ROM Dev Spotlight: Leoisright of HTC Sensation port for HTC EVO 4G
Welcome to another edition of ROM Dev Spotlight, a Q&A series here on G&E that features developers who create fantastic custom ROMs for the HTC EVO 4G.
In this installment, we’ll get to know more about Leoisright, the man responsible for porting the HTC Sensation‘s ROM—complete with Sense 3.0 and Gingerbread 2.3.3—to the EVO. It’s still a work in progress so there are some things that aren’t completely functional yet, but there’s enough that is working for some guys and gals to be using this as their daily driver.
Leoisright works quickly and has often put out updates before I’ve even had a chance to flash his last version. Catch up with him below.
Which ROM are you using on your EVO right now?
Currently, I am using my HTC Sensation port with Sense 3.0.
If you weren’t using your own ROM, which/whose would you be using instead?
I am a huge fan of myn and Virus’s projects. Both are extremely talented developers. When I want something entirely different, I move on to MIUI.
It really depends on if I’m at work or home. At work I need more dependable communication and myn, Virus, MIUI, or my port does the trick, but at home is a whole different story. Usually my phone is testing ROMs for others during my down time.
What do you do for a living and when do you have time to make ROMs?
I am a General Manager for a restaurant and that takes up about 48-50 hours a week alone. I find time whenever I can to work on ROMs; it may be for an hour or two after work or 6-8 hours on my days off. I am very grateful that my family is supportive of my hobbies.
How long have you been making ROMs? What other devices do you develop for?
I am considered a newcomer to the arena of developing ROMs. The Sensation was my first actual port but I’ve been customizing my own ROMs for friends over the past 6 months or so.
Why did you decide to create an EVO ROM?
I just wanted to be different from those around me. I am a tech geek and have to have the newest and greatest electronics. I’ve been working on projects like this for the past 15 years so it was only natural that my phone had to be custom too.
What are your future plans for your current/upcoming ROMs?
3D! I can’t wait for the 3D devices to arrive. I am trying to convince my wife to dust off her graphic design degree and help create something great. Also, as the world turns more towards mobile computing, it’s important that these ROMs can satisfy all aspects of that.
How do you decide when a ROM is ready to be released? In other words, when is it “done”?
Well, that’s a tough question. People are always looking for the latest and greatest on anything. I feel it’s important to share what you have while making sure it’s usable too. My current port is still in the alpha stage only because a couple of hardware pieces are keeping it from the next stage.
As far as when it’s done? I don’t think anything is ever really done. People like change.
Do you have a general schedule for when you like to create and release updates?
What are the hardest and easiest parts about developing?
Great question! I would say “easy” isn’t in my vocabulary at the moment. Since things are still new to me, it’s a learning process. The hardest part right now is finding sleep!
Other than the community, what are the best and worst things about creating ROMs for the EVO?
It’s hard to say because things change so fast here. I have seen literally 5 ports come out in a month. It’s great for the community that so many different ROMs are coming out, but the worst part is how addictive it can be.
Losing countless hours of sleep is hard yet rewarding when you make advancements.
What do you want non-devs to know about creating ROMs that you think they don’t already know or understand?
It can take hundreds of hours to get a ROM going. It’s very easy to log in 30-50 hours a week working on a ROM with little advancements while still working another 50 hours at our “real” jobs. There are literally thousands of files to look over and make sure that it won’t brick the phone.
The biggest thing I wish non-devs would understand is that they have to be patient. Most of us have full-time jobs, families, social lives, and so on. So I say, relax, say thanks for all the developers out there, and try to lend a hand when you can.
What are the best and worst parts about the current EVO software?
Right now the worst part would have to be the kernel and m10 files. We have new HTC software but we can’t get the new kernels to help run these projects smoother. Then you get these new m10 files, which are a monster to deal with. We have spent countless hours on them.
Sense or AOSP? Have you always felt this way?
I like Sense much more. The only AOSP ROM I consider is MIUI.
Sense offers so many different ways to really enjoy your phone. I was leaning towards AOSP for awhile, but I always seem to find my way back to Sense.
Will you be making ROMs for the EVO 3D or EVO View?
Anything else you’d like to say?
Thanks for everyone helping in the xda-developers community. There are some great people in there. Also, a special thanks to Virus, TMartin, xHausx, myn, and Cappy for helping so much. Your time is greatly appreciated and thanks for helping as much as you do! Also thanks to GODZSON for designing the HTC Sensation port and Leoisright pics for me.
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Download/Discuss: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1035350
ROM Dev Spotlight is a new Q&A series that showcases developers of HTC EVO 4G custom ROMs.
