Roots, roms, nightlies, etc..

[UndeadCircus]

Hey everyone,

This post is going to be insanely noob-like, but I'm confused up to my face in the different lingo floating around here. I've tried to find a little "lingo" sheet, but to no avail. I still haven't gotten my new HTC Evo in the mail yet (hopefully Wednesday, woohoo!) but I'm reading as absolute much as possible to figure the phone out before I get it.

I see different talks about "rooting" and loading "roms" and some of these things being "nightly" etc... What's the difference in all of this? I understand rooting the phone gives you deeper access into it, but what exactly is a rom? What's the Cyanogen talk all about? What's a nightly?

So much stuff to learn with so little time!

Thanks guys!
Ricky

 

[sasha]

Hmm..let me try to explain in simple terms. The Rom is like the operating system you will be able to Flash (or load) different ones once you've rooted. Cyanogen is a type of Rom one of my favorites to! A nightly is a type of rom that Cyanogen builds it changes very often, and it may not be very stable it's sort of like a Rom still in beta mode. please feel free to correct anything I may have miss quoted.

 

[UndeadCircus]

Ahhh that gives a little more light on the whole scenario. So let's say I want to root my Evo when it gets here...Do I HAVE to install a new rom? Or is there the possibility of rooting the phone and just leaving everything else stock and installing/uninstalling apps as I please?

 

[lornaevo]

Ahhh that gives a little more light on the whole scenario. So let's say I want to root my Evo when it gets here...Do I HAVE to install a new rom? Or is there the possibility of rooting the phone and just leaving everything else stock and installing/uninstalling apps as I please?

You can do this. But most of the Roms out there are way better thank stock.

 

[Jerzyiroc]

You're right Sash...

Not many ROM developers do a nightly system. Now with Cyanogen they do offer a completely stable ROM, but they put out a "nightly" here and there which are like Sasha said basically a beta ROM. Sticking with the ROM stuff.. You're gonna see Sense, Nonsense and AOSP ROMs tossed around a LOT. A Sense and Nonsense ROM are both based off HTC Sense. The difference is with a Nonsense rom the Launcher is removed, and usually anything related to htc Sense. BUT, it's still based off Sense. So usually 4G still works as well as HDMI. In almost all of them you'll now have the choice to chose between the htc sense contacts, dialer, email client app etc, or the AOSP version. Which brings me to AOSP. AOSP is Android Open Source Project. Basically this is bare bones Android. Currently there is only one original AOSP ROM for the Evo which is Cyanogen with a few other AOSP ROMs that are based off Cyanogen. Though there is another AOSP ROM coming soon that is at least mostly all original and not based off Cyanogen. But I wont get into that... The big problem with Cyanogen is since it's not based off HTC, neither 4G or the HDMI work. So if either of those are important to you then it might not be for you.

You also have kernels. That's the link between the hardware and the software. Kernels can have a HUGE impact on performance and battery life. The big players with kernels are Netarchy (which is gaining a lot of love around here), Baked Snack, Ziggy, and Kings. My personal preference is netarchy at the moment.

You'll also here the work Nandroid tossed around. That's basically where you can do a complete system backup and restore it whenever you want. Think Windows System Restore. There's some other stuff but we got you covered whenever you have any issues... One HUGE piece of advice...

Use the sticky to root. It's not as hard as it seems, and any support you need when using it you can easily get here. There's always people here to help. Good luck and keep us posted! Also, any other words you're not clear about, just post here and we'll clear it up.


Edit: Yes you can just put a rooted stock rom, but there's SO many options when flashing a different rom. Most ROMs can have nice looking themes, and/or some extra stuff. Lots of options. Trust me, if you were to try out VaelPak, Myn's or MUI you'll know exactly what I mean.

 

[Phil Nickinson]

This could probably use a little updating, but here's a great place to start: http://www.androidcentral.com/dictionary

Hey everyone,

This post is going to be insanely noob-like, but I'm confused up to my face in the different lingo floating around here. I've tried to find a little "lingo" sheet, but to no avail. I still haven't gotten my new HTC Evo in the mail yet (hopefully Wednesday, woohoo!) but I'm reading as absolute much as possible to figure the phone out before I get it.

