Root Layman's questions on Rooting

[Chaznsc]

I have a few questions to better understand the rooting process and what is is and is not doing:

1 - Is rooting the act of replacing the OS currently on the phone?
2 - Does rooting wipe out all my apps?
3 - Does rooting wipe out my SD card?
4 - How do I get my apps reinstalled (if #2 is Yes) (remembering the list
may prove difficult for me)
5 - Are ROMS versions of an OS?
6 - If Im changing ROMS, am I basically re-rooting the phone?
7 - Do ROMS get updates? Is that updating process simplistic (If #7 is
Yes)?
8 - Is Ice Cream Sandwich something superior to the Liberty 3 ROM? (sort
of ties into my question #1)

Thanks in advance, Happy Holidays.

chaz_

 

[UrsusVIIILXXXVII]

1. Rooting is only giving you more access to your device. Think of it as similar to administrative privilege on a pc.

2. Rooting does nothing to your data or apps on both the phone's storage and your SD card.

3. See answer 2.

4. If you simply root your phone, there is no need to reinstall your apps. However, if you flash a new ROM, then you will have to reinstall your apps. I personally use Titanium
Backup.

5. ROMs are customized versions of Android.

6. No. You only have to root once.

7. Yes, ROMs can and do get updates. It isn't very difficult to do

8. Right now, I'd say Liberty is the more stable choice. The EncounterICS ROM is still buggy but is coming along very, very well.

Hope that helps. Any more questions, feel free to ask. This is one of the most helpful forums you'll ever find.

 

[Bugly]

well done^^^ very clear, concise answers are always welcome here.