Moto DROID Myths Dispelled?

[tgambitg]

Myth: I need a task killer to get my phone to run at it's peak!
Fact: The way the OS works, if it isn't running as a service or currently active, it takes no resources. So no, you don't need a task killer!

Myth: I need a screen protector on my DROID to prevent the screen from getting scratched!
Fact: The DROID's screen is pretty strong, there are numerous videos of the screen taking direct scratch attempts using keys, nails, etc. You practically need something as hard as a diamond to scratch it.

Add your own observations!

 

[bowerman]

Well, you may not NEED a task killer, but if i have been using my phone for a lot of stuff, it gets SLOW and LAGGY. So I either use my task killer to speed things back up or restart the phone. I agree that the OS is supposed to keep things moving, but all i am saying is that sometimes it does a bad job.

As far as the screen, it is very resistant to scratches, but I still use a screen protector. Silicone in sand has no problem scratching the screen, and there are small particles of sand all over the place. Of all my friends who have droids that do not use a screen protector, all have scratched screens.

So these are my observations! LOL.

 

[jjfreak5]

Well, you may not NEED a task killer, but if i have been using my phone for a lot of stuff, it gets SLOW and LAGGY. So I either use my task killer to speed things back up or restart the phone. I agree that the OS is supposed to keep things moving, but all i am saying is that sometimes it does a bad job.

With FroYo, though, you can just go into the applications tab and force close anything you don't need to be running in this case. Now I understand if you use a task killer and you like it why not, but I used to and have found since not using it my phone has gotten better. This is just my observations though, and to each their own. Either way this phone is so great!!

 

[Thornfullessrose]

After breaking my task killer addiction, my droid has thanked me. Its much faster and snappier! Plus who wants to keep restarting tasks when your os does a good job of maintaining them and starting you from where you left off? Also you get that feeling like you're getting in the way of what your os and processor are doing. Like if someone at your workplace kept coming in your office trying to help you do your job but they are only disorganizing you and getting in your way.

I dropped my droid thrice and have no scratches on screen and once it slid across the ground face down. The droids metal around the screen is raised.

My obs and op.

 

[snapcase]

Myth: I need a task killer to get my phone to run at it's peak!
Fact: The way the OS works, if it isn't running as a service or currently active, it takes no resources. So no, you don't need a task killer!

Myth: I need a screen protector on my DROID to prevent the screen from getting scratched!
Fact: The DROID's screen is pretty strong, there are numerous videos of the screen taking direct scratch attempts using keys, nails, etc. You practically need something as hard as a diamond to scratch it.

Add your own observations!

Ugh.

Ok for your first point, task killers indeed have their uses. Lots of apps are badly coded and do NOT stop using resources after running in the background for a while. And with Froyo, if you don't leave so much free memory, it seems to kill the ability to multitask by automatically killing the app you were just using as soon as you hit the home button. They're not some magical panacea, and sure most people don't use them right, but it's kinda annoying people getting on the soap box for either side of the debate already. They're not cure-alls, and they're likewise not the "worst thing you could install on your phone" as I've seen it put on this forum.

The second part, "You practically need something as hard as a diamond to scratch it." It's called Quartz. Sand. Get a little grit in your pocket and you'll eventually notice tiny little scratches. Let it go long enough it'll get more noticeable. A lot of blue jeans are tumbled with sand (most actually) and some tiny amount is often left behind in the fabric. Add in the possibility of other such abrasives finding their way into your pocket and you have ample reason to put a screen protector on the phone. My first droid got tiny scratches after about 2 weeks of use, and it was only ever put in an otherwise empty jean pocket. Gorilla Glass is strong stuff for sure, but it's still glass, and it'll still scratch, albeit not as easily as some types.

 

[smacky]

You don't need a task killer, no. If you enjoy your battery draining like a bitch if a poorly-written program remains open. The Camera is also another culprit in it.

You should probably leave the advice to the experts on the forum. It sounds like you just read your argument on a blog and are just regurgitating it back to us. We've read many things similar to this. There's still nothing conclusive about Task Killers.

 

[Motormech]

As far as task killers go I have used one off and on. I really haven't noticed any real difference either way. I think its just personal preference and what works best for the individual user. Just my two cents on that.

However when it comes to the screen protector I have a definite opinion on the matter. I scratched the hell out of my screen and I have no idea how I did it. You could only see it when the screen was off but still it was deep. I work in the automotive field and the phone lives in a not so friendly environment. I now consider a couple of bucks for a protector as cheap insurance. I would stay away from the "anti-glare" protector though as it degrades the quality of the resolution. Also it looks like crap when the screen is off and makes you want to constantly clean the screen.

