Rooting...

[pierceNKC]

Should I do it, and if so...how easy is it?

I've read it voids your warranty, but you can revert back to "pre-root"?

I rooted my Palm Pre prior to this, it was pretty easy...I liked all of the patches available to me, as well as the additional apps regular users didn't have access to.

Is it essentially the same for the Hero?

 

[tatonka_Hero]

It's pretty easy.

It WILL void your warranty, but there's always the option to revert back to stock, which essentially erases all proof of rooting.

Words of advice:
Follow the guide in the "All things root" section to the letter.
Do NOT use anything from GSM Hero's, as they can brick your phone.
Make a backup before making any major changes.

 

[chfields]

Read the sticky up top about rooting, it has everything you need
to know. It is pretty easy.

 

[pierceNKC]

is it worth the risk? what advantages do you get from doing the root?

 

[tatonka_Hero]

What risk? Other than bricking your phone by using something for GSM (that'd be human error).

If you're experiencing/annoyed with any lag your phone has, then putting a custom ROM on it is well worth the "risk". If you aren't experiencing lag or poor battery life stock, then it probably won't help too much, unless you just like tinkering like the rest of us