How can we make the XDA forums better?

[Timmmmaaahh!]

There are a few ways to potentially improve the XDA forums:

1. Encourage more active moderation to keep discussions on topic and to remove spam or offensive posts.
2. Consider implementing a system for a rating or flagging posts to make it easier for users to identify high-quality content.
3. Increase user engagement by encouraging users to participate in community-building activities, such as hackathons or coding competitions.
4. Introduce new features and functionalities, such as a mobile app or integration with other platforms, to make it easier for users to access and participate in discussions.
5. Consider creating a more personalized user experience by implementing a system that suggests content based on the user's interests.
6. Make sure that the forum is easy to navigate, search and understand.
7. Create a clear and detailed guideline on how to post and engage in the forum.

Hey Emily!

Thank you. Some great ideas there! Despite the title, I don't have much say in the direction our XDA ship is sailing but from experience I can provide a little feedback.

1. We're currently a strong team of amazing people (here's a list) I have the honour of working with to keep this forum clean. You can't imagine the number of spam and such that doesn't even reach public view. Every single day our team makes vast efforts for the love of community. Of course, we can always use an extra hand. By all means, people, become a moderator!
2. Some things are already in place. On the homepage there's the Top Forums, which is perhaps a bit too general. There's also a What's New to see what's currently going on. When viewing a thread, there's a 'TOP LIKED POSTS' on the right side that gives you a general idea of the most relevant posts in that thread. An interesting page is Notable Members, which gives you an overview of the most popular contributors. The current like-system should already give an indication of content quality.
3. Very much a fan of this! Hear her out, XDA!
4. The XDA app is a whole other category... I think there's currently a pretty low threshold to participate in discussions but ideas are always welcome!
5. Not a fan of this myself. Do we want to become another social media platform? I'm not sure people want to be subjected to yet another algorithm. It would also defeat the purpose of many privacy focused projects here.
6. We've already transitioned to a newer system that can better handle the mountains of data that XDA holds. It's still just a crazy amount so keeping a clean overview is a massive task. I personally think it's not too bad but there's always room for improvement. Search could be much better indeed.
7. You may have spotted this gem on the Notable Members page, @sd_shadow has your back! Make sure to check out the [Index] XDA 2021: How to Navigate the New Site Layout thread, a masterful guide of all things XDA. Oh and don't forget the Forum Rules!

I hope this has been somewhat helpful to you and I'm sure your ideas won't go unnoticed

 

[JimReid]

There needs to be a newbe section for every group. Having been in the technical field for over 50 years from mainframes to pc's to android phones I still need the newbe group to explain basics from best apps to how to root a phone without 'bricking' it. In the newbe sections the phones that require different efforts to do different things should be divided by the version. I believe these changes would make it much easier for new people to get into the different options they can do without loosing them in jargon. I learned this years ago when teaching COBOL to future mainframe developers that it had to be in their language and not computerese. Just my opinion.

 

[Timmmmaaahh!]

There needs to be a newbe section for every group. Having been in the technical field for over 50 years from mainframes to pc's to android phones I still need the newbe group to explain basics from best apps to how to root a phone without 'bricking' it. In the newbe sections the phones that require different efforts to do different things should be divided by the version. I believe these changes would make it much easier for new people to get into the different options they can do without loosing them in jargon. I learned this years ago when teaching COBOL to future mainframe developers that it had to be in their language and not computerese. Just my opinion.

