Turns out what I was thinking right because the more I research the more I started to understand what was going on. Since the Motorola XOOM‘s bootloader’s unlockable is where I start learning more (I have a 3G XOOM, still waiting on the 4G upgrade to come out). And I recently upgraded my X to the HTC Thunderbolt and learned that there bootloader is also unlock (by unlocking it through HBOOT flash).

So here I’ll put down what I’ve learned so far.

What Exactly Is A Bootloader?

A bootloader is a piece of code that runs at the low level. You can think of it as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) of a computer. It’s purpose is to execute the kernel and OS for actual boot. The bootloader also checks the signature to make sure it’s an official ROM provided by the manufacture assuming that the bootloader is still locked. With an unlocked bootloader you can flash customized ROMs without having to worry about signature checks. This is why having an unlocked bootloader is important.

Because of the fact that Motorola started locking down there bootloader without the option of unlocking it is such a big deal to the modding community. But because of the modding community, they have found a way around it. Just because the bootloader’s locked doesn’t mean you can’t get root access.

What Exactly Is Root?

Root is a user account that has full access and permission to all files and folders of an OS. This means you can do pretty much whatever you want to the OS (in this case the Android OS). I’ve used root access to copy my notification tones and ring tones directly to the phone instead of on the memory card (for a good reason).

Usually to root an Android device you will need to find an exploit and once you exploit it you can then gain perm. root access. This is how it was done with the Droid X in Android 2.1 there was an exploit where if you toggle on/off either the WiFi or Bluetooth after running one command you’d be able to gain temp root access so you can copy all the files you need for perm root. Because of the fact that the Droid X’s bootloader isn’t unlockable we had to make due with that.

With the XOOM, since the bootloader’s unlockable, once you unlock the bootloader all you had to do was flash a new system image which already included root access.

For the HTC Thunderbolt, you had to gain temp root to downgrade, once downgraded you can then flash a new image that will turn S-ON to S-OFF (S meaning Secure, meaning the bootloader is either checking signatures or not) before upgrading back up with perm root.

So, has you can see, the ways of rooting an Android device varies. But as long as the bootloader’s unlocked, you can get root pretty easy and flash custom kernels and ROMs. Because the Droid X and all newer Motorola phone’s bootloader will never be unlockable, you won’t be able to load true custom ROMs but can make due because of the modding community.

What Exactly Is A ROM?

A ROM, in Android’s case, is the actual system. It’s pretty much the changes to the /system directory customized to either be less bloated or to be speed up the performance. This will sometimes includes changes to kernel itself but you won’t be able to change the kernel if the bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. Changes to the kernel sometimes makes improvements of the overall stability and/or performance as well.

Think of the ROM as a different flavor of an Linux OS (assuming you know something of the Linux OS, even if you’ve just heard of Red Hat and Mandrake) is the easiest way to explain I can think of.

And The Recovery?

The recovery (located on the recovery partition) is used for trying to recovery your phone. Basic recovery is usually a way for formatting the phone and allows for software updates. On a rooted/unlocked bootloader device, you can flash a custom recovery (or in terms of the Motorola Droid X, Droid X2, Droid 2, etc, using a bootstrap to hijack the recovery call) for more options such as backing up the whole phone (current ROM), flashing customized flashable zip files (such as adding themes or different ROM), etc.

Questions To You

Weren’t you using a Blackberry before?

Yes, I was, and loved it, but then after I gotten used to my Droid X and saw what I can do, I just tossed my Blackberry to my mom. My mom loves my old Blackberry so it worked out for her.

But You only had your X for less then a year? What gives?

Multiple co-workers and friends gotten it, the more I played with it, the more I wanted it, called Verizon, and they gave me a really good deal for it with the extended battery. Can turn down an awesome offer.

You said you have a XOOM? Why you didn’t say anything?

I was typing up a post about it on the XOOM itself but became too lazy. I will say this, though. Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) is fucken awesome!

How you liking the Thunderbolt?

The Thunderbolt is awesome, even more so now that I don’t have to experiences the random reboots (that started happening yesterday, June 12th) because of the new radio I’ve flashed and am using Flyweight ROM.

Anyways, can’t really think of much more to say but if you have any questions let me know in a comment or email.

