Getting Started: Preware

milominderbinder · 11:41 AM

The Preware article has now been published. Please see:

How to Use Preware for Homebrew Apps, Patches, and Themes

Please post requests for help or questions in the forums:

● Preware - for help using Preware.

● WebOS Quick Install - for help using WebOS Quick Install.

● Patches - There's a Patch for That (Part 1), Part 2, and Part 3

- Craig

milominderbinder · 08:58 AM

Placeholder for additional images.

milominderbinder · 04:53 PM

Placeholder for additional images.

rwhitby · 11/17/2009, 06:14 PM

Craig,

Excellent work. Thanks.

At the point where you first show the main screen of Preware, can you please show what it looks like with "Show Available Types" turned off, and give instructions on how to access the Preferences to customise the main screen layout?

The next addition would be to show people how to enable and disable feeds :-)

Thanks,

-- Rod

bpdamas · 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milominderbinder

At the top of the next screen click the drop down arrow and select WebOS-Internals, check Package Manager Service (highlighted below), click Download and then click Close.

In this section when installing the Package Manager Service I think it should say "select WebOS-Internals Feed (all) instead. I know it does not matter but I feel like it will put user's at ease that have never done this before. In my opinion, it feels way more comforting to have screenshots and instructions that exactly line up with what you are supposed to do. Makes a first time user have no fear and not be afraid they are going to screw up their phone if they select something incorrectly. First thing I noticed. I'll post if I find more.

EDIT: The same thing applies for when installing Preware. If it shows that the WebOS-Internals Feed (all) is selected, I don't see a problem saying that as well.

bpdamas · 11/17/2009, 07:08 PM

Also, if I remember correctly, webOSQuickInstall shows only two plus signs next to PMS or Preware if it is not installed or not up to date. Maybe get an updated image that only shows two plus signs next to Preware since it is supposed to be the step after installing the PMS.

Again, I only mention this because I am a stickler for details and it seems like since you put all this work into compiling this, it should be as perfect as possible.

bpdamas · 11/17/2009, 07:44 PM

Great job on the article. The last thing I would mention and maybe mention it immediately after Preware is installed, is how to disable certain feeds under preferences>feeds. Or how to change preferences in general. Just a thought and probably not necessary.

Colonel Angus · 11/17/2009, 10:37 PM

Wish I had this info on day one , great work. Very easy reading and very descriptive.

Great work !

rwhitby · 11/17/2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Angus

Wish I had this info on day one , great work. Very easy reading and very descriptive.

Great work !

This is why I always contend that experienced users should write the new-user documentation, not the developers of the thing being documented.

-- Rod

Colonel Angus · 11/17/2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwhitby

This is why I always contend that experienced users should write the new-user documentation, not the developers of the thing being documented.

-- Rod

Makes sense to me , developers develop for the users, users learn by doing and offer feedback that developers use to further developing.

Great work all

Thank you

rwhitby · 11/17/2009, 11:16 PM

Craig,

We loved this guide so much that we created a domain for it:

http://install.preware.org

-- Rod

pixielee · 11/18/2009, 12:24 AM

looks great to me! and makes it all "sound easy to do" Thanks for putting it together!!

milominderbinder · 11/18/2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwhitby

Craig,

Excellent work. Thanks.

At the point where you first show the main screen of Preware, can you please show what it looks like with "Show Available Types" turned off, and give instructions on how to access the Preferences to customise the main screen layout?

The next addition would be to show people how to enable and disable feeds :-)

Thanks,

-- Rod

How about if I will add a section at the end to show how to set up preferences and manage feeds? How about if I call it Preware Tips and Tricks. That will take a bit of work and I may need to put it in the second post in this thread. By turning off Themes when you are not using them, Preware also loads a lot faster as well. That will become more important as we have thousands of Themes and Apps instead of hundreds.

As I was working on the article, it took a long time to dig through the 700 themes so far. Any thought on putting themes in categories maybe similar to prethemer?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwhitby

This is why I always contend that experienced users should write the new-user documentation, not the developers of the thing being documented.

-- Rod

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwhitby

Craig,

We loved this guide so much that we created a domain for it:

http://install.preware.org

-- Rod

Wow.

Thank you.

I want it to be so easy to use Preware that anyone can do it. Products sell on buzz now more than advertising campaign. If users feel like they are in on a secret, they might put that out on their Facebook or as a Tweet. But there has to be a picture for every step and we have to disclose every step.

I did not want to step on toes, but I would like to see the Developer Mode Setup instructions and images from Getting Started: Homebrew Apps, Patches, and Themes be included in the WebOS-Insternals Developer Mode page.

