How to root the Samsung Moment

Load into test mode with Call+Trackpad+Power

If you are having difficultly, I found the easiest way to get into test mode each time is remove usb cable and battery, then replace the battery. hold call+middle button, then just before plugging in the USB, press power. Plug in the usb within half a second of pressing power!

Now that you are in test mode...

Applying Sprint's HTC Hero OTA Update to your Modified Stock ROM (1.56.651.2)

So, you hacked your Hero, rooted it and customized your stock rom. You removed stuff you don't use, like Stocks, Peep, whatever your tastes are.. But now the update refuses to apply.

Well, hang tight because we can do this, but its a long road.

HTC Hero Semi-Bricked Recovery Method

So you were messing around, and now your HTC Hero won't boot. Well, it might not be a total loss. If you can still get into the Fastboot loader, you may be in luck.

To access fastboot, completely shut down the device by removing the battery, then, with the charge cable disconnected, reinsert the battery, and replace the battery cover. Now hold the Volume Up key while pressing power. Does it come to a plain white screen with alot of text and some android logos? Then you are in luck!

Next, find and download the RUU stock rom for your device. It is usually an exe that is about 100mb in size. Once you have that, run it. It will unpack the data, then warn you about losing your data. Click next. Then it will ask you to connect your phone. At this point, move the window to the side, out of your way.

Open Windows Explorer and navigate to "%TEMP%" (without the quotes), then search for "rom.zip". Copy this "rom.zip" to your memory card (you will need an external card reader/adapter) as "HERCIMG.zip" (this name may be different for non-CDMA Heroes). Once the memory card has HERCIMG.zip in the root, put it back in the phone and press the Volume Down key to activate HBoot.

The system will find the file and scan it. Once it asks if you would like to flash it, it will ask you to press the "ACTION" key, simply press the trackball.

You are now recovering your HTC Hero back to factory status!

Congrats!

End of the World in 2012

I think all of this end of the world stuff is crazy. However, it may not be too far off. But, only with media and the internet (and its idiots) to blame.

Why? Because I believe that there will not be any scientific means to cause the end of the world, but the sheer panic will be the cause of the end of the world. Well, not the "end", but global chaos will probably ensue.

After all, we had a minor panic with Y2k, but the media didn't hype Y2k nearly this bad. There will be riots, panic, and sheer chaos for a while as the panic from the "believers" spreads, and people do crazy shit they would never do, since they are planning to die.

We've all seen the riot scenes in movies. Take "The Simpsons Movie" for instance, how Springfield went insane with vandalism and riots when they were trapped on the dome, thinking it was the end. I expect to see a widespread version of that, but nothing "earth ending".

Or maybe it will? Maybe we will be the cause of our own end. What do you think?

Personally, I think there will be riots as I said, the day will come, nothing will happen (except overtime for law enforcers), and after a few days (or maybe a week), the mess from the whole ordeal will be cleaned up, the rioters locked up, and the world will go on as if it never happened (except for another lame movie or 2, perhaps).

Google Checkout: Followup

Okay, so I trashed the new account after not getting any response from Google. So I logged my old account back into my phone, and go to redownload my apps. No-go, apparently I need to buy them again, despite buying them just 4 days prior. See, it seems not only are downloads locked to your account, but to your device, because I had to swap out my HTC Hero for a new one (dead pixel), it seems that I'm not allowed to download what I paid for.

Good going Google. And there are no options to explain this to Google, because replying to the email gets you nowhere, and there is no comment forms or anything on Google's Support Site. It is as if they know every little problem that will happen, and you can only report those, or they just don't give a crap about screwing people out of money.

Either way I'm still pissed at Google, and I am considering switching to a BlackBerry because of this. Why bother with an OS and Market by a company who wants to lose a customer over $15.

Google Checkout

Never switch your Google account after buying something on the Android market. I've tried contacting Google and even the makers of the apps I purchased but no one is responding.

See, I ordered some apps while using my rkuchiki account, but I made a new account for my phone. I need the purchases authorized on my new account, since the Android OS makes it nearly impossible to use multiple accounts. Now, until someone responds, I can't even use the $15 worth of apps I bought. It is extremely irritating.

HTC Hero Camera Test

Just testing the camera. Pretty nice! This was taken in motion, I think I was doing like 25-30mph. Picture is of traffic backed up on I-30.