Hell, I remember seeing one online dating site (forgot which one) where girls are allowed to register and message guys without having to pay a dime but all the guys had to pay to message a lady back so there’s nothing really fair there when it comes to online dating it seems.

It’s not just a subscription is a problem, there’s also the problem that since it’s all online, you can very easily message someone and not get a responds back at all and it could be one of two reasons (well… three reasons if you really want to think about it). 1) He or she does not have a subscription and thus unable to either view your message and/or responds to it (more common when someone registers just to check out to see if there’s anyone worth there wild to even get a subscription for or not); 2) He or she is not interested in you and so instead of responding back with “thanks but no thanks” they just ignore your message completely instead; and if you really want to push it, 3) they already gotten someone and don’t want to message you back about it and/or forgot to remove there profile but did or did not cancel there own subscription. The reason why I’m really doubting number 3 is because it just seems very unlikely that could be the reason. Most people who found themselves a date would either hide there profile or get it removed completely. I can believe number 1 and 2 more then number 3.

So what does this all mean? I means this. Girls has the most advantage with this site then guys do. Even more so if you’re between 18 and 30 (or so) since they’re still young that most girls will be looking for that bad boy style look who has a hot rod car, etc. Pretty much what I’m getting at is that most girls are going after those “hot” guys since that’s all they really care about is looks. They don’t care if the guy is a dead beat as long as he looks good and/or get money from there mommy and daddy. There are a few girls who might look at your profile but if there’s any hint of not being “hip” they’ll move on, assuming you’re either good looking or don’t have a profile picture up and the girl so happens to not really care too much about that.

A good example is if you write down you’re good with computers or your job involves being around computers a good majority of the time, you’d think a girl will come flying at you with open arms since, hey, they’ll have a boyfriend who can fix there computer when it crashes for free! Sadly it doesn’t work that way, you’d have a much better luck by lying through your teeth (or keys, rather) by saying you own an island with a nice house boat and private jet, and, I think you got my point already.

So is it worth going through the online dating scheme? If you’re a female, go for it, I’m sure you can find someone in a matter of minutes, I know my sister did. If you’re a guy, ehh…. maybe days or weeks before you get a responds unless you’re some sexy beast that girls can’t keep there hands off of ya.

In all honestly, though, it’s probably be better off just going to a bar or something, drink some liquid courage, and start asking random girls out at the bar then going through the online dating mess if you’re a guy because, like I said, it’s more geared girls then it is towards guys (even more so if you’re an average Joe like I am).

And I probably have more to say on this matter later but for now, I’m off to sleep, got work tonight.

Gez, only 22 years old and with today’s youth making me feel like I’m 40, that’s just great.  Using new made up Internet lingo by the second, having to look it up on Google to see what it means just makes me feel old.

But it’s just not the Internet lingo that’s making me feel old, it’s also the taste of music and movies that those youngins sees nowadays.  Sure, there’s quite a bit of good movies and music out there but what’s wrong with listening to a little bit of Bon Jovi or The Beetles?  Or watching E.T., or The Navigator?  A lot of today’s youth will just tilt there head and be like, "who are they" or "that movie is so old, it’s not even in high def."

What I don’t get, as well, is that they get a drivers license and a car and now they think they’re king (or queen) of the road.  I remember when I first got my license thinking that now I can drive to school and work without having to rely on anyone, which is all I really needed it for, unless I want to hang out with someone.  Now they get a license and first thing they do is drive all crazy trying to make themselves look "cool."

Another example of this fact is when I was trying to get out of a parking lot, there was a 4 way stop, I thought it was my turn to go so I started going tusk cutting off this one chick who was trying to turn (by mistake of course) and all she did the whole time she was behind me was honking her horn.  I would of gotten the point the first time if she just honk once but because she was honking the whole time I felt like getting out of the car, walk to her car, and yell at her for being an ignorant bitch.  How did I know it was a teenage girl?  I had a buddy in the car with me and when I was making a left turn onto the freeway they drove past us on the right (still honking her horn when pasting by).  Gez, whenever anyone cuts me off I just honk once to let them know to pay more attention.

Maybe one of these days I’ll take my laptop to a local hotspot by this one High School I live by and actually see what today’s youth are doing outside of the Internet and driving.  Maybe even just going to the mall’s food court and report back my findings (probably a lot of different fashion trends).  But for now, I’ll end it with that.