The State of the 3DS CFW scene

As many people may know, I created a small guide to understanding CFWs and to explain the current CFWs. I did this because I love CFWs and I believe one glove does not fit all. I also did this to help the community by explaining the features of these CFWs and break them down into an easy to follow and understandable guide. But I also did this to bring attention to difference CFWs to help the community really figure out what CFW works best for them. I like I said, I love Luma3DS and I see how it got to the number one spot, but it's not the only CFW. Which brings to why I am making this blog/rant.

Luma3DS isn't the only CFW, it's great, but it's not the only CFW. I respect and adore Aurora Wright, her and I go way back. But the simple truth is, there's more than just Luma3DS and Luma3DS does not fit the needs for everyone. I say this because all of this Luma3DS spam has actually hurt the community. I've seen countless CFW threads get spammed with, "WHY WOULD MAKE ANOTHER CFW WHEN WE HAVE LUMA?!?!?" and devs are basically bullied off this site in the name of Luma3DS. Devs have to defend their project or announce that it's no threat to Luma3DS or community will attack them. This is not acceptable, we are a homebrew community. We used to never hinder projects, when Wood R4 came out it wasn't spammed with, "JUST BUY AN ACEKARD 2I AND USES AKAIO!" The community was just happy to see more projects coming from the community. Nowadays devs are actually wary of releasing their projects on the Temp, I know this because I have been talking with burned devs. Devs who released their work and were burned from the community for simply trying something different. Devs who do tough it out just end up ignored and their work gets forgotten about, then abandoned. There was even a few times when the Temp Wiki was vandalized changing the CFW page "There's only Luma3DS :P" Funny as it is, it still shows just how bad the community is becoming.

I am not blaming Luma3DS for this because it's neither Luma3DS nor Aurora Wright who created this problem. It's completely the community that is at fault. The community seems to have become this cult movement where they feel the need to spread the name of Luma3DS and defend it from any thing they see as a threat. The community has become stagnant and the idea of breaking the mold has become scary to the community. And this is not ok. This community is killing itself from within by not allowing projects to thrive, they are basically hurting the community. And this doesn't just hurt the CFW community, this has been hurting the Temp as a whole. Devs see how our community treats other devs and they just don't want to deal with the community if they think their project is only going to get attacked. This is not something a Homebrew community wants to have happen, we want devs to come to our site, and we want them to be welcome here.

This is something I've been watching for months and even experienced on my own thread and in other threads.This mindset has really tore the community apart and killed projects before they could even get off the ground. And it saddens me to talk/work with these devs who were burned by the community that should have welcomed them.

Just to make one thing clear, I don't say this because I am a Corbenik user. In fact I don't just use Corbenik, I also have Luma3DS on my CTRNAND. As well I have been using several privately developed CFWs. I say this because these private CFWs I use shouldn't be private and these devs should be allowed to share their work without fearing the community.
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The Catboy
I actually see the need for something like SaltFW. Sure it's a Luma3DS fork that only removed stuff, but I actually know two people who preferred that. My boyfriends both love SaltFW and prefer it over Luma3DS. They love the LTS update system, they love the simple install once and forget about approach, and the love that only has the patches they want and nothing else. So there's obviously a demand for something simple. So some people may not like what happened or how it happened, but there's still someone who loves the outcome. Thus is why I defend the need for SaltFW because I actually know people who personally prefer it. I know someone people disagree, but that's just how I see it.

The RXTools issues just aren't worth addressing anymore. Even I've beaten that dead horse. Though I've noticed RXTool users have really dropped since the community has gotten together to tackle that issue.
 
