ChevyNo1

Attempting some of ChevyNo1's kernels, I'll try the upper middle (1.1 LV) and have the 1.0 LV waiting just in case I run into some issues.

[Update] Running the 1.1 KV kernel, seems pretty speedy! Also trying some suggestions I found from Dont Panic @ CyanogenMod's forums, with a slight tweak in so far as I hate home screen redraws so I did enable Lock home in memory.

Compcache - No
JIT - Yes
Surface dithering - No
Purging assets - Yes
Lock home - No
Lock messageing - No
VM heap size - 32m

Another idea I found from sharkerbaby @ androidforums.com is to use a script called V6 SuperCharger Memory System, made by zepplinrox @ xda-developers though I'm not sure how this will turn out when mixed with various other CM7 based tweaks and a custom kernel.

I can't stress how wonderfully useful NANDROID backups are, when I was modding my iPod Touch G1 and hit a boot loop I had to redo EVERYTHING in order to get back to where I was. Now I can just pop into ClockworkMod and undo anything I want! I may play with things as they are right now, then when I decide to push a little more power out of the little droid that could, I'll NANDROID backup and try out the V6 SuperCharger.

[Update 2] Tested out with SNES A.D. (which previously had stuttering in audio) and plays smooth as glass! Area towards camera on back seems warm, but no more than usual.

...Aaand CM7 Again.

I spent last night ROMing the bejesus out of my phone and finally ended up back at CyanogenMod 7. Project Elite was nice, but lacking many of the features I needed (LED notifications!); also I really don't like Launcher Pro, at least the free version of it. Then CyanogenMod 6 was nice, but I've been spoiled by gingerbread's oh so sexy layout and features; plus CM6 doesn't include customizable clock settings.

So I'm back to where I started (seriously though, NANDROID backups are not optional.), and considering maybe a faster kernel? CM7's 800 MHz roof leaves room for improvement, especially seeing Project Elite running very stable at 1.05 GHz. I've also saved 20 MB of memory by killing Lookout Security, whether or not this turns out to be a good decision or not I'll find out down the line.

Project Elite 6.5

Note: My issues moving to CM6 were because I didn't check Wipe Data and Cache on attempting install, I could have tried to reinstall CM6 with those settings and I'm certain it would work, but I wanted to try another gingerbread ROM.

Decided to try out Project Elite after hearing many recommendations from Android Central users. Steps below:

1. Installed Titanium Backup

2. Backed up some choice apps

3. Downloaded Project Elite 6.5 from their website: http://www.moddedlogic.com/pe/dl.php

4. Placed .zip in my SD card over USB

--------NANDROID BACKUP GOES HERE!-------- <-This is non-negotiable.

5. Used ROM Manager to install, wiping both the Dalvik cache AND Data + cache

5. (alt.) Boot into ClockworkMod recovery and install.

6. Open Market and click Agree (starts autodownloading all apps associated with your account, mine didn't start until I did this)

7. Open Titanium Backup and restore data to the apps you need.

Up and running and comes stock OC'd to 1.05 GHz! Seems smooth, though I think I like ADW more than Launcher.

Intermittantly I'm having Force Close errors with Android Market, maybe due to autodownloading while restoring backups? I'll keep an eye on this as it progresses.

CM7 -> CM6

Attempting to downgrade to Froyo from Gingerbread because of some speed issues. I've been told by scarryman04 on AndroidCentral.com's forums that my little Droid just doesn't have enough RAM to support all of that gingerbread-y goodness.

I've downloaded the newest build of CM 6 and installed it. I promptly found myself in a bootloop unable to get past the swirling CM icon. I pulled the battery, booted into recovery and reinstalled CM6 through ClockworkMod and ended up in the same situation again. Time to restore to my NANDROID backup (don't leave home[screen] without it!) and redownload it. Or maybe I'll try another ROM?

Swype

Get it. Seriously, now.

One Week

OK, update time!

