[Verizon] Newbie Question(s)

Start with the sticky

http://androidforums.com/verizon-ga...ll-things-root-guide-updated-7-11-2012-a.html

it has links at the beginning that describe
root terminology and what it means to be rooted.

hey there nova,
i was part of the DX community a while back and i will be glad to help you

I know one of the admins posted a very simplified step by step guide... but it was not a sticky

FIRST OFF BACK UP ALL OF YOUR CONTENTS (IE: PICTURES AND VIDEOS) TO YOUR COMPUTER
now you need to unlock your bootloader (simple process)
first connect your phone to your PC, make sure you have downloaded the appropriate drivers and have the android sdk installed.
if you are on windows 7 it is quite possibly the easiest thing to install (android sdk)
as i need to include steps on how to do the SDK i have just been busy with school work, but i will have it taken care of soon!
first off go here:
Android SDK | Android Developers
download the sdk
point it to
C:\
not C:\programs or where it initially points to
you need to install it to C:\
once that is installed you will be prompted to download the packages, you dont need all of them!
just install the Android SDK Tools
and
Android SDK platform-tools
and the usb drivers

now with your phone plugged into your pc
you need to boot it to bootloader
2 ways to do it
open platform-tools in your Android folder in C:\ drive
shift+right click on an open area, and open command prompt here
from there type in
adb reboot bootloader
your phone will enter into the bootloader menu
if it does not, power off your phone, and hold volume up+down and power and it will enter bootloader mode

then in the adb menu(command prompt)
type in
fasboot oem unlock
using your volume rocker and power button to select you will unlock your bootloader
THIS WILL WIPE ALL DATA OFF THE DEVICE AND INTERNAL SD CARD!
now your phone will reboot
upon rebooting, you need to download the su.zip from here:
http://download.clockworkmod.com/test/su.zip
when your phone boots up, open the internal storage from your computer, and place the su.zip into the root of the storage(first window you see when opening internal storage)
get back to the bootloader menu
adb reboot bootloader
or the power off method
now you need to install your preferred method of recovery.
i personally use TWRP, and i enjoy scary aliens recovery as well, or you can use the clockwork touch
Clockwork Touch:
http://download.clockworkmod.com/recoveries/recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.0.2-toro.img
TWRP:
TWRP
to flash these simply type in this command in the adb(command prompt) menu
fastboot flash recovery nameoftherecoveryhere.img
for example:
fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-toro-2.1.2.img
or
fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.0.2-toro.img

if you get the commands wrong it will not flash.
once it has completed, scroll down with your volume keys and select with the power button reboot recovery
it will boot to which every recovery you flashed
scroll to install zip from sd card, and choose location and tap su.zip, and once its completed, reboot and you are now rooted.

once you are rooted, and unlocked bootloader, you can install the jellybean bootloader, but i havent really seen the need to do that, the others can attest to it