Might as well keep this all in one place…
Modding
Cell Phones
General Knowledge
Odin is the most low-level tool available to push firmware / radios (for Samsung). Team Win’s TWRP has surpassed Clockworkmod as the recommended tool for recovery. Google’s apps (GAPPS) are closely tied to the ROM you’re running, and are available in many different packages from TK GApps and BaNkS GApps. Phones with less internal memory have to opt for smaller packages, or use a larger one with an exclusion .txt file.
Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830D (Cooper)
Was able to root and unlock without much difficulty. CM11.0 is available but CM10.2 is said to run better, with a solid KitKat 4.4.4 release. Ended up bricking it by flashing the wrong firmware. An important lesson in patience.
XDA summary of procedures and files needed
CM11 by Mardon
Samsung Galaxy S2X T989D (Hercules)
Ran Paranoid Android 5.1.1 for a while and it seemed more stable than Cyanogenmod 11. Have heard good things about Tesla, but it’s dev was booted from XDA and no one will talk about why. Recently loaded CM13 after re-partioning and it seems to run fairly well. No longer my daily driver though…
XDA Parent Thread
XDA Paranoid Android 5.1.1
XDA CM13.0
Tesla ROM links
LG G3 (D852)
The Canadian model is unique–ensure whatever you’re doing lists D852 specifically before proceeding. Haven’t done anything yet–seems Canada might skip official Marshmallow?
XDA Parent Thread
How to Root
Flash TWRP W/ AutoRec
Fulmics ROM 4.2