I see different talks about "rooting" and loading "roms" and some of these things being "nightly" etc... What's the difference in all of this? I understand rooting the phone gives you deeper access into it, but what exactly is a rom? What's the Cyanogen talk all about? What's a nightly?

So much stuff to learn with so little time!

Thanks guys!
Ricky

 

[d3xn2o]

This could probably use a little updating, but here's a great place to start: http://www.androidcentral.com/dictionary

U the Man Phil

 

[igotsanevo4g]

I was just going to link him to that.

Damn you phil!

 

[UndeadCircus]

You're right Sash...

Not many ROM developers do a nightly system. Now with Cyanogen they do offer a completely stable ROM, but they put out a "nightly" here and there which are like Sasha said basically a beta ROM. Sticking with the ROM stuff.. You're gonna see Sense, Nonsense and AOSP ROMs tossed around a LOT. A Sense and Nonsense ROM are both based off HTC Sense. The difference is with a Nonsense rom the Launcher is removed, and usually anything related to htc Sense. BUT, it's still based off Sense. So usually 4G still works as well as HDMI. In almost all of them you'll now have the choice to chose between the htc sense contacts, dialer, email client app etc, or the AOSP version. Which brings me to AOSP. AOSP is Android Open Source Project. Basically this is bare bones Android. Currently there is only one original AOSP ROM for the Evo which is Cyanogen with a few other AOSP ROMs that are based off Cyanogen. Though there is another AOSP ROM coming soon that is at least mostly all original and not based off Cyanogen. But I wont get into that... The big problem with Cyanogen is since it's not based off HTC, neither 4G or the HDMI work. So if either of those are important to you then it might not be for you.

You also have kernels. That's the link between the hardware and the software. Kernels can have a HUGE impact on performance and battery life. The big players with kernels are Netarchy (which is gaining a lot of love around here), Baked Snack, Ziggy, and Kings. My personal preference is netarchy at the moment.

You'll also here the work Nandroid tossed around. That's basically where you can do a complete system backup and restore it whenever you want. Think Windows System Restore. There's some other stuff but we got you covered whenever you have any issues... One HUGE piece of advice...

Use the sticky to root. It's not as hard as it seems, and any support you need when using it you can easily get here. There's always people here to help. Good luck and keep us posted! Also, any other words you're not clear about, just post here and we'll clear it up.


Edit: Yes you can just put a rooted stock rom, but there's SO many options when flashing a different rom. Most ROMs can have nice looking themes, and/or some extra stuff. Lots of options. Trust me, if you were to try out VaelPak, Myn's or MUI you'll know exactly what I mean.

Thanks a TON for typing all of that up. Definitely helpful to say the least!

Let's say I wanted to root the phone the first chance I get...Can I then just install something such as VaelPak without having to install something like Cyanogen? Is Cyanogen and VaelPak in the same category as something like say...oh...Windows Vista and Windows 7? Or is VaelPak something that runs WHILE using VaelPak, like a program?

Just trying to clear my head up around all of this stuff haha. Man.. There's way too much stuff to learn about here.

 

[d3xn2o]

Thanks a TON for typing all of that up. Definitely helpful to say the least!

Let's say I wanted to root the phone the first chance I get...Can I then just install something such as VaelPak without having to install something like Cyanogen? Is Cyanogen and VaelPak in the same category as something like say...oh...Windows Vista and Windows 7? Or is VaelPak something that runs WHILE using VaelPak, like a program?

Just trying to clear my head up around all of this stuff haha. Man.. There's way too much stuff to learn about here.

They are in separate but similar categories Asop Vs Non-Sense

either or is a good choice but Cyanogen has no 4G

I know Vael is working on a Asop Version but Technically *unless he uses the HTC Code* 4G will be no go

 

[UndeadCircus]

They are in separate but similar categories Asop Vs Non-Sense

either or is a good choice but Cyanogen has no 4G

I know Vael is working on a Asop Version but Technically *unless he uses the HTC Code* 4G will be no go

Ahhh okay.. Well I see a lot of people talking about the CM6 (which I'm going to assume is Cyanogen Mod 6.0) and seeing as how there is no 4G in my area and I don't use HDMI, that seems like the best way to go. The next question in line with CM6 is...

