02-15-2007, 12:44 AM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Microsoft to XDA-Developers: Remove The ROMs
"Ofcourse one can disagree over the severity of the problems caused by the availability of the images versus the impact to our community of simply removing everything. But at this point, we have no other option then to take down any and all ROM images that contain a Microsoft OS, although we still feel strongly this is a disservice not just to our own users but also to the larger community of mobile device developers and enthousiasts. But at the end of the day this is Microsoft's software and legally speaking, they are within their right to ask us to remove it. And even if there were legal ways to challenge this, we certainly do not feel like a protracted legal fight with Microsoft. They can probably afford more lawyers than we can."
It's a sad day indeed in the developer community - a great resource for ROMs is about to be dismantled (Thankfully, XDA-Developers itself will still be around, just ROM-less). While many will undoubtedly be annoyed with MS for their choice to ask XDA-Devs to remove the ROMs, I'd like to point out a few reasons why I believe MS has decided to do so...
1. They mention that "We have received feedback from several sources on the software hosted by XDA-developers, including mobile operators with customers requesting support on �unofficial ROM images�. What does this mean? Well, it means that XDA-Devs has gotten too popular - not just for for enthusiasts, but also for amateurs. Unfortunately, Amateurs install ROMs on their devices and then are informed that support will not be forthcoming from their equipment provider. This annoys novices (Who can't understand how the software that says "Microsoft" on it isn't supported), and causes headaches for OEMs.
2. This should stop (or make it harder) for unscrupulous individual vendors from popping a new ROM on a device, promoting it on eBay as "With updated software unlocking great new features", and selling it to users who are really clueless about what a ROM is. This also lowers the resell value for everyone who sells their old devices - someone with a legit ROM will get a lower price than someone with a "souped-up" ROM. With WM6 now coming out, I can see this problem getting really bad - WM6 on devices sold through eBay that were never meant to have WM6 for a variety of reasons. Could be a messy situation.
It's sad to see this resource go, but I think we all knew eventually it would be pulled. While it's annoying for the hard core enthusiasts, I believe it will be a positive move for the future of Windows Mobile in general. It's too bad that Microsoft can't just setup a repository of "development ROMs" that individuals who agree to using un-supported software can access...
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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02-15-2007, 01:23 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 88
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I think it is somehow pocket pc thoughts fault too .... since PPCT is too popular, and you put the Dopod D810 GPS enabled rom news on the front page....
Anyway, I ll miss xda-developers .....
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02-15-2007, 01:36 AM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by uccoffee
I think it is somehow pocket pc thoughts fault too .... since PPCT is too popular, and you put the Dopod D810 GPS enabled rom news on the front page....
Anyway, I ll miss xda-developers .....
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Well, we weren't exactly the only people on the net to carry that news 
And XDA-Developers isn't going away completely - just the ROMs. If the ROMs are the only thing you consider of worth at XDA-Developers, then you may want to poke around a bit more there!
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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02-15-2007, 01:40 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 784
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Would anyone happen to know if there's a WM6 ROM available for an iPaq 4100 series Pocket PC? I have a friend who may or may not be interested. :wink:
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T-Mobile Dash | HP iPAQ 4100 | HP iPAQ 2210 | HP iPAQ 1910 | Intermec 6651 | Toshiba E570 | Compaq iPAQ 3600 | Casio Pocket Viewer
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02-15-2007, 01:52 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 160
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Hopefully the windows update feature on WM6 will allow us to keep our OS's up to date just like we can with our PCs. Can the windows update program actually update the AKU of the OS, or will it be superficial updates?
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02-15-2007, 02:40 AM
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Editorial Contributor
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,411
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by JKingGrim
Can the windows update program actually update the AKU of the OS, or will it be superficial updates?
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It can. There has always been an interesting relationship between MS and those they sell (license) the OS too...the OEMs...not the consumer. So how much will actually be available via the update function remains to be seen.
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Sometimes you are the anteater, sometimes you are the ant.
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02-15-2007, 03:04 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sven
Quote:
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Originally Posted by JKingGrim
Can the windows update program actually update the AKU of the OS, or will it be superficial updates?
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It can. There has always been an interesting relationship between MS and those they sell (license) the OS too...the OEMs...not the consumer. So how much will actually be available via the update function remains to be seen. |
Yeah, I was quite surprised to hear that the update feature was going to be in WM6. I hope it will turn out to be a positive feature that allows us to get OS updates from MS. So far any speculation on this has been that the feature is a direct link to Microsoft for updates. I'm not so sure that is the case. I think it fits in with present procedures if it is a function that is controled by the carriers, and the updates still come from them, but in a more efficient manner. Who knows? At least it is a baby step in the right direction.
As for xda-developers having to take down their ROMs.....BUMMER.
Dave
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02-15-2007, 04:01 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 621
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xda-dev's is a great place, i've learned a lot from the community there it's sad that the ROMs will have to go but i hope the community stays.
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02-15-2007, 05:35 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Re: Microsoft to XDA-Developers: Remove The ROMs
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Originally Posted by Jon Westfall
I'd like to point out a few reasons why I believe MS has decided to do so...
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There's a much simpler reason, too. Cooked ROMs are a clear license violation and violate copyright laws. It's like distributing hacked-up copies of Vista. For better or worse, Microsoft's in their rights to do so.
--janak
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02-15-2007, 05:40 AM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by uccoffee
I think it is somehow pocket pc thoughts fault too .... since PPCT is too popular, and you put the Dopod D810 GPS enabled rom news on the front page....
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Note that the GPS-enabled ROM was not cooked. It was an official ROM hosted on the Dopod servers, and it was posted as news for the Dopod D810 community. You weren't encouraged to flash a non-Dopod version of the Trinity with the Dopod ROM; in fact, Jon posted a disclaimer warning of the risks associated with such a procedure.
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