root(what does it mean to root)- root access simply lets you access system files,and other things that you would not normally be able to. being rooted allows you to make backups,change the ROM,add or delete things from the ROM,and use apps that require root access to run.
superuser access according to wikipedia: "On many computer operating systems, the superuser, or root, is a special user account used for system administration." basically,this means it is what designates what things have special permissions or privileges,and what things do not.
superuser app is an app that simply lets you delegate permssions to various apps that need access to the root files of your phones operating system.
ROM the ROM is simply the operating system. like windows xp on a PC
kernel is the core of the operating system. it controls all the other parts of the OS and makes everything work together.
nandroid backup is simply a backup made with a custom recovery of the ROM and user data on the phone at the time the backup is made. it is like a snapshot. when restored,everything will be EXACTLY as it was at the time the backup was made,down to the call log,texts messages present,apps in the app drawer,system settings,etc.
custom recovery is simply a recovery that gives the user the ability to make chages to and/or replace the ROM,as well as make and restore backups. the stock recovery can perform many of the same functions,but does not give the user any control or ability to make changes.
bootloader the bootloader simply "boots" the rest of the operating system. it runs before any other piece of code. among other things,it can be used to flash different parts of the operating system,or even the whole operating system.
engineering S-OFF bootloader allows for the bootloader to flash things that were not HTC(in our case here in the TB forum) approved. it exists legitimately for development and gives testers the ability to make changes on prerelease phones. it is desireable because it will allow us to flash recoveries,splash images,other parts of the OS,and even whole OS's that were not approved by HTC,since it does not do any sort of security checks. it also allows for advanced flashing in "fastboot" mode-something a normal bootloader is not capable of
hboot
ADB web definition: "Short for Android Debug Bridge, adb is a command-line debugging application shipped with the Android SDK. Adb provides tools to browse the device, copy tools on the device, and forward ports for debugging." basically,this is the window that you open on your computer to comunicate with your phone.
android SDK web definition: "A software development kit that enables developers to create applications for the Android platform." it includes development tools,including a command window that lets us push/pull files and communicate with a plugged in phone.
launcher
FC(force close)
splash screen
boot animation
radio is the bit of software that controls the phones reciver/transmitters. like any part of the OS it can be changed for better performance. you can tell what radio your phone uses by looking in settings/about phone/baseband. as a 4g device,the TB has two radios.
RUU
gapps "google apps add-on". it is a small file containing some of googles proprietary apps,that is needed to complete a ROM based on AOSP code. there are legalities involved for largely distributed custom roms to have these apps built in,so seperate flash of these apps is used to make the rom complete.
AOSP Android Open Source Project. this is the code that google releases for various versions of android. phones that are marketed as a "google experience device",such as googles NEXUS line of phones,run this pure,unmolested code. other custom ROMs may use AOSP code as a base and add changes or tweeks. CyanogenMod is prolly the best example of a custom rom based on AOSP code. it is largely android as google intended with a few enhancements. most phone maufacturers will take AOSP code and modify it with their own User Interface and skin. examples are HTC Sense,motorola's motoblurr,and samsungs touchwiz.
