[Q] Android Noobs

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Hi.

I'm a bit of a noob to Android, and as such, I'm a bit lost with some of the terminology.

I know I can find most of the answers I'm looking for on the forum, but trawling posts can lead to confusion.

I thought it would be good to have a thread discussing the terminology for these devices for noobs such as myself to use as a quick reference guide.

I've been with HTC, and Winmob for a number of years, but I will soon be getting a Flyer, so time to learn.

Questions:

1 What is S-off/S-on, and what does it do?

2 What is Rooting/Perma-Rooting, the differences, and why are they needed?

3 What is Clockworkmod?

4 Any other terminology that needs an explanation for an Android noob.



If somebody would like to create a thread that can be stickied, and post a link here, I think that would be the best route to take.

Thanks.

Steve.

Originally Posted by stabloid

Questions:

1 What is S-off/S-on, and what does it do?

2 What is Rooting/Perma-Rooting, the differences, and why are they needed?

3 What is Clockworkmod?

4 Any other terminology that needs an explanation for an Android noob.

1. S-off/on are the terms used to tell if the security feature that prevents you from rooting is on or off. This is found under your bootloader, or hboot. To check and see if your device is s-off or s-on simply turn the device off, hold down the vol - button and turn the device back on while holding it. That will bring up your bootloader (hboot) and will show you what version it is as well as if your device has security on or off.

2. Rooting/Perma-Rooting are basically the same thing. Perma just stands for permanent. Rooting is gaining SuperUser (Admin) permissions for your device.

3. ClockWorkMod is a custom recovery tool that replaces the stock recovery tool in your bootloader. It allows you to flash(install) new roms.

4. A rom is basically your operating syatem. It is what you interact with when you power the device on.

If I missed anything or if I got something wrong someone feel free to add to it or correct me.

Sent from my HTC EVO View. 7" of s-off 4g Fury.

I think you covered most of the stuff that trips up people coming from WinMo to Android.

Two other little things I have come across:

GoldCard = Special SD card that lets you flash ROMs to locked phones (not rooted / S-ON)

De-odex = Apk files have respective odexes that devs use to supposedly save space. Deodexing means you convert it back to a .dex file and put it back inside the apk. This allows you to easily replace files (not having to worry about odexes), but the main point was to deodex services.jar so that you can change all text to different colors (such as the clock color to white) and to deodex services.jar, you need to deodex everything.

I was one step away from being a ROM cooker on WinMo and felt like a total idiot when I switched to Android. Had to learn everything all over again...but that's the fun, right?

Originally Posted by StormMcCloud

1. S-off/on are the terms used to tell if the security feature that prevents you from rooting is on or off. This is found under your bootloader, or hboot. To check and see if your device is s-off or s-on simply turn the device off, hold down the vol - button and turn the device back on while holding it. That will bring up your bootloader (hboot) and will show you what version it is as well as if your device has security on or off.

2. Rooting/Perma-Rooting are basically the same thing. Perma just stands for permanent. Rooting is gaining SuperUser (Admin) permissions for your device.

3. ClockWorkMod is a custom recovery tool that replaces the stock recovery tool in your bootloader. It allows you to flash(install) new roms.

Just expanding a bit, as I understand the terms:

1. With S-On, there is a security check on the signature of a ROM, before it is allowed to be flashed. It also protects the NAND flash memory, where the ROM is stored. Basically, with S-Off, you can flash just about any ROM meant for the device, including user-made "custom" ROMs. With S-Off, you can only flash "official" ROMs.

While related to root, they are not always co-dependent. On some devices, its possible to root, but still have S-On. You have SuperUser access (at least most things), but you can't flash custom ROMs. With root plus S-Off, you have access to just about everything.

HTC is constantly changing their security, so for the Flyer, it seems that S-Off was instrumental in achieving permanent root.

2) Rooting an Android device gives you "root" or "super user" access to system files, which are normally protected. There are a variety of things this allows you to do. You can change system fonts, and make other theme customizations. You may be able to overclock the CPU (depending on the device and kernal) or make other performance enhancements. You can remove system apps (like bloatware) that you don't need. Some apps require root to work, such as Titanium Backup and Clockworkmod for creating backups of app data or your entire ROM.

One thing to remember, is that the system files are normally protected for a reason. Don't modify or change anything, unless you have a good understanding what you are doing, otherwise you can really mess up your device.

The distinction between rooting (or perma-root) and temp rooting is made, due to the increased security HTC has applied to the NAND flash memory on their more recent devices. Basically the NAND protection means that a temp root will be wiped out when the device is rebooted. But some root functions can still be accessed during the temp root. But it also means you have to temp root every time you want super user access (if the phone was restarted since your last temp root).

Once the NAND protection on the Flyer was bypassed, it made a perm root possible. But on other devices, I know some users actually prefer temp root over perm root. You still have access to super user privileges while temp rooted. But if something goes wrong with your phone, its less risky, as a reboot will wipe any trace of the temp root (technically, rooting voids HTC's warranty . . . but its often possible to unroot for warranty purposes).

3. Clockworkmod will also make a full backup of your entire ROM (including user data) , so you can return to it any time. Handy if you have some catastrophic failure, or just want to switch back to the current ROM.

I really appreciate this thread. As a former webOS user, I was at a loss for all of the terminology when I got here. I've since figured it out, but hearing it in plain terms, as well as what they actually do for you, really is nice. Thanks for answering the questions rather than just saying search.

~Drew

Originally Posted by bdgdl08

I really appreciate this thread. As a former webOS user, I was at a loss for all of the terminology when I got here. I've since figured it out, but hearing it in plain terms, as well as what they actually do for you, really is nice. Thanks for answering the questions rather than just saying search.

~Drew

Flyer/View owners are nicer then most xda posters, lol. Especially when the person asking the question is smart enough to do it in the correct section.

Sent from my HTC EVO View. 7" of s-off 4g Fury.

Originally Posted by bdgdl08

I really appreciate this thread. As a former webOS user, I was at a loss for all of the terminology when I got here. I've since figured it out, but hearing it in plain terms, as well as what they actually do for you, really is nice. Thanks for answering the questions rather than just saying search.

~Drew

We all had to start somewhere, right? Be sure to click the "Thanks" button for the posts you found helpful!

Originally Posted by redpoint73

We all had to start somewhere, right? Be sure to click the "Thanks" button for the posts you found helpful!

Yeah you definitely went more in depth then I did. I just jotted down quick basics of each while I was getting ready for work. Yours are definitely more helpful.

Sent from my HTC EVO View. 7" of s-off 4g Fury.

There's a pretty expansive dictionary at Android Central: http://www.androidcentral.com/dictionary

Hope it helps, and welcome!

Thank You!

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HUGE thanks to all who posted.
I'm starting to understand a bit more now.

This area defo has more of the feel XDA Devs had when I first joined.
The HD2 section is just FLAME "SEARCH" FLAME "SEARCH" FLAME! lol.


I'll probably have loads more questions soon, as we're looking at getting Flyers for work, and I'm gonna need to customize them a fair bit.

At least now I know I can ask semi-stupid questions here, or not have to read every single post in the Flyer section, without getting flamed/shunned completely.

Keep up the good work guys.
It really is appreciated.