1. Factory Reset (Done)

2. Root (Done)

3. ROM Manager/ClockworkMod Recovery (Done)

4. CyanogenMod 7 (Done)

And app progress:

1. Flashlight -> Torch (Preloaded in CM7)

2. ToDo -> DGT GTD w/ToodleDo Sync)

3. SBSettings -> toggles preloaded in notificaton area in CM7

4. FluxTunes (Still trying to figure out if I need this)

5. Reeder -> Google Reader (though it lacks the offline functionality that Reeder had)

6. Facebook -> Facebook (an app that sucks on multiple platforms at once!)

7. LogMeIn Ignition -> LogMeIn Ignition

8. Screenshots (iOS can do this, does Android support it by default? Does CM7 have it included?)

9. TWC Max -> The Weather Channel

10. LIVESTRONG Calorie Counter -> MyFitnessPal (haven't used this yet)

11. PlainText -> Epistle

Also looking for a good SNES emulator (Game Genie support would be fantastic!), and to figure out why SCUMMVM won't run on the newest Android OS?

Done!

Unbelievable! I'm done! Rooted, ROM'd, and booted into CyanogenMod 7.03. To all that have had a hand in the development of these methods, apps, and ROMs my sincere thanks go out to you for making this as painless as possible! I actually had a harder time jailbreaking my iPod Touch G1 on 3.1.3!

Of course this is only the first stop on the journey, I still have much experimenting to do with all aspects of the phone. I'm sure for those of you reading that have had an android phone for awhile this is all old hat, but maybe someone who hasn't started can learn a little from what I've done.

Root

Followed the fantastic steps posted by MotoCache1 (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-labs/74028-root-droid-1-regardless-os-version.html) and successfully (and without any headaches!) rooted my Droid! Everything is running great so far, and I've already installed ROM Manager and flashed ClockworkMod Recovery. Installing CM7.03 as we speak!

First Days

Just got my new(to me) OG Droid last night, already wiped it and started playing with applications. I figured I would do my major non-root app tinkering right now, then when I settle on a basic list of apps I will start the root and ROM process. I'll post some of my first app findings when I get a chance to really play around. Any thoughts about where to go from here? Sound off in the comments.

The Beginning

Go ahead and read the first post at AndroidCentral. Go on, I'll wait.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/motorola-droid-rooting-roms-hacks/101954-advice-first-time-root.html

OK, so I'm getting my first Android phone soon and I've decided on the original Motorola Droid, a decision motivated by it's legendary build quality (and my rather shallow pockets). However I love to tinker so I'm not willing to settle for the original software and wanted to explore the non-carrier/OEM restricted Android world. First priority will be to obtain root access, then I'll be installing ROM Manager and flashing ClockworkMod Recovery, then finally installing CyanogenMod 7 stable. The main reason for all of this is I've been following Android's development since 1.6 and am truly eager to leave behind my ancient iPod Touch G1 for an environment that allows for real tinkering and customization.

I've never blogged before, but the scope of exploring not only a new (to me) device but also all of the individual apps and tweaks is mind boggling. Therefore I'll be detailing my objectives below:

1. Factory Reset

2. Root

3. ROM Manager/ClockworkMod Recovery

4. CyanogenMod 7

From here I'll be tinkering and customizing until I get to where I want to be, then I need to find new apps to replace my old iOS apps:

1. Flashlight (taking advantage of the Droid's LED camera flash)

2. ToDo (replacement for the fantastic iOS app)

3. SBSettings (all of it's toggles that I'm using, plus a quick note taking widget? Dropbox sync needed)

4. FluxTunes (not too sure I need this, used it for driving before)

5. Reeder

6. Facebook

7. LogMeIn Ignition

8. Screenshots (iOS can do this, does Android support it by default? Does CM7 have it included?)

9. TWC Max (The Weather Channel app)

10. LIVESTRONG Calorie Counter (not thrilled with this one, I know it's crossplatform)

11. PlainText (editing text files in Dropbox)

Also looking into several possibilities such as profiles for automatic sound controls and whitelisted phone numbers, security software such as antivirus and device protection, ScummVM and other emulators, and many (many!) others.

So join in, and stop back to see my progress! Feel free to comment!