 

[shadowdude777]

I'm tired of reading that task killers are ruining your battery life, your performance, and don't help at all. Similarly, I'm tired of reading that task killers are amazing and that you'll benefit from auto-killing. Yes, it's true that Linux manages memory efficiently by itself. But that is memory. There are other components, you know. Would you let Ubuntu run every program ever on your computer simultaneously and count on it to run smoothly? No, because there are factors like CPU load (which then ties into battery life). Use a task killer when you want to get rid of apps that are using clock cycles for no reason, and misbehaving apps. THAT'S IT.

 

[ckochinsky125]

Myth: I need a task killer to get my phone to run at it's peak!
Fact: The way the OS works, if it isn't running as a service or currently active, it takes no resources. So no, you don't need a task killer!

Myth: I need a screen protector on my DROID to prevent the screen from getting scratched!
Fact: The DROID's screen is pretty strong, there are numerous videos of the screen taking direct scratch attempts using keys, nails, etc. You practically need something as hard as a diamond to scratch it.

Add your own observations!

I would still put a screen protector on i have seen droids fall and hit the pavement and there were scratches all over the screen and i have a screen protector on and dropped it and have no scratches.

 

[smacky]

I'm tired of reading that task killers are ruining your battery life, your performance, and don't help at all. Similarly, I'm tired of reading that task killers are amazing and that you'll benefit from auto-killing. Yes, it's true that Linux manages memory efficiently by itself. But that is memory. There are other components, you know. Would you let Ubuntu run every program ever on your computer simultaneously and count on it to run smoothly? No, because there are factors like CPU load (which then ties into battery life). Use a task killer when you want to get rid of apps that are using clock cycles for no reason, and misbehaving apps. THAT'S IT.

This crap gets spewed by members that are sheep and don't think about what they are reading. They pass the same article around like a whore as if it is the truth, and then the ignorance snowballs.

"Need" is the key word. You don't need one if you don't want to. But there are apps that do not always close out completely and properly. They remain open in the background and sap battery life. They are not necessarily third-party apps; the Camera app stays open from time to time after taking pictures. How do you end it? Backing out does not always work. And why should you have to back out and not just hit Home every time if "the OS manages memory the way it needs to be?"

So there are some uses for it. Some people use ones that I don't and have never heard of. I use ATK by ReChild. Task managers, task killers...they all have different names and uses, but the ATK I use works fine for me, coupled with its widget.

Now that I'm rooted and can delete crap programs like Amazon, Twitter, Car, Goggles, and Visual Voicemail, I uninstalled ATK because those programs don't open up anymore. I also deleted crap apps that wouldn't close properly and everything is fine.

So if you are rooted and removed the bloatware, you should be ok. That's all I ever really used it for. For shutting the programs I have now removed. If not, you still don't have to use a TK, but it certainly helps sometimes.

 

[MicroNix]

You don't need a task killer, no. If you enjoy your battery draining like a bitch if a poorly-written program remains open. The Camera is also another culprit in it.

You should probably leave the advice to the experts on the forum. It sounds like you just read your argument on a blog and are just regurgitating it back to us. We've read many things similar to this. There's still nothing conclusive about Task Killers.

Does the Android platform lack that many apps that you need to settle for ANY poorly-written program? So one runs another program to kill the poorly written program they just downloaded? Seems to me the problem here is people settling for garbage apps. There's plenty of excellent apps in the market that garbage apps aren't needed. Would you settle for garbage apps on your PC that make it run slow? No. Why do the same for your Android device?

 

[Thornfullessrose]

Does the Android platform lack that many apps that you need to settle for ANY poorly-written program? So one runs another program to kill the poorly written program they just downloaded? Seems to me the problem here is people settling for garbage apps. There's plenty of excellent apps in the market that garbage apps aren't needed. Would you settle for garbage apps on your PC that make it run slow? No. Why do the same for your Android device?

EXACTLY!!! I was thinking the same thing. Who actually uses those apps if they are poorly written? Thats pretty dumb to keep it in your phone.

 

[smacky]

Does the Android platform lack that many apps that you need to settle for ANY poorly-written program? So one runs another program to kill the poorly written program they just downloaded? Seems to me the problem here is people settling for garbage apps. There's plenty of excellent apps in the market that garbage apps aren't needed. Would you settle for garbage apps on your PC that make it run slow? No. Why do the same for your Android device?

Sure thing, bud. Teach me how to delete Camera and provide an argument for deleting MLB At Bat.

Thanks

 

[Joon525]

Myth: I need a screen protector on my DROID to prevent the screen from getting scratched!
Fact: The DROID's screen is pretty strong, there are numerous videos of the screen taking direct scratch attempts using keys, nails, etc. You practically need something as hard as a diamond to scratch it.

Not true. Mine was scratched in my pocket. Don't know if it was keys or something else but it was definitely scratched.
Numerous other people have reported the same.