Somewhat nervous

[Guest Sillingw]

I came across this site whilst searching for software that will allow me to scan business cards and automatically update my people directory. I am fairly PC literate (By no means an expert) but know enough to build and customise my own PC's for home theatre applications.

I have been looking at the fuctions and features of the Modaco Rom and it looks pretty impressive and with the extras, will give me the application that I am looking for (Business Card Scanner). However, my phone is vital to my business and at the moment is working perfectly. I am very nervous about playing around with a new Rom that I don't even know will provide enough additional value over my factory installed Rom. I can't find any really detailed instructions for a novice, they appear to assume previous experience, which I do not have.

So for my questions:

1. Can I install just the business Card Scanner on my factory installed Rom?

Firmware Version 1.5

Baseband version 63.18.55.06EU_6.35.06.18

Kernel version 2.6.27-44690c1a

Build number: 2.73.707.9 146733

Software version: 1.0.0.A6288

2. If not - does anyone know of and Business Card Scanner that will work?

3. How reliable and Easy is a new Modaco Rom install (for a novice) and is it worth it?

many thanks in advance for help and advice

[Guest Higgsy]

If your happy with the phone the way it is, then see this thread:

http://android.modaco.com/content/htc-hero...ner-app/#entry0

download the enhanced add on pack:

http://content.modaco.net/hero/2.8-update-...nced-signed.zip

and extract BizCardReader.apk from system/app folder in the above zip file

Copy BizCardReader.apk to your sd card and install from there (just navigate to the sd card and select the file then open with package installer, you will need a file explorer such as astro or linda file manager which are free from the market)

You will probably need to check the box in settings/applications/unknown sources to allow to install.

Hopefully that will work for you.

[Guest milko9000]

3. How reliable and Easy is a new Modaco Rom install (for a novice) and is it worth it?

Hi,

It's pretty easy, you just need to have the patience to digest a bunch of guides and a few long forum threads to make sure you understand what you're going to do and in what order. It's very straightforward really and I'm sure some good step by step guides are around, just maybe not for the whole process. it'll be one to put a recovery image on that lets you do stuff, one root the phone, one to install the new ROM.

It's worth it in that it makes most operations with the phone much quicker, and for some also improves signal (data/voice/GPS), and battery life.

[Guest Higgsy]

Hi,

It's pretty easy, you just need to have the patience to digest a bunch of guides and a few long forum threads to make sure you understand what you're going to do and in what order. It's very straightforward really and I'm sure some good step by step guides are around, just maybe not for the whole process. it'll be one to put a recovery image on that lets you do stuff, one root the phone, one to install the new ROM.

It's worth it in that it makes most operations with the phone much quicker, and for some also improves signal (data/voice/GPS), and battery life.

Yeah I deffo agree need to read all the threads and tutorials, I knew nothing about android and all this business and found it all out from reading this forum and a few others. All the info is there I never needed to ask a question because it had already been answered somewhere. I would say however If you are not computer literate and not used to learning new processes/concepts in this vain, then this really may not be for you, it is however, well worth spending the time learning about it.

[Guest Sillingw]

Thankyou all for the kind help and advice, I will do the recommended reading and will come back to you on the decision and how it works out - I am tempted from Milko9000 reply to go for the Modaco Rom upgrade, that's also the kind of thing I was looking for (what's the advantage) but I will do some reading and get prepared first - Once again, thankyou for taking the time to reply.

I gather from Higgsv that I can install the Biz card scanner on my own OS - am I correct in this? - maybe I will try this first to give myself a confidence boost (or not!)

[Guest Higgsy]

Thankyou all for the kind help and advice, I will do the recommended reading and will come back to you on the decision and how it works out - I am tempted from Milko9000 reply to go for the Modaco Rom upgrade, that's also the kind of thing I was looking for (what's the advantage) but I will do some reading and get prepared first - Once again, thankyou for taking the time to reply.

I gather from Higgsv that I can install the Biz card scanner on my own OS - am I correct in this? - maybe I will try this first to give myself a confidence boost (or not!)

Yes follow my instructions earlier in the thread, at the end of the day if doesn't work on standard rom, it wont hurt your phone, the app just won't work - then you can just uninstall it

EDIT:

Just installed it myself and no mention of requiring root access so this should work fine.

Edited October 30, 2009 by Higgsy

[Guest dwattsy21]

I found the best way to help me understand stuff was youtube. I am a complete noob, i didnt even know what root means or anything like that. This is a good vid on how to root your phone (the first step you need to do really)

Then you'll want to install the latest modaco rom which you can download from the first thred in this forum. I was apprehensive about is it worth to install it, but it makes the phone so much faster and just those little tweaks that make all the difference. Also the wavesecure add on is really sweet, especially if you use your phone for work. Allows you to remotely lock you phone, wipe its data, and track it with the gps.

This is a good vid on how to install the latest rom...

http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-lo...-your-htc-hero/ (the image will be slightly different when you actually apply it, and you dont have to rename to "update", as there is an option to apply any zip from sd card)

then finally it is def worth buying a class 6 sd card

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SANDISK-MOBILE-MIC.../ref=pd_cp_ce_2

and following this video to partition it, and apply the apps2sd feature, that really speeds up the phone.

Hope this helps!

Dave

[Guest Sillingw]

a quick update:

I installed the barcode reader, which allowed me to install Astro file manager, which allowed me to install and manage everything I wanted. The Biz card reader works superbly - after I figured out I needed software from HTC to sync with Outlook - but I have exactly what I needed and do not see the need to upgrade my Android OS - but many thanks for the advice and the help.