A lot of sections have a help thread that is marked "Noob friendly". They are usually started by recognised contributors but they don't have to be. XDA merely facilitates the tools, the community (i.e. you) decides on its content and expertise level.
If you meant to have an extra "Newbie" tag added to the ones we already have (General, Question, How To Guide, Development, Themes / Apps / Mods & Accessories) then I don't think it would be very useful. Where does the newbie end and where does the expert begin? Such massive gray area. Not to mention the differences in fields. One might be an expert at rooting but know very little about kernels.
We should also ask: does it have to be easier for new people? OS modding – the largest topic on XDA – requires a lot of research and messing things up. Bricking a device is essential in learning the relevant skills. If we don't experience that 'TWRP Error 7' for ourselves, we'll never learn the essence of it. If I'd had to sum it up, this would be the order of an average member's path:

1. Finding XDA via a techy search a few times
2. Sporadically lurking around the forum for a while
3. Signing up for a profile: "Ooh, developer stuff!"
4. Trying to mess with a device, asking questions that have been answered before
5. Bricking a device, post in panic mode: "HALP!!"
6. Do more research and ask the right questions, begin to understand the basics
7. Help someone else out for a change: "I got this!"
8. Beginning to develop an advanced understanding of a device and its inner workings
9. See the world around you in code.. No wait, that's fiction. Or is it?

Anyway, a lot of variations and shortcuts are possible. Sometimes it's just:

1. XDA is stupid, I don't care *remains on stock*

Please correct me if I misinterpreted your intention and I may be overthinking all of this... I'll stop talking now

 

[JimReid]

A lot of sections have a help thread that is marked "Noob friendly". They are usually started by recognised contributors but they don't have to be. XDA merely facilitates the tools, the community (i.e. you) decides on its content and expertise level.
If you meant to have an extra "Newbie" tag added to the ones we already have (General, Question, How To Guide, Development, Themes / Apps / Mods & Accessories) then I don't think it would be very useful. Where does the newbie end and where does the expert begin? Such massive gray area. Not to mention the differences in fields. One might be an expert at rooting but know very little about kernels.
We should also ask: does it have to be easier for new people? OS modding – the largest topic on XDA – requires a lot of research and messing things up. Bricking a device is essential in learning the relevant skills. If we don't experience that 'TWRP Error 7' for ourselves, we'll never learn the essence of it. If I'd had to sum it up, this would be the order of an average member's path:

1. Finding XDA via a techy search a few times
2. Sporadically lurking around the forum for a while
3. Signing up for a profile: "Ooh, developer stuff!"
4. Trying to mess with a device, asking questions that have been answered before
5. Bricking a device, post in panic mode: "HALP!!"
6. Do more research and ask the right questions, begin to understand the basics
7. Help someone else out for a change: "I got this!"
8. Beginning to develop an advanced understanding of a device and its inner workings
9. See the world around you in code.. No wait, that's fiction. Or is it?

Anyway, a lot of variations and shortcuts are possible. Sometimes it's just:

1. XDA is stupid, I don't care *remains on stock*

Please correct me if I misinterpreted your intention and I may be overthinking all of this... I'll stop talking now

I'm just thinking that there should be an easier way to find answers for a person who doesn't know ALL the jargon. My self I'd like to ROOT my phone but am scared of 'Bricking" it. I also don't know what I would loose in functionality if I root my phone (pros and cons) and finally is it specifically for a S9+ or is there a difference between different S9+'s like there is between S22 (US or overseas versions) These are all questions that could be in a newbe section for the S9/S9+ and that is what I was suggesting. As for when is a newbe not a newbe I think that is a question for the user. If he is getting bored with reading what he already knows then I gues 'he/she' would decide not to be a newbe anylonger.

 

[wenyendev]

Keep moving.

Rules of the forum could be more explicit and detailed.

Hopefully, there would not be any changes as for the ownership of XDA...

 

[sd_shadow]

Keep moving.

Rules of the forum could be more explicit and detailed.

The rules are written in plain English, clear and concise.
Search before asking, don’t get us in trouble.

 

[Timmmmaaahh!]

Keep moving.

Rules of the forum could be more explicit and detailed.

Hopefully, there would not be any changes as for the ownership of XDA...

What's unclear about the Forum Rules? I'd love to hear constructive feedback.