If I were to install CM6, what version of Android is it? I read the sticky on how to root the phone, however it states that it bumps you down to Android 2.1 and I'm pretty sure my Evo is going to come with Android 2.2. When do I get Android 2.2 back? I'd hate to be running an earlier OS (that's like going back to Windows XP after being on and loving Windows 7 for so long).

Holy crap you guys are helpful...I'm digging this community. PreCentral was definitely a great community and it helps the jump from a Pre to an Evo knowing that there's such a helpful community to back it up.

 

[igotsanevo4g]

Ahhh okay.. Well I see a lot of people talking about the CM6 (which I'm going to assume is Cyanogen Mod 6.0) and seeing as how there is no 4G in my area and I don't use HDMI, that seems like the best way to go. The next question in line with CM6 is...

If I were to install CM6, what version of Android is it? I read the sticky on how to root the phone, however it states that it bumps you down to Android 2.1 and I'm pretty sure my Evo is going to come with Android 2.2. When do I get Android 2.2 back? I'd hate to be running an earlier OS (that's like going back to Windows XP after being on and loving Windows 7 for so long).

Holy crap you guys are helpful...I'm digging this community. PreCentral was definitely a great community and it helps the jump from a Pre to an Evo knowing that there's such a helpful community to back it up.

The sticky bumps you down to 2.1, where you have a friendly, rootable version of android. Once your rooted, you flash (install) cm6.1 which is on 2.2.1. Yeah that's ahead of 2.2

Youre not losing a thing, in fact youre gaining.

Us android folks aren't into losing features

 

[UndeadCircus]

The sticky bumps you down to 2.1, where you have a friendly, rootable version of android. Once your rooted, you flash (install) cm6.1 which is on 2.2.1. Yeah that's ahead of 2.2

Youre not losing a thing, in fact youre gaining.

Us android folks aren't into losing features

Hahaha. That's awesome. That really takes the guesswork out of what's going on. Sorry for all of the questions, but I'm trying to follow all of this in my head so that when my phone is in my hands, I know exactly what to do, when to do it and what not to do.

Next question is.. I'm seeing a lot of talk about Clockwork...What does that have to do with anything?

 

[igotsanevo4g]

Hahaha. That's awesome. That really takes the guesswork out of what's going on. Sorry for all of the questions, but I'm trying to follow all of this in my head so that when my phone is in my hands, I know exactly what to do, when to do it and what not to do.

Next question is.. I'm seeing a lot of talk about Clockwork...What does that have to do with anything?

No problem.

A stock evo will have the stock recovery, a sort of behind the scenes menu with options. You cant install whatever you'd like. So, we install a custom recovery. enter clockworkmod recovery, or amon ra is another.

Once your rooted installing a custom recovery will allow you to flash roms, kernels, themes, and anything else you'd can think of to your phone.

 

[UndeadCircus]

No problem.

A stock evo will have the stock recovery, a sort of behind the scenes menu with options. You cant install whatever you'd like. So, we install a custom recovery. enter clockworkmod recovery, or amon ra is another.

Once your rooted installing a custom recovery will allow you to flash roms, kernels, themes, and anything else you'd can think of to your phone.

Sweeet. That gets to the point.

Last final question.. I was searching YouTube videos at home last night and found some of people explaining how to root and install CM6, etc, but their videos seemed a little out of date. Do you know of any that can walk through the videos step-by-step using the methods described that we've talked about?

We all know that tiny little mis-command can screw everything up.. So I'd rather follow a walkthrough that uses updated methods with everything that's needed. I don't think I'll need it knowing everything is outlined here...But it would definitely be nice having something in visual step-through form to follow if needed. Know what I mean? Haha

 

[igotsanevo4g]

Sure thing, jerzy did this sweeet video. It's the same idea, just different rom.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

 

[Jerzyiroc]

Well I believe in the sticky of How to Root with windows there's a video in there that goes step by step. Once you do that I have a video in my sig that I made that shows you how to flash a ROM. The only difference with flashing CM is you have to download and flash the Gapps file as well. But other than that it's all the same. Whenever you're actually gonna do all this, make a post up here and I'll do my best o stay on top of it just in case you have any question i can quickly answer (or anyone else that's around).

 

[UndeadCircus]

Woot woot! You guys are the best!

Thanks for all the information.

 

[igotsanevo4g]

Anytime welcome to the club