To root or not to root? That is the question.

[Fox McCloud]

As I read on and on it becomes less clear whether rooting my phone will be benificial.

--I want Homebrew apps, but I don't know if I should use the root procedure or just the QuickInstall. I've heard that the QI way requires apps need to be uninstall/removed if any updates need to be made to WebOS.
--And for the root only patches need to be uninstalled.

I want the virtual keyboard and the battery percentage adjustment, so rooting looks necessary, but can anyone tell me for at least the apps what to go with?

[VeeDubb65]

People seem to have this mythic fear of "rooting" their pre.

Let me explain what "rooting" means for people who have no past experience with linux/unix.

First, what "rooting" is not.

Rooting is NOT hacking, cracking, jailbreaking or anything remotely similar.

Rooting does not damage your phone (unless you do something stupid like enter "rm -rf /" in the console)

Rooting does not affect your warranty, TOS, or cause children in ethiopia to starve.



What rooting is: On pretty much all unix/linux operating systems, "root" is the default administrator user name. When you "root" your pre, you are entering commands as a system administrator. Nothing more, nothing less.

The other definition of "root" is the "root" of the file system, which is simply / in linux/unix. So, "rooting" often referes to playing around in the file system near the "root."

This is like logging into a Windows machine with an administrator account, and playing with system files. It's only dangerous if you are both ignorant, AND incapable of following the directions of people who know what they are doing.




All that being said, I'd still just use the WebOS Quickinstall. It's easier than rooting (unless you're familiar with the linux command line) and saves you the trouble of needing to follow directions. It's Windows style idiot-clicking.

The only thing that needs to be removed before an update would be patches, and they can be rpemoved through the quick-install with a couple of mouse clicks. Just plug in your pre, fire up the quick install, and uncheck the boxes that you checked to install them.

There's no reason to remove homebrew apps, although some of them may not work after a system update, until they are also updated.

[Shado.F]

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

People seem to have this mythic fear of "rooting" their pre.

Let me explain what "rooting" means for people who have no past experience with linux/unix.

First, what "rooting" is not.

Rooting is NOT hacking, cracking, jailbreaking or anything remotely similar.

Rooting does not damage your phone (unless you do something stupid like enter "rm -rf /" in the console)

Rooting does not affect your warranty, TOS, or cause children in ethiopia to starve.



What rooting is: On pretty much all unix/linux operating systems, "root" is the default administrator user name. When you "root" your pre, you are entering commands as a system administrator. Nothing more, nothing less.

The other definition of "root" is the "root" of the file system, which is simply / in linux/unix. So, "rooting" often referes to playing around in the file system near the "root."

This is like logging into a Windows machine with an administrator account, and playing with system files. It's only dangerous if you are both ignorant, AND incapable of following the directions of people who know what they are doing.




All that being said, I'd still just use the WebOS Quickinstall. It's easier than rooting (unless you're familiar with the linux command line) and saves you the trouble of needing to follow directions. It's Windows style idiot-clicking.

The only thing that needs to be removed before an update would be patches, and they can be rpemoved through the quick-install with a couple of mouse clicks. Just plug in your pre, fire up the quick install, and uncheck the boxes that you checked to install them.

There's no reason to remove homebrew apps, although some of them may not work after a system update, until they are also updated.

I like you. <3

[VeeDubb65]

Originally Posted by Shado.F

I like you. <3

I do my best.

[mplskhalil]

funny ... and informative

[horadin]

This makes me want to root my pre now

[Mpre]

well to me it depends on how much you want to customize your pre. If you want to only do a little change as in changing the phone dialer background, forwarding a text, or changing the boot theme etc then you don't really need to root the pre. Just use the webOS quick install program. Its just too easy.

if you want to go all out and conquer all the patches/tweaks available then yeah go ahead and root it....code by code.

[VeeDubb65]

Originally Posted by horadin

This makes me want to root my pre now

Nothing wrong with that at all. Really, it should.

The realy beauty of the Pre is that it's linux system allows us to do things as a root user.

I also agree with the other comment about it depending on how much you want to customize your pre. There certainly are things that the QuickInstall can't do. (yet)

However, I suspect that before too long, it will include all of the broadly useful patches.

If there are things you really want to do, that are not available through the quickinstall, AND you really don't want to wait, AND you either know your way around or are capable of following directions; then by all means, root your pre. In fact, install SSH on your pre to make root access easier.

If you can wait, or you can't follow directions, or if you need to make a post like the OP (no offense intended. There's lot's of things that I would have to ask about), or if you're just lazy like me, then just use the quick install.

[ekuns]

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Let me explain what "rooting" means for people who have no past experience with linux/unix..

Well said. This needs to reach a wider audience to help those with fear of "rooting."

[superduperpre]

I took the plunge last week and found it pretty fun and engaging. I am a dyed in the wool point n clicker, but this has been a good learning experience and I feel I am getting to know the technology that rides in my pocket all day much better.

It takes a fair amount of time and committment I found... even with all the Great help and tutorials out there. So, if you have a microwave mentality and want results yesterday... then WOSQI. otherwise dive deep into the scary black screen and try some tricks!

Rest assured that there WILL be folks to help you when you need a hand... do your background and then start with the easy stuff. Actually accessing the linux command line was stupidly easy imho, even without any experience. Whatever you choose to do next can be any level of difficulty. Generally I have found that patching is pretty easy as well. Just scrupulous typing and error checking. thats it.

Break free from the corporate tit and explore the malleable world of the Pre!!