How do I root? NEW USER

[epidenimus]

I have a quick question as I am new to all this info, what is the point in all this stuff? What things are you able to do and put on your phone after this is done?
Thanks!

Everything shockdude said above.

If you find yourself asking any or all of the following, rooting may be for you:

• "What frigging app do I have to install to make the stupid white bar at the top black?"
• "What is the point of this SprintID crap and how do I get it rid of it?"
• "What is this Carrier IQ Agent?"
• "How can I back up all of my stuff?"
• "What intelligent human being likes NASCAR?"
• "Can I stop that annoying loud sound it makes when it starts up?"
• "How do I stop my e-mail client from making me enter a passcode every time I press a button?"
• "How can I take a screen shot of my homescreen or while in an app?"
• "Can I control what apps on my phone access the internet and when?"
• "Can I make it go faster?"
• "Can I put more apps on it?"
• "Can I uninstall any of these Google apps that I'm not using?"
• "I broke my home/menu/back button. Is there a way to make the Search button just do the same thing?"
• "Can I get it to work with a xxxxx VPN setup?"
• "I like the version of a certain app that I have installed; can I stop Market from nagging me about an update?"
• "The update Sprint pushed to my phone screwed it up. How can I fix it?"