new droid, lots of questions!!!

[JMM]

first, i hope i am in the right area for this type of questions.
ok. Just got my first smartphone, a droid. I would like to hook it up to a laptop or a computer now and then (i have read they call it tethering), but i have read the phone needs to be 'rooted'. can someone tell me what 'rooting' the phone is? what does it allow the phone to do?

when tethering, will the droid display show on the desktop/laptop monitor?
:icon_eek::unsure:

 

[SinCitySRT4]

you can tether without rooting with pdanet. thats if u dont want to root

 

[SinCitySRT4]

First question "what is root?":
To have root access on a linux based system such as android means you have the equivalent access of Administrator on a Windows based computer. You will have unrestricted full access to nearly all aspects of the android system stack.

Second question "why would i want to obtain root access on my phone":
For those of us who would like an extreme level of control over our phone's files, root access is a necessity. Having a rooted phone gives the end user unprecedented control over the phone, enabling them to have limitless possibilities. Essentially unlocking your phone's full potential. With root/superuser access on your phone you would be able to flash modified roms (roms from other devices) , have access to certain functions on "root only" applications (example: wireless tether for root users - ability to tether your phone). The possibilities are endless.

Taken from another post

 

[JMM]

i thought i read here somewhere that rooting the phone makes it better?

that it give the phone a lot more capability? performance? i don't understand what rooting is

 

[JMM]

sorry sincity, i had not seen your post. thx

how about tethering? what can i do on a laptop while tethering?

 

[SinCitySRT4]

your phone will be your modem so u can surf the internet

 

[mwhartman]

Welcome! If you are interesting in rooting, I suggest that you read as many threads as you can and watch youtube videos on rooting. Then, I would read Matth3W's process (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/ha...-phone-2-1-rom-o-c-mm-boot-animation-etc.html). It is very comprehensive and take you through the entire process step by step.

Mike

 

[pc747]

pdanet on the market.
If you just want tethering go with that.

As far as rooting; unless you really feel you need to; I would advise waiting because if you root; then you will have to unroot to get any updates from verizon.

I have some videos and tips about pdanet and other tips. It says root with droidmod but there are other tips for everyday use. Check them out here:

http://www.droidforums.net/forum/hacking-faqs/25263-seen-some-questions-here-video-droidmod.html

 

[CTownDroid]

Check out the "hack" forums. All the info you could possibly want about "root" is there. Enjoy!

 

[tcrews]

Tethering is like being towed by another boat when your boat's engine falls off. You are still sitting in your boat but you are now moving through the ocean....because the other "towing" boat is providing the engine.

Tethering would be your laptop NOT having internet access (no wifi in the area) (your engine fell off) so you use the 3G phone service on your phone (the tug boat) to provide internet access to your laptop.

Your phone is just the gateway to the internet and you use your laptop like you normally would if it had an internet connection.

PDAnet for non-rooted phones, wireless tether for rooted phones.

 

[Slider46]

first, i hope i am in the right area for this type of questions.
ok. Just got my first smartphone, a droid. I would like to hook it up to a laptop or a computer now and then (i have read they call it tethering), but i have read the phone needs to be 'rooted'. can someone tell me what 'rooting' the phone is? what does it allow the phone to do?

when tethering, will the droid display show on the desktop/laptop monitor?
:icon_eek::unsure:

I don't think you're understanding what tethering does.

Wireless Tethering allows your phone to be used as a wireless access point for your laptop (or desktop with wifi adapter). You basically use your phone's data connection to connect your computer to the internet. Not very practical unless you are somewhere without a wifi connection and need one.

Check this thread about rooting. Read everything carefully.

Check here for more 'hacking' threads

 

[pc747]

[video=youtube;DVuV65E5YtQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVuV65E5YtQ&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - How-to: Setup and use tethering (through PDAnet) on the Motorola Droid[/video]

 

[SinCitySRT4]

oh yes and welcome....the thread mwhartman linked you to has everything you need if u decide to root. Matth3W did a great job with it

 

[SinCitySRT4]

oh yes cant forget pilotcharles747's thread. its also very helpful

 

[JMM]

ok. I think i understand wireless tethering a little.

it will allow me to gain access to the internet thru the droid. All I do is connect the usb cable from the droid to the laptop thru the usb cable and run pdanet? is there something i need to do on the laptop?