A new user may get hung up on the fact that they are to type on a screen where there is no where to type. We also leave out about the Reset and which USB mode to use. Each step we leave out will eventually be 1,000 frustrated posts. Some new users honestly believe we leave out steps on purpose to keep them out. We don't do it but it has the same results. For every frustrated post we get, are there 20 who just gave up on without registering and posting?

- Craig

milominderbinder · 11/18/2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpdamas

In this section when installing the Package Manager Service I think it should say "select WebOS-Internals Feed (all) instead. I know it does not matter but I feel like it will put user's at ease that have never done this before. In my opinion, it feels way more comforting to have screenshots and instructions that exactly line up with what you are supposed to do. Makes a first time user have no fear and not be afraid they are going to screw up their phone if they select something incorrectly. First thing I noticed. I'll post if I find more.

EDIT: The same thing applies for when installing Preware. If it shows that the WebOS-Internals Feed (all) is selected, I don't see a problem saying that as well.

Great feedback. I got them both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpdamas

Also, if I remember correctly, webOSQuickInstall shows only two plus signs next to PMS or Preware if it is not installed or not up to date. Maybe get an updated image that only shows two plus signs next to Preware since it is supposed to be the step after installing the PMS.

Again, I only mention this because I am a stickler for details and it seems like since you put all this work into compiling this, it should be as perfect as possible.

This is great feedback. I redid the screenshots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpdamas

Great job on the article. The last thing I would mention and maybe mention it immediately after Preware is installed, is how to disable certain feeds under preferences>feeds. Or how to change preferences in general. Just a thought and probably not necessary.

I will do this as a new section at the end. Great idea. It took me two straight weeks to get the Preware isntructions to this point but I already have ideas started for the customizing section.

Again this is fantastic input! Anything else?

Thank you!

-Craig

milominderbinder · 11/18/2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Angus

Wish I had this info on day one , great work. Very easy reading and very descriptive.

Great work !

Thank you.

I have reread a gazillion support posts from you and so many others, trying to find the things that get users stuck. This is really just a compilation of all of those posts.

Milominderbinder was the guy in Catch-22 who brought stuff together from all over. He was also a war profiteer but I don't think about that part.

- Craig

bpdamas · 11/18/2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milominderbinder

Great feedback. I got them both.

This is great feedback. I redid the screenshots.

I will do this as a new section at the end. Great idea. It took me two straight weeks to get the Preware isntructions to this point but I already have ideas started for the customizing section.

Again this is fantastic input! Anything else?

Thank you!

-Craig

That is really all I saw. Great job and thanks for moving this forward.

rwhitby · 11/18/2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milominderbinder

How about if I will add a section at the end to show how to set up preferences and manage feeds? How about if I call it Preware Tips and Tricks. That will take a bit of work and I may need to put it in the second post in this thread. By turning off Themes when you are not using them, Preware also loads a lot faster as well. That will become more important as we have thousands of Themes and Apps instead of hundreds.

I think as long as you have both screenshots (with show available types on and off) right at the start, so people don't get scared when they see a different main screen, then that's a good solution. The default for a new user is actually the opposite of what you have in the first screenshot.

Quote:

As I was working on the article, it took a long time to dig through the 700 themes so far. Any thought on putting themes in categories maybe similar to prethemer?

Preware 0.9.10 (in alpha testing now) has categories for themes. PreThemer.com has them already implemented, and PreCentral is working on it.

Quote:

I did not want to step on toes, but I would like to see the Developer Mode Setup instructions and images from Getting Started: Homebrew Apps, Patches, and Themes be included in the WebOS-Insternals Developer Mode page.

Craig, please feel free to add to any page you see on the wiki - I have full trust in your judgement.

-- Rod

ductmate · 11/18/2009, 03:59 PM

thank you guys this fixed my pre im now a happy customer again

milominderbinder · 11/19/2009, 12:32 PM

Thank you all for so much feedback. Most have opted to reply by Private Message and all of those changes are completed now as well.

Again, the goal is to get a new user up and running with Preware as quickly as possible.

How can this be made easier or simpler?

Please post or PM any suggestions, corrections, or ideas.

Thanks,

- Craig

scott healey · 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milominderbinder

Again, the goal is to get a new user up and running with Preware as quickly as possible.

How can this be made easier or simpler?

Please post or PM any suggestions, corrections, or ideas.

Thanks,

- Craig

This is the simplest method that I know of that I tell new Palm Pre owners. No need to complicate it with 'WebOS Quick Install'.