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Uwabami
Installing luma is dropping a file on your SD card and going into the config ONCE to set it up. You won't see the config again unless you press SELECT on boot. And as long as there are no issues (issues SaltFW would share, btw), you don't need to update. There are no forced updates or dependencies, so the "LTS" (taken from Linux distros) doesn't really apply. Luma also isn't bloatware, there's only one page of config - and it's covered by numerous guides, so the "simple" argument doesn't make sense. Especially if you need a setting SaltFW doesn't do - you'd need yet another fork to do it - great! For the sake of argument, let's assume it does have a use (I still doubt it, but OK) - he could've added his changes as a pullrequest and made it a Makefile option in Luma. No need to fork off.

And I still see rxTools users from time to time, just like people still keep asking which flashcard they should buy.
 
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The Catboy
This is actually kind of bumming out. I made that guide not only to show the community that there wasn't just one CFW, but several choices. I was also hoping to inspire more CFWs to be made from the projects, be them forks, inspired, or something new.
Instead I've narrowed the list to just 2 active projects, one stable, and one maybe dormant project. Which is extremely shy compared to what it used to look like months ago.
 
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NightScript
TBCH, I only say "Please stop using RXTools and use something else, like Luma3DS". But none-otherless, I agree with you.
 
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dotqurter_
I really enjoy this community, but trying to do really anything (for example, posting a new CFW) is like trying to drive through a feminist parade with a bus full of men without hurting anyone. I am a ducker for Luma3DS (main-boot, with Skeith as a side-launcher), but this WILL change because I plan on actually trying to learn C/C++/Lua and try my shot at homebrew. (Honestly, if you want to release a CFW, immediately use a tank to drive through the butt-hurt Luma3DS fangirls 'cause their all ******)
 
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Uwabami
No, as long as your new CFW is original and not a blatant copy of Luma/Rei/etc. with only the name and credits changed, that's a welcome addition. But most "new" CFWs are just that, copy-and-paste clones with very minor (if at all) changes with the sole purpose of enlarging the "dev"'s e-fame.
 
The Catboy
Uwabami
Actually in a lot of cases, these forks just started out as private builds really only made to fit the needs of that person. Then most of the time the work is released just to see if anyone else shares the same interest.
Currently I've been working working with several devs who's private work started as forks, but have really flourished. But ultimately will never see the public because of the public's initial reaction to their project.
 
The Catboy
@WiiUBricker
How does my stance on removing old entrypoints go against my current stance on CFWs? These entrypoints are no longer needed and realistically aren't as safe compared to A9LH. For example mset and Ninjhax both require you to boot into your unprotected sysNAND to enter your CFW. This leaves your system vulnerable for accidental updates. Menuhax is still unstable and unreliable and still relies on booting from an unprotected sysNAND. My suggestion is no different from an OS dropping older hardware support.
At this point, holding onto those entrypoints would be like Microsoft continuing to support XP because people are still using it.
 
gnmmarechal
@WiiUBricker Variety is good, but MenuHax, for example, is *objectively* inferior to A9LH as an entrypoint. Luma isn't superior to Corbenik, but Corbenik isn't superior to Luma either, for example. There is variety, doesn't mean worse entrypoints aren't worse.
 
Uwabami
It's not "variety" if it only serves your e-fame and is a blatant copy & paste of other people's work. If your "CFW" could've easily been a build or menu option you didn't make a new CFW, you're a credit thief.
 
gnmmarechal
Huh... No? First of all, I am allowed to, for example, take the code of Luma or Corbenik, change a few things to suit my needs and personally use it or share it if so I wish. Their licenses allow it.
 
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The Catboy
@gnmmarechal
Inferior isn't quite the word I would use, more like outdated. It's nice as a homebrew entrypoint, but the vulnerabilities leaves it as a risk for CFW users. Menuhax can be removed through a targeted update...although I am not sure why Nintendo hasn't done that...
Still, compared to A9LH, where Nintendo can't touch it. Removing Menuhax just results in removing CFWs, that's it. Removing A9LH, results in a brick and even bricks unhacked systems.
It's also really time people start upgrading. They are clinging to this stuff like XP users and it's not helping them. It's not helping to wait until something happens to fix the problem, when the solution is already available.