 

[sd_shadow]

There needs to be a newbe section for every group. Having been in the technical field for over 50 years from mainframes to pc's to android phones I still need the newbe group to explain basics from best apps to how to root a phone without 'bricking' it. In the newbe sections the phones that require different efforts to do different things should be divided by the version. I believe these changes would make it much easier for new people to get into the different options they can do without loosing them in jargon. I learned this years ago when teaching COBOL to future mainframe developers that it had to be in their language and not computerese. Just my opinion.

Never going to happen, there isn't enough staff to even start something like that.
There have been several initiatives to start Indexes, help threads, and FaQs...
They always run out of steam after a few months.
But I could be wrong, write something up, and try to get some people involved.

 

[wenyendev]

What's unclear about the Forum Rules? I'd love to hear constructive feedback.

I have discussed amicably about that with Oswald Boelcke.

 

[wenyendev]

What's unclear about the Forum Rules? I'd love to hear constructive feedback.

Well, if the title of this thread is "How can we make the XDA forums better?".

Please kindly refer to 2 threads below:

[Question] Fastboot oem unlock failed to unlock bootloader

Hi there, The device is - usb debugging; - oem unlock in Developer options; both enabled. adb devices recognized device. In fastboot mode, fastboot oem unlock returned OKAY [ 0.007s] Finished. Total time: 0.019s And the device rebooted...

forum.xda-developers.com

Discussion about thread posting or forum moderation on XDA?

Hi there, Is there any channel on the forum that enables member to discuss about the thread posting or moderation? Or shall members keep it in private with moderators? It is a pity that personal judgement weighed over rules...

forum.xda-developers.com

If the rules of the forum were not made more explicit, frictions like this could only prevail on the forum...

 

[Oswald Boelcke]

I have discussed amicably about that with Oswald Boelcke.

I'm sorry. Because I couldn't remember any discussion with you about forum rules, I've checked my conversations. We had two of those, both brief and initiated by you. One you started on 2022-09-18, the other one on 2023-01-21.
None of them had forum rules as topic or as a side note. We've never discuss forum rules!

 

[wenyendev]

I'm sorry. Because I couldn't remember any discussion with you about forum rules, I've checked my conversations. We had two of those, both brief and initiated by you. One you started on 2022-09-18, the other one on 2023-01-21.
None of them had forum rules as topic or as a side note. We've never discuss forum rules!

The discussion was referred to the aforementioned thread:

Discussion about thread posting or forum moderation on XDA?

Hi there, Is there any channel on the forum that enables member to discuss about the thread posting or moderation? Or shall members keep it in private with moderators? It is a pity that personal judgement weighed over rules...

forum.xda-developers.com

By posting here, I believed that we might be able to make this forum better.

 

[Oswald Boelcke]

The discussion was referred to the aforementioned thread:

Discussion about thread posting or forum moderation on XDA?

Hi there, Is there any channel on the forum that enables member to discuss about the thread posting or moderation? Or shall members keep it in private with moderators? It is a pity that personal judgement weighed over rules...

forum.xda-developers.com

By posting here, I believed that we might be able to make this forum better.

Thanks a lot for pointing me to the post/thread. I've to admit I don't really have oversight over my posts. And memory in my age...???

 

[Fytdyh]

i loved what xda labs used to be, news and appstore. i would love to see an xda app market for newly developed apps by xda users, either as a webpage or an android app

 

[Timmmmaaahh!]

Well, if the title of this thread is "How can we make the XDA forums better?".

Please kindly refer to 2 threads below:

[Question] Fastboot oem unlock failed to unlock bootloader

Hi there, The device is - usb debugging; - oem unlock in Developer options; both enabled. adb devices recognized device. In fastboot mode, fastboot oem unlock returned OKAY [ 0.007s] Finished. Total time: 0.019s And the device rebooted...

forum.xda-developers.com

Discussion about thread posting or forum moderation on XDA?

