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Why root?

as UBRocked mentioned, there actually is no need at this moment in time unless you want to tinker, maybe install some non market apps that require root permission, tune the tablets processor up to a higher rating.
the only time I'd ever root is when,
1) the warranty expires, then I can tinker...
2) support runs out i.e. asus refuses to update the AEPT and it requires manual intervention to get our machines to a higher OS level, then I'd root and install the latest and greatest OS available.
so far im 8 out of 10 with the AEPT, will see when 3.2 and ICS comes out to see if all the niggles gets resolved.
 
I would like to add some special foreign language ttf fonts to the /system/fonts/ folder, but access is refused as read only. This would be a case for rooting
 
When I get my unit back and know it is stable, I'm considering root for Netflix and supercurio's Voodoo Sound. So far from what I've read, it is a night and day difference.
 
I'm pretty certain I do not have a need to know, but could somebody give me a definition of "root" (or even a link?) I'm just a little bit uneasy that I have absolutely no conception of what this word means in Android terms!
 
Relaxed said:
I'm pretty certain I do not have a need to know, but could somebody give me a definition of "root" (or even a link?) I'm just a little bit uneasy that I have absolutely no conception of what this word means in Android terms!
Click to expand...

Think administration access. Unfettered control of the file system.
 
Does rooting merely activate the su/sudo option, or does it make one permanently root? This could be dangerous.

Furthermore, 3 things worry me at present and stop me implementing this procedure - at least for the time being.

1. If something else goes seriously wrong, does this invalidate the warranty? It could certainly provide an excuse.

2. There is not much point in rooting unless one intends to make changes to protected files/folders in the OS. Will update/upgrades still work in this case?

3. Will the reset system still work in the case of a rogue app (or whatever) corrupting the OS? As I understand it, this merely removes user level changes. It does not do a full restore of the OS.

In Linux, one can do a full backup with utilities like fsarchiver. Is there any equivalent for Android?
 
Rooting is 'forever' but you could always take off the special bootfiles and reload the OS back to its original state. Which would fool Asus (unless they dug deep enough). There ARE ways to do FULL backups after rooting.

2- If there is an OS (not firmware) update you can do it but you'd likely lose your root and any customization. You'd be back to the "stock" configuration. Then you could root again
 
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