New approach to theming. I need a programmers help.

[andrewfblack]

Ok right now themeing is done by installing a theme and then setting it and that theme sets everything from lockslider to, backgrounds, desktop, colors, icons and everything. What my idea is to have one theme you can install along with a program that lets you customize the theme. You can use the program to download a new icon pack only or new lockslider only or what ever you want to customizie. So you can have the lockslider from one theme and the icons from another.

I am willing to head this up. I will make the base theme. I will write guides to how to setup your zip files for your lockscreens, or icon packs, or any other parts. I will host a server where you can upload your zips. What I need is a programmer to write a program that you can open up, tell it what you want to customize and it will list all the packages for that. Then you download package and it replaces those files in the programs theme folder.

So for instance lets say you want to change your lockslider.

You open program
You Click LockSliders
Program shows all locksliders uploaded to server
You click one you want and tell it to install.
Program downloads zip, and extracts it in the programs theme folder overriding old files.
You change to Programs theme and you have new lockslider
.

I really need a programmer to make this work. If your intersted in this please contact me. This could allow unlimited custom sets. Also it helps artist that can't figure out how to theme because all they have to do is zip up file in a certain folder setup. Also program could have option to just load a local zip file you have also. Instead of downloading from server.

[Elhana]

Make some sort of online theme builder which then combines choises into a deb package and lets you download it - much better than replacing default theme, because if you fail somewhere replacing it might end up terribad

[Texrat]

You may want to contact code177 with that idea Andrew. He just released the Prismic wallpaper manager.

[andrewfblack]

Make some sort of online theme builder which then combines choises into a deb package and lets you download it - much better than replacing default theme, because if you fail somewhere replacing it might end up terribad

It wont overwrite default theme just a default one for the app, that you could reinstall if needed.

[andrewfblack]

Update: I have one programmer(Brendan[BP]/blwthompson) working on the application right now, I am in need of someone who knows php/mysql to help with an upload script that will add entrys into a database table about the new file.

I also could use any more programmers willing to help. I will work on guides to setup your packages soon.

[blwthompson]

this shall be done it QT :)

[d-iivil]

I can offer php and mysql knowledge and also can help with unlimited bandwidth host if needed.

[andrewfblack]

I can offer php and mysql knowledge and also can help with unlimited bandwidth host if needed.

Sure I was cosidering hosting it on my godaddy account but if we can hook us up with unlimited bandwidth that would be great.

[andrewfblack]

Project has a name. Buildon - Build your own Hildon theme.

[d-iivil]

Sure I was cosidering hosting it on my godaddy account but if we can hook us up with unlimited bandwidth that would be great.

Yep and it's not even expensive; 120EUR / year and includes 100/100mb connection, unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, e-mails etc. Server is located at Innopoli (http://www.technopolis.fi/index.php?id=6&lang_id=1) (Espoo, Finland) and has also 24/7 running backup service in the same price. I'm using it for several web-projects for years.

[andrewfblack]

That would be cool if you don't mind setting me up with an account on it. Right now I'm going to hand upload a packages and setup our db and add entrys to db by hand. That way we can test it on the app then I need a webscript that takes a file, type, name, and description uploads file to correct folder for type. Then add entry to database.

Guess I need to register a domain name also.

[d-iivil]

That would be cool if you don't mind setting me up with an account on it. Right now I'm going to hand upload a packages and setup our db and add entrys to db by hand. That way we can test it on the app then I need a webscript that takes a file, type, name, and description uploads file to correct folder for type. Then add entry to database.

Guess I need to register a domain name also.

I shall PM you later with the details :)

[andrewfblack]

thanks man

[Elisa]

This is really a great idea andrewfblack! :)

[ajamils]

Sounds very exciting. Looking forward to this project.

[andrewfblack]

I'm not sure the the one programmer who was offering to help is still going to or not havn't seen in a few days but I am going to offer a bounty to help me get atleast a basic program working. Something that maybe I can use to help me learn and build on it from their.

Pay will depend on how much work you are willing to do. Please PM or see me on IRC if you want to talk about it.

[Jerome]

Just an idea:

what you want to do is easier to achieve with a project which would be the opposite of theme maker: a software to build the complete png template image from an existing theme. I guess that this should be doable with a photoshop macro...

[d-iivil]

Just an idea:

what you want to do is easier to achieve with a project which would be the opposite of theme maker: a software to build the complete png template image from an existing theme. I guess that this should be doable with a photoshop macro...

I think you didn't get the idea of this project :)

[Jerome]

Possibly. I thought that the idea was to customize an existing theme. What I suggest allows that in a simple manner. It does not allow to customize a theme in the device itself, that is true.

[d-iivil]

Possibly. I thought that the idea was to customize an existing theme. What I suggest allows that in a simple manner. It does not allow to customize a theme in the device itself, that is true.

The idea was to have a "bank" on the internet with peaces of themes where user can choose which parts they want to use and then download it to the phone. Theme creators or modders could then just release for example a cool lock screen and users could download it to their phone with the software inside the phone.