1. Put your device in Developer Mode: (simply type in the phrase "upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart")
2. Run the now visible hidden app called "Developer Mode Enabler".
3. Enable 'Developer Mode'.
4. Reset/Restart Device.
5. Connect device to computer via USB cable and choose the 'charge battery option'
6. Run the Preware Java or MS self-installer (Download from here: http://get.preware.org)
7. Launch Preware.
8. Update Preware to latest version if needed.

11/17/2009, 06:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
rwhitby Developer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia - follow @webosinternals on Twitter visit www.webos-internals.org and www.facebook.com/webosinternals Posts: 10,220 Likes Received: 546 Thanks: 90 Thanked 8,534 Times in 2,806 Posts	Craig, Excellent work. Thanks. At the point where you first show the main screen of Preware, can you please show what it looks like with "Show Available Types" turned off, and give instructions on how to access the Preferences to customise the main screen layout? The next addition would be to show people how to enable and disable feeds :-) Thanks, -- Rod __________________ WebOS Internals and Preware Founder and Developer You may wish to donate by Paypal to donations @ webos-internals.org if you find our work useful. All donations go back into development. www.webos-internals.org twitter.com/webosinternals facebook.com/webosinternals
	Liked by Thanked By: claudiac1215

11/17/2009, 07:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
bpdamas Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,318 Likes Received: 4 Thanks: 142 Thanked 303 Times in 186 Posts	Also, if I remember correctly, webOSQuickInstall shows only two plus signs next to PMS or Preware if it is not installed or not up to date. Maybe get an updated image that only shows two plus signs next to Preware since it is supposed to be the step after installing the PMS. Again, I only mention this because I am a stickler for details and it seems like since you put all this work into compiling this, it should be as perfect as possible.
	Liked by Thanked by claudiac1215, pbecot01

11/17/2009, 07:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
bpdamas Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,318 Likes Received: 4 Thanks: 142 Thanked 303 Times in 186 Posts	Great job on the article. The last thing I would mention and maybe mention it immediately after Preware is installed, is how to disable certain feeds under preferences>feeds. Or how to change preferences in general. Just a thought and probably not necessary.
	Liked by Thanked By: claudiac1215

11/17/2009, 10:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
Colonel Angus Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: House Posts: 359 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 18 Thanked 56 Times in 49 Posts	Wish I had this info on day one , great work. Very easy reading and very descriptive. Great work ! __________________ OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO Getting Started: Homebrew Apps, Patches, and Themes Getting Started: Preware fileCoaster vs. Preload vs. PreUpdate vs. Preware vs. WebOS Quick Install: Inside the Pre Stole the phone gif from jdennisbaker.com
	Liked by Thanked By: claudiac1215

11/17/2009, 11:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
rwhitby Developer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia - follow @webosinternals on Twitter visit www.webos-internals.org and www.facebook.com/webosinternals Posts: 10,220 Likes Received: 546 Thanks: 90 Thanked 8,534 Times in 2,806 Posts	Craig, We loved this guide so much that we created a domain for it: http://install.preware.org -- Rod __________________ WebOS Internals and Preware Founder and Developer You may wish to donate by Paypal to donations @ webos-internals.org if you find our work useful. All donations go back into development. www.webos-internals.org twitter.com/webosinternals facebook.com/webosinternals
	Liked by Thanked by claudiac1215, nickthe, pfd

11/18/2009, 12:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
pixielee Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 296 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 77 Thanked 29 Times in 23 Posts	looks great to me! and makes it all "sound easy to do" Thanks for putting it together!! __________________ smiles for your day ~ pixielee In a love/hate relationship w/my PalmPre(s) 6/6/09 3/22/10 4/12/10 and 5/5/10 (ops yes I lost one!) Its Life - Live it, Love it, PLAY in it
	Liked by Thanked By: claudiac1215

11/18/2009, 03:59 PM	#18 (permalink)
ductmate Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 23 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	thank you guys this fixed my pre im now a happy customer again
	Liked by Thanked By: claudiac1215

11/19/2009, 12:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
milominderbinder Homebrew Developer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ↑ iPhone Black Launcher Theme Posts: 4,593 Likes Received: 117 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 3,156 Times in 908 Posts	Thank you all for so much feedback. Most have opted to reply by Private Message and all of those changes are completed now as well. Again, the goal is to get a new user up and running with Preware as quickly as possible. How can this be made easier or simpler? Please post or PM any suggestions, corrections, or ideas. Thanks, - Craig __________________ - Milo → Getting Started → Ringtones → Videos/Movies → Patches/Themes → Music Player(Remix) → Battery Life → Backup/Syncing → Great Signal-Airave → iPhone Theme → Forum Guidelines
	Liked by Thanked By: claudiac1215

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