Against better judgement.............

[mountaineerndixie]

I'm gonna show my ignorance today. I could have kept quiet and read but I just need to understand this issue.

I just got an Eris 1 week ago and my head is spinning reading these forums on the OS, the possible updates and the roots. First, what is a root? I'm sure it's a part of the OS or something that would change the layout but can someone put it in layman's terms for me? What does this allow you to do if this is done to the phone? I'm assuming if the 2.1 update came through it would include or alter the OS to have this, correct?

Sorry if this is remedial to most of you but I just got here, so I have a lot to learn.

 

[cryptiq]

The Android OS is based off of Linux. "Root" means access to the root ID privileges. When you use your phone, you're basically interfacing with the OS using an ID that has limited/restricted access/privileges. The root ID has no access restrictions. The implications of this is that once "root" is obtained, custom ROMS or OS's can be loaded to the phone in place of the current OS. Also any unwanted programs that are built into the phone can be removed.

The 2.1 update is an upgrade from the phone's current Android version of 1.5 to 2.1. This does not provide root access, it's actually quite the opposite as it would probably patch any known exploits that allow anyone root access to the phone. Basically, getting root access, is "hacking" the phone.

I'm more of a Windows person myself, so please feel free to correct me if I've misstated anything.

 

[Phil Nickinson]

No shame in that question at all. Give this a read.

I'm gonna show my ignorance today. I could have kept quiet and read but I just need to understand this issue.

I just got an Eris 1 week ago and my head is spinning reading these forums on the OS, the possible updates and the roots. First, what is a root? I'm sure it's a part of the OS or something that would change the layout but can someone put it in layman's terms for me? What does this allow you to do if this is done to the phone? I'm assuming if the 2.1 update came through it would include or alter the OS to have this, correct?

Sorry if this is remedial to most of you but I just got here, so I have a lot to learn.

 

[IzelTokatl]

To Root means to break, hack, crack the Verizon(HTC, Sprint, phone) lock on the Operating System to do what you want with the phone. That is it. All carriers lock their phones so you don't go removing default programs that are already on the phone and make changes to things your totally not aware of. For most people rooting is out of the picture. But for people that love hacking/tweaking or playing more indepth with the fine details rooting is absolutely required.

In terms of the Eris, if you root, you can remove any program you want. Example: the Eris comes with a program called Peeps, its HTC's twitter app. I use the Twitter specific application from the market, so Peeps is just taking up space. I will remove it once its rooted. Also, root allows you the ability to modify stuff on the memory of the phone (like startup applications). there are millions more things you can do. Root = Access = Freedom of change (or messing up your phone to if you delete stuff you shouldn't be deleting)

Full details are in the hacking forum sticky:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/hacking/4654-what-does-rooting-your-phone-actually-mean.html

Eris currently has 1.6 Android (aka Donut) thats the operating system like Mac OS 9 or Windows XP. Eris will get 2.1 within 1-2 months, putting it on a completely new operations system. Just like Mac OS X or Windows 7.

 

[mountaineerndixie]

Thanks everyone...............

I really appreciate the info and putting up with a newbie.

Now, I'm going to go "root" my girlfriends online bank account to pay for my Eris.....LOL J/K.

Thanks again.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

mountianeerndixie - as in a couch burning Pitt hating mountianeer or or some other kind?

One thing that didn't get mentioned - The Eris isn't able to be rooted yet. It looks like some fellas are close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades right?

If/When the official Verizon 2.1 comes out for the Eris, and you're thinking of rooting, don't accept the update until someone somewhere can confirm that rooting it will be likely. When you grab an official update, you sometimes can't go back.

 

[mountaineerndixie]

mountaineerndixie - as in a couch burning Pitt hating mountianeer or or some other kind?

LOL....Exactly that kind of Mountaineer. Just lived in Atlanta for a while and had to make my username make sense (n=in, dixie=the south).

Thanks for the input. I've ruined enough pc's to now make a living as a tech support analyst but I think I'll just wait for the upgrade to 2.1 because I don't trust myself. Either that or I'd have to have a "rooter's manual" to follow in order to make changes that would be considered unique.

 

[patches152]

have a nice day

 

[mountaineerndixie]

have a nice day

Nice one, patches....

 

[patches152]

Sorry, gotta rep my kids. My bf from high school went to pitt and I got to go watch all kinds of sports stuff there. Even got to party with the football and basketball teams. That's just a great sports town.

BTW, VZW is testing 2.1 for the eris, so id say hold off on rooting until its released so you can compare pros and cons for each.