Hi there, Is there any channel on the forum that enables member to discuss about the thread posting or moderation? Or shall members keep it in private with moderators? It is a pity that personal judgement weighed over rules...

forum.xda-developers.com

If the rules of the forum were not made more explicit, frictions like this could only prevail on the forum...

The discussion was referred to the aforementioned thread:

Discussion about thread posting or forum moderation on XDA?

Hi there, Is there any channel on the forum that enables member to discuss about the thread posting or moderation? Or shall members keep it in private with moderators? It is a pity that personal judgement weighed over rules...

forum.xda-developers.com

By posting here, I believed that we might be able to make this forum better.

I've thoroughly reviewed the above and it looks like you want us to revise the forum rules because according to you there has been an "arbitrary" intervention by one of our moderators concerning two of your threads. You've complained publicly about it a few times already, even created 2 dedicated threads about just this (in which you disclosed private communication of a moderator), and it's essentially about merging two threads, which arguably are about the same thing (while you had already created 50+ question threads in the past 5 months). I fail to see how changing the rules to serve you better personally would "make this forum better" for everyone. We will always have "frictions like this", even if we'd add 36 paragraphs to those rules. Above all, you didn't provide any conscience suggestion related to the topic, except for a vague "could be more explicit and detailed.". We are more than willing to engage a wider discussion on a certain rule if it can be improved but as I stated before: it needs to be constructive. Further unconstructive chatter is also welcome but only in my/our PM box

 

[Timmmmaaahh!]

i loved what xda labs used to be, news and appstore. i would love to see an xda app market for newly developed apps by xda users, either as a webpage or an android app

Ah yes, the good old Labs, those were the days! Hey, a little birdie told me that the portal should be getting some more dev love in the near future so we'll see how that goes...

 

[wenyendev]

I've thoroughly reviewed the above and it looks like you want us to revise the forum rules because according to you there has been an "arbitrary" intervention by one of our moderators concerning two of your threads. You've complained publicly about it a few times already, even created 2 dedicated threads about just this (in which you disclosed private communication of a moderator), and it's essentially about merging two threads, which arguably are about the same thing (while you had already created 50+ question threads in the past 5 months). I fail to see how changing the rules to serve you better personally would "make this forum better" for everyone. We will always have "frictions like this", even if we'd add 36 paragraphs to those rules. Above all, you didn't provide any conscience suggestion related to the topic, except for a vague "could be more explicit and detailed.". We are more than willing to engage a wider discussion on a certain rule if it can be improved but as I stated before: it needs to be constructive. Further unconstructive chatter is also welcome but only in my/our PM box

Thanks for your reply.

I am not a part of committee responsible of reviewing and changing the rules.

I am a member who related my experiences in the forum.

One private message I had sent to Oswald Boelcke was to signal a thread which contained a potential fishing link that demanded members' user name and password, which he subsequently closed.
I do not see how it would "serve me personally better".

I am disappointed by the reactions in this thread.

 

[sd_shadow]

...I am disappointed by the reactions in this thread.

It appears all decisions from moderators came from Rule 5.

As a large forum, we don't need unnecessary clutter.

• Duplicate threads and posts will be removed
• Always post in an existing thread if a topic already exists, before creating a new thread.

You don't need to create a new thread for every question.
"You're free to edit your message as you like" (and thread title).

 

[wenyendev]

It appears all decisions from moderators came from Rule 5.


You don't need to create a new thread for every question.
"You're free to edit your message as you like" (and thread title).

Apparently, we have divergent opinions on the definition of "duplicate messages".

If the committee were not willing to review and potentially change rules, any further discussion here would be a waste of time.

 

[Timmmmaaahh!]

Apparently, we have divergent opinions on the definition of "duplicate messages".

If the committee were not willing to review and potentially change rules, any further discussion here would be a waste of time.

While you still haven't suggested anything solid, you conclude that we're "not willing". This seems defamatory, please only make constructive suggestions here instead of just dismissing the way this forum has been running for the past two decades.