Root What can a ROM do that I can't do now with my "stock" rooted 2.2 Inc?

[elwray]

Currently I am running the stock 2.2 w/ Sense (S-off) with LauncherPro and really, really like it. In particular the swipe actions with the dock icons.

I can't think of anything that I want to do with the phone, perhaps because I don't know what's out there.

I do have Wireless Tethering set up which is cool. But I was thinking more along the lines of, "what does a custom ROM and/or Kernel offer that I can't do right now?"

The only thing I was thinking about was throttling the CPU with SetCPU - leave it normal for use (perhaps underclock a little?) but downthrottle for sleep/idle to increase battery life. I see no reason to overclock since everything is extremely snappy as-is.

Can I use SetCPU on the stock, rooted 2.2 w/ Sense? Or do I need to install a custom kernel for that?

Speaking of kernels, is the stock kernel "part" of the ROM? Is it backed up automatically when doing a nandroid backup?

I have messed around with downloading/installing ROMs and kernels and extras with ROM Manager (tried Virtuous with INC-RED theme) and wasn't crazy about it (missed my LauncherPro). I had installed the custom kernel with that, but restored everything from my nandroid backup. Do I now have the stock kernel loaded?

 

[Jonamerica]

Lots of stuff. First of all, kernels and ROMs are separate, although some ROMs come with kernels.

ROMs often give the phone a different look (like a number indicator for battery charge, or removing icons from the notification), often they remove a huge amount of bloat. Or, if you don't like Sense you can get a "vanilla" ROM.

ROMs are also updated much more regularly than stock, and ROM makers will add leaked software and updates that are stable. For instance, if you stuck with stock in 2.1 you'd be stuck with the old facebook ap (unless you removed it yourself).

That some of the basics.

 

[Mahalo]

"what does a custom ROM and/or Kernel offer that I can't do right now?"

SNIP

Can I use SetCPU on the stock, rooted 2.2 w/ Sense? Or do I need to install a custom kernel for that?

Speaking of kernels, is the stock kernel "part" of the ROM? Is it backed up automatically when doing a nandroid backup?

Apart from usually removing most of the added software which sits there and takes up space/resources ROMs offer various things which may or may not appeal to you. Sense or non-sense is probably the biggest difference...some are more smooth feeling, some faster, etc...

As far as kernels go you will replace the kernel when you perform your nandroid restore and back it up when you perform your ROM backup. Some can overclock, some can not. Set CPU can be used by either and you can underclock to your hearts content!

I enjoy messing around with different roms... I'm all ADD that way... oh, look at that shiny thing --> wander away...> Oh, what about THAT one?! --> Wander away... So anyway.. .I have several ROMs that I really like and have them all backed up. I change them almost as often as I change my shoes. It is like having a new phone every day, almost!

 

[elwray]

Thanks to both for the info -

Those battery icons/notification bar tweaks -- can these things be applied to what I'm running now, or do they have to be installed via an entire ROM change?

I guess I'll probably just have to try out a whole bunch and play with them for a day to decide if I like it or not ...

My biggest concern was the kernel bit - now that I know it's all backed up via nandroid I will go flash stuff

To be honest, I'm finding this more complicated than tweaking and flashing the ECU on my car... soooo many more options!