[Jerome]

I see. Then this idea won't work. The way themes are designed, there are very few elements which can be exchanged without the resulting themes looking wrong. The elements aren't as independent as you may think. And even for the elements which are independent, the whole idea of a "theme" is that all elements are somewhat related (as the name "theme" says).

[d-iivil]

I see. Then this idea won't work. The way themes are designed, there are very few elements which can be exchanged without the resulting themes looking wrong. The elements aren't as independent as you may think. And even for the elements which are independent, the whole idea of a "theme" is that all elements are somewhat related (as the name "theme" says).

I do know how themes are constructed.

Still I think it's a good idea to give people freedom to customize the outlook easily. They can pick the homescreen widgets they like, they can pick the calendar backgrounds they like etc etc.

If someone want's to have a theme that has bits and pieces that doesn't match each other then let him do that :)

[andrewfblack]

I see. Then this idea won't work. The way themes are designed, there are very few elements which can be exchanged without the resulting themes looking wrong. The elements aren't as independent as you may think. And even for the elements which are independent, the whole idea of a "theme" is that all elements are somewhat related (as the name "theme" says).

I'm almost certain it will work but I might be wrong I know alot of people might want a differant keyboard to go with a theme, or maybe to change font colors, or maybe change way lock screen looks. This program wont change every element one at a time. So it will still be themes.

[Dousan]

Whats the progress on this Andrew? Sounds really good to me if its possible :D

[andrewfblack]

Its possible to be done still but I find my self lacking a programmer to help me get it done. Unless I find one the idea is dead.

[NvyUs]

wow cool project, how did i miss this
from what i understand this will be like winterboard on jailbroken Idevices what allows you to change lock screens, icons, app skins, etc.
great idea imo i hope it works out

[lowtek]

makes me wish i could program for you. i don't have the n900, but a website like this for all the tablets would be great. couldn't someone do this client in python? or if you're really desperate, bash scripts?

[noobmonkey]

Hi andrew, i actually love the idea, and could try when i get some more free time, but being very new to all of this is might take a while.... just wondering if all the peoples here could start thinking about the screens/functions required.

Basic functions:
List all themes available
Set Theme
Delete Theme
Create Theme(Needs splitting down)
Edit theme (Needs splitting down)

Creating a theme:
What parts are needed for this? - known list of all requirements needed, and what any control files folders are?

Editing a theme:
Determining what parts make each theme
Showing previews
ability to edit certain parts (Apply function?)


And above all - i'd suggest very good bug / issue checking ;) (Don't want a screwie theme!)

edit - Andrew - did you put this as an idea for GSOC? :D

[Dousan]

That sounds really cool noobmonkey :D

[Dousan]

Hi @andrewfblak and @noobmonkey has the funeral bin or is there chance of resurrection of this idea :D

[optimaxxx]

love it!

type-ity-type-type

[noobmonkey]

hehe still up for doing it - just facing the reality of normal life versus coding :)

[aldevil]

?? dd the development stop...? anyways i would like 2 help by testing it

[d-iivil]

hehe still up for doing it - just facing the reality of normal life versus coding :)

Real life? What is that? Something to eat?

[noobmonkey]

?? dd the development stop...? anyways i would like 2 help by testing it

It never started :)

I started the ball rolling by asking for ideas - and well - no one else has actually said anything yet :P

[Dousan]

It never started :)

I started the ball rolling by asking for ideas - and well - no one else has actually said anything yet :P

Then i will try to keep it rolling ;)

I would like to be able to change icons in the statusarea and desktop bar area with an easy to use GUI and all small icons around the OS. Example: close button on windows, musicplayer buttons/looks - widget aswell as mainplayer, app manager buttons/backgrounds, lockscreen slider/background, shortcut pics on desktop.

In short make it easier to mod your phone without the use off mc, xterm, ssh and likes.

And to change the main look of the phone, here i meen the theme. There could be some base themes to install (could be D-livil base themes, matrix, andrewfblacks themes, maemoitalia_grafitti and so on) and therefrom change icons and bacgrounds and colors and stuff like that :D

Could be done with a website to download stuff from but allso natively on the phone from directories, if one did some icons themself or you got them from an otherplace than the website.

I used to have a LG viewty and did some modding with hacks i got from a forum like this. On that forum some dudes made a program that could do some of the things that andrew where talking about in the first post. They made a program and a website for themes and some hacks, dialpad, mplayer and stuff like that and then developers just uploaded things to the site. The program was really easy to use. You could either download the stuff to your pc and then later install it trough the program or directly install it. It allso had a preview of the theme/hack before install or download.

What i would like is an app that works nativly on our phone so you don't have to be in need of any pc to make it work :D

Hope this is a start ;)

If you need it i think i might be able to find the installer for the program so you could see the basics of the program. (it's windows based)

[noobmonkey]

the only downside i see is probably needing to reboot to get it working... i wonder if there is a command to do a refresh so to speak?

[joppu]

killall hildon-desktop

Should do the trick.