) You can find a way to disable nearly everything.
I have no option to remove touchflo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there is any. even with ultra lite, i could be mistaken with this, but i tried hard and it looks like it's part of required htc drivers. so you only could disable it...at least! i hated it too no matter about fingers. it seems better on htc pro2 anyway.
But for now I keep looking at the roms and reading the comments until I find one I like the look of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, the look would be the main difference i'll say.
but if you want functionality/responsiveness, than you probably better stick with using start button and today screen without unnecessary additions.
* installing on SD card means it will go much slower and (at least on my kaiser) will sometime create errors on card from crashed apps and when I dropped phone or it died w/o shutdown or when contacts on SD card get loosed. many times I even lost complete SD contents.
You have 100MB of int.mem!! it would love to be used by progs.
I suggest you to try all of available and up-to-date custom ROMs then after getting an idea of what is doing what, just mix your own rom. it's a matter of check-in what you want inside basically. and you can add your own stuff too. like programs you buy or are not in any ROM. I have over 110MB of programs fitted in ROM and still 100MB int.mem. and speed of the device and ram is not affected too, because i let only 3 - 4 apps from that running in background.

Well I've tried flashing it and had to visit the toilet as things didn't go well.
I flashed with a lite rom, plan being to leave enough free space on the device to install a nice front end/today screen/touchflo etc to the device when I settled on one I liked.
Rom flashed fine - quite like it.
Radio didn't go well. Got stuck at the dreaded tri coloured screen.
Mtty.exe didn't recover it either.
Visited toilet.
Flashed back to standard rom from manufacturer. All now back up and running.
Have changed underpants.
At least I was able to use the info on here to get it back up and running OK.
Problem was a write error flashing the suggested radio - at 99% got an error 226.

DTBrum said:
plan being to leave enough free space on the device to install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check my previous post.
try flashing from SD card, a lot of troubles with cable/pc/connector
format small (256MB) SD card with FAT32,
rename ruu_signed.nbh file to KAISIMG.NBH place on root of SD
hold camera button and start or reset pda

I think to be honest I'm a little paranoid about keeping the device memory free. The reason is my wife has an O2 Orbit which was running wm5. It has been updated to WM6 and she has very little free storage memory at all on the device to the point where we have struggled getting some programs installed. I know most give you the option to install to storage card or device, but some don't. Also the ones that do install on the storage card often put some files onto the device, such as help or configuration files.
I know this HTC has a lot more memory so it probably isn't an issue in reality.
I'm up to speed about the different types of memory and whether an app is consuming processing power or just storage space depending upon if it running or not. I just didn't have a chance to read your reply before I posted- wife wanted the PC back. And I was relieved just to have the phone back working.
Papo - thanks for you help. Really appreciate it.

I had my tilt for 2 years and never worried about memory.

OK, flashed the phone a couple of times yesterday and I've now found a rom I like a lot. Even the GUI - touchflo - works like a dream and with the programs that came with the rom I can even customise it how I like. It's smooth, quick and I am yet to discover a bug.
I'll give it a run for a couple of weeks and if I decide to keep this then I'll donate.
Interestingly I flashed back to stock rom from T Mobile through links I found on here. Worked without a problem, provided a 6ft+ 16stone bloke is happy with everything in pink. So I then flashed back to the standard HTC rom wm6.1 and had lots of problems. Basic things like selecting tick boxes didn't even work well.
I understand that everyone wants different things from their phones, how they look etc and that is why it is impossible to say which rom is best. But through this site, I have a customised phone that runs so smooth and quickly and looks damn smart. So at the moment I am well chuffed.
The only really difficulty I encountered was I lost all my contacts. Activesync wouldn't restore them and the backup I took was incomplete as I only backed up the sim and not the phone. D'oh. Anyway I've now sorted this out as I found all the old contacts in outlook deleted items. I restored them back to the contacts folder and synced them again and it's all now back up and running.
Off to have a play
If she lets me I may even flash the wifes O2 Orbit XDA. It's been upgraded from wm5 to wm6 and the new rom leaves very little free memory on the device itself and we do struggle at times getting some software onto it. The version of TomTom I have doesn't let you choose where to install it to, it just goes onto the device. I have manually moved it back to the SD card and made new shortcuts etc, but I feel a new rom from this site would be the way to go.
Thank you to all who helped me.

DTBrum said:
difficulty I encountered was I lost all my contacts. Activesync wouldn't restore them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
activeSync & outlook played tricks on me too, deleting or doubling all contacts... even easier than backing up by backup program, is to copy 'RAW' database in pda before re-flashing. it's all in one file called PIM.VOL in root of phone. calendar is there as well. you can copy this to SD and upon reflashing copy back to root of pda and see what PC's outlook will have to say to it. or just keep on SD as 2nd backup.
note, the file may be locked by running programs (contacts, messages, home plugin) kill them from taskman in that case.
The version of TomTom I have doesn't let you choose where to install it to, it just goes onto the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tomtom app is two files tomtom nav.exe and data.chk, put them anywhere you like and the rest, config files, will be created by it.
but it runs really slow from SD. and taking 13MB, so again, it's best to have them in ROM.