Ouch. But I suppose it is entry level.
Android is a smartphone derivative of the Linux operating system, and
root is to Linux what
Administrator is to Windows. On most Windows machines, you use the administrator account, though Vista and 7 work a little differently. On Linux, you create a root password, and then you make at least one other account, during setup, and that's what you use. In Linux, you can "elevate" your privileges temporarily (become "root" for a while) to perform administrative tasks.
"Rooting" your phone is the process of becoming root. When you use an Android phone, you use it as a limited user. Linux is far more secure than Windows but must be used properly. Android is less secure, but it's locked down by protecting root.
The ROMs basically contain the operating system (Android/2.1/Eclair or Android/2.2/Froyo). Since Linux and Android are open source, anybody can go get the source for either version and modify it. If you can root your phone, you can load these custom modules.
I think the likelihood of the Acclaim being rooted isn't the capacity of the phone, it's the fact that it's exclusive to US Cellular, a regional carrier that hasn't got nearly as many subscribers as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile. And since such a low percentage are tinkerers, well, that's far fewer tinkerers with Acclaims. I'm sure it'll happen eventually. Just not as soon as a Verizon or AT&T phone.
But that's fine, there are many security issues associated with rooting your phone. Read up on them and then ask yourself if it's worth it. Read the posts by
rasmith3530 in
this topic for more information.