I get this question (via PM) almost every day. Here's my list.
What am I missing?
- Everyone has there own favorite apps, but I think there is ONE app that no DROID should be without. ASTRO File Manager! Not only is it a good utility for exploring your sdcard, but it also backs-up and restores your apps. Excellent! And don't rely on Google to do this for you. Many have been burned by this, don't let it happen to you.
- Root it! The pros WAY out-weigh the cons. (Is there a single con?) And I have yet to hear of one soul bricking their DROID doing it, so what are you waiting for?
- Install the SPRecovery console. It is thee way to do complete backups of your entire DROID. It also happens to be the method that most devs are using to install their ROMs.
- Nandroid backup. Take a snap shot of your DROID every time before doing anything major to it. That way, you can always revert back. Think of your nandroid backup as your safety net.
- ROM it! Lots of good ROMs out there. I highly recommend Pete's 0.8.4 "Bugless Beauty". It's the fastest ROM I've tested to date, and it is loaded with lots of 2.1 goodies.
- Install a Home-Replacement app. I personally like Sweeter Home Preview 2, but it's probably not for everybody. It comes with a learning curve, but it pays off BIG once you learn it. Others like Home++, GDE, Open Home, dxTop, Launcher +, and so on. They are all arguably better than the stock homescreen that 2.0.1 comes with. 2,1's "Launcher" isn't too bad. But I think it's very laggy for now. We'll see what it's really like when the official 2.1 release is out.
Well, that's it. Six steps to the perfect DROID.
What am I missing?
- Everyone has there own favorite apps, but I think there is ONE app that no DROID should be without. ASTRO File Manager! Not only is it a good utility for exploring your sdcard, but it also backs-up and restores your apps. Excellent! And don't rely on Google to do this for you. Many have been burned by this, don't let it happen to you.
- Root it! The pros WAY out-weigh the cons. (Is there a single con?) And I have yet to hear of one soul bricking their DROID doing it, so what are you waiting for?
- Install the SPRecovery console. It is thee way to do complete backups of your entire DROID. It also happens to be the method that most devs are using to install their ROMs.
- Nandroid backup. Take a snap shot of your DROID every time before doing anything major to it. That way, you can always revert back. Think of your nandroid backup as your safety net.
- ROM it! Lots of good ROMs out there. I highly recommend Pete's 0.8.4 "Bugless Beauty". It's the fastest ROM I've tested to date, and it is loaded with lots of 2.1 goodies.
- Install a Home-Replacement app. I personally like Sweeter Home Preview 2, but it's probably not for everybody. It comes with a learning curve, but it pays off BIG once you learn it. Others like Home++, GDE, Open Home, dxTop, Launcher +, and so on. They are all arguably better than the stock homescreen that 2.0.1 comes with. 2,1's "Launcher" isn't too bad. But I think it's very laggy for now. We'll see what it's really like when the official 2.1 release is out.
Well, that's it. Six steps to the perfect DROID.