@Uwabami
I am not going to lie, but I am going to copy my own post to reply to this
"This is a CFW!" "This isn't a CFW!" "This is CFW!"
You know what really isn't a CFW? Petty bickering over what is or isn't a CFW. But you know the reality of the situation? None of these projects are actually a "CFW." All of them are just a patched version of the OFW, but that's not really a "CFW." Rockbox for example is actually a CFW. FreeMCBoot is technically a CFW. 3DS CFWs are technically not a CFW as they really doesn't replace the actual official firmware of the system, they simply patch it.
But know what else, no one should give a fuck what someone wants to use on their 3DS. If someone wants to use SaltFW and think it's good for them, then fucking let them. It doesn't effect you in a sort and quite honestly your petty comments accomplish nothing more than bringing more drama to the scene.
How about instead of bickering, we should be happy that people are making projects for free. People are making shit for us without pay, they gain nothing out of it. People who fork a project get nothing. They don't get pay, they don't get ad money, they just get to forked a project.
 
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Uwabami
Of course you can, I didn't say you can't legally. But that doesn't make you a "dev". Most of those "alternative CFWs" Crystal was talking about are single-change forks of Luma. So the "dev" changed one little thing, slapped their name on it and called it a day. Legal but shady.
 
The Catboy
@Uwabami
I am talking about CFWs as a whole. This including Luma3DS, ReiNAND, Corbenik, SaltFW, CakesFW, ect.
Still, the GPL does allow forks and removal/additions to projects and in fact looking at every single CFW on the scene, proper credit is given.
https://github.com/RShadowhand/SaltFW
https://github.com/Reisyukaku/ReiNand
https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/wiki/Credits
https://github.com/chaoskagami/corbenik
https://github.com/mid-kid/CakesForeveryWan

No one is claiming to have created anything single-handedly. All credited is properly given to everyone involved.
But honestly, this isn't an ethics blog and I really don't want to turn into another "SaltFW" blog. Personally the way I see it, SaltFW is up front about what it is and what it's intended for and honestly if you don't like it, you really don't have to use it. Seriously, if you don't like it, stop giving it attention. By giving it attention, good or bad, you are still contributing to the problem that you are complaining about.
 
StarTrekVoyager
I use Luma3DS because it fits the best my personal uses of the 3DS (playing games, update-proof, noob-proof). If I wanted some advanced features I would use Cobernik, etc. If anyone brings up a CFW that has some great features that go further than Luma, or even is a real CFW (poke @Crystal the Glaceon ), then I'll switch to it. But for now, in the case of noobs who just want to pirate games or run homebrew/ROM hacks, A9LH+Luma3DS is the best option. Same goes for A9LH if Sighax or whatever it's called releases. And about Luma3DS cult spamming, thing is that there are lots of users who wanna stick to their habits and keep something outdated (i.e. RXTools, or the Windows XP example Crystal pointed out), and its best to convince these users that there are better choices. But, if some want to keep EmuNAND or Gateway for a specific reason (I know @Hayleia keeps GW for the cheats & for exFAT for example), just let them do it.
 
gnmmarechal
@Crystal the Glaceon I'd say MenuHax IS inferior though, more than outdated. A9LH offers far more benefits, not to mention you can brick the SysNAND all you want as long as FIRM protection is there. On the other hand, if you brick SysNAND on a MenuHax CFW-based system, you'll be unable to boot far enough to unbrick. That's why I call it inferior rather than simply outdated.
 
The Catboy
StarTrekVoyager
Corbenik's latest nightly offers patches for Pokemon Sun/Moon that can't be removed by the Big N :ninja: Just saying~
Honestly I am not in the business of selling anyone on any CFW. I made a sticky that examples CFWs to the best of my ability and removing any form of bias. I then followed up with a blog explaining my personal choice of CFW. But it's really not intended to sell anyone into using it, but explain why I use it.
 
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