My opinions on this so far aka some constructive criticism.
Custom packages: I'm not sure about putting "Enable custom packages" under that name, is that actually "enabling HAN" or "enabling debug packages" or is this some new hack you have created? If this is an existing patch, Why change the name? I only see that leading to confusion really, as they are ALL custom packages. I see the info line is a copy of the title line but with the word "signed" added so i assume it is enabling HAN.
Enabling HAN actually does more than just allow custom packages to install, it also allows custom licences to be used, and custom act.dat. So labelling it with just "packages" is kind of misleading.
New HAN?: Its also slightly confusing that you say "
The new type of HAN!" in the release notes when really its the exact same type of HAN exploit as official HAN as far as i can see? An XMB mod can not really be a new type of HAN, it could be a new type of XMB maybe.
TV category: Each to their own, but I don't see the logic behind using TV category for enabling HAN etc, this option has nothing to do with the TV category and everything to do with the game category.
If you think there is too many items in the OFW game category already to add 1 more like HAN Toolbox, then another option would be to put this inside package manager as its mostly related to packages. Or convert package manager into the ONLY extra item, with all options under that. Maybe its just me, but i am not a fan of putting stuff into random categories.
Restart: I like the restart option in the user category, great spot for it, I have released a similar mod for HAN, also it removed the confirmation on the Turn off option.
The folder icon is out of place for something like that, you could use a restart/shutdown icon which could to be installed with your mod, you can extract the official one or call it directly.
Maybe you could make a pkg that installs resources like extra icons and xmls to dev_blind/vsh/resources/explore/xxx or even just a standard game data pkg could hold extra resources on in dev_hdd0/game/xxxx , just like HAN Toolbox or most other xmb mods.
Homebrew store slots in the PSN category: No homebrew works on HAN, so not sure what these stores will be populated with? Ok we will have your package and HAN Toolbox as "homebrew" but those already have built in updater icons so a store for those is not really required, but maybe there is enough to fill a section, not sure.
Removing existing custom queries: I would recommend trying to stay compatible with all existing mods as much as possible. If every time a new features comes out from other modders, IF it needs to be ported to your version of the XMB, this will lead you to lose lots of users who want the new features as soon as they come out. Whereas if you stay compatible with existing mods, then users can have your updates, and other new XMB mod updates all at once. Just something to consider.
Settings category mods: For me, the game category is better than adding stuff like enable HAN to the settings category. Its just got easier access for something that is used all the time. Also I don't think any settings category mods will be possible on HAN, as it is mostly handled by sprx/self files which can not be modified on OFW/HFW.
The feature list in v1.00: Really it has only added the options to update itself, and remove itself, along with some store slots that are not really especially useful (or being used) unless we can get homebrew working on OFW. Maybe add some more from the to do list as its just moving 2 things really.
- Install Custom Packages (already in HAN Toolbox)
- Restart PS3 (Already in HAN Toolbox)
- Update (R)Evolution
- Uninstall (R)Evolution
- Custom Store Slots under PlaystationNetwork Category (no homebrew available for HAN)
Version 2.00: What new stuff has 2.00 added? I could not see a changelog or any notes about what was added compared to v1.00
Few notes about the to do list:
- Mods / Stores Persistent between updates (not sure what this means? any content on HDD will persist between updates already, and nothing can stop a firmware update from wiping out XMB mods as all category xmls get wiped, there is no way to change that really unless you can pack custom PUPs with custom files aka custom firmware)
- Custom Tool Category with slots for HAN related tools( example HAN Toolbox) (If you mean adding new category that wont be possible on HAN as it requires sprx/self mods, you could modify the TV category to some extent alright, it can even be moved over to the other side of game on OFW with rco mods)
- Custom XMB Icons (Cool, more custom icons available that match the XMB the better)
- Download PKG from WebBrowser (We have already done a lot of work on this and almost have it cracked, if you want to join us, and have any suggestions please join us in THIS thread, we have already enabled all file types up to 2GB and can download any file type to dev_blind etc)
- Improve XMB speed (compared with OFW) (I have already released some stripped down xmls that do this, you could refer to those for ideas as they were heavily modified for users who were having issues on superslims with slow loading XMB, The main system xmls can be reduced from 250kb approx to approx 45kb in total)
- Custom Emoji (this is another area we have also done a lot of work on, see THIS thread, there might be a release of some tools to make this easier in the future, or if you want to create some tools yourself that is cool, still that thread will help you a lot, the imagefont.bin has been mostly reversed in that thread)
- New XMB Design (Cool)
- Modded Comments (Not sure what you mean here as they are already possible if you mean the comment under username in the Friends category)