[Galaxy S III General] themate1987:
I will post here some apps and facts for new users.

1. Flashing and rooting your device

ROOT=Administrator rights

Rooting is procedure that gives you full acces to your device. (similar to jailbreaking, gaining administrator rights on pc)

Root is not that much necessary as jailbreak because Android is more open platform than iOS.

You need root for some apps (file managers, unlocking programs, firewall...) and to fully backup your device.

Some guides for rooting:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1695238

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1671969 (quick root section)

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1728441

CUSTOM ROMS

Custom roms are created for all kind of users.

When you flash a custom rom all your data should be WIPED (depends about developer).

Some roms use Aroma Installer which lets you decide what goodies of rom you want and what not. (touchscreen control)

Nowdays probably all roms are based on 4.0.4 or 4.1.X firmwares.

There are: Samsung based ROMs (Samsung experience with some tweaks)

Aosp based ROMs (Android Open Source Project) Aosp feel and speed but you lose S Beam and motions

Aokp Based ROMs (Android Open Kang Project) Similar to Aosp but with different mods. You lose S Beam and motions as much as i know

Read the description of rom carefully.

Some Rom developers use word ''stable'' too loosely so be careful.

Every rom has a ''How to flash it'' section.

Install only roms created for your device.

DO NOT install roms for other Galaxy S3 devices like verizon, sprint, etc...

Links to all current ROMs: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1674286

KERNEL

Kernel is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level.

Kernel is also managing system resources.

Kernel is like the brain for your body. But its useless without the rest of the body.

Using different kernel could give you better battery life or more stability. But you must test them to know.

Links: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=27583423&postcount=3

THEMES

Setting theme via CWM

1. Download the zip file for the theme to your sdcard (make sure it's CWM-flashable).

2. Reboot into recovery mode by holding down vol up, home button and power button when the phone is starting up. This should bring you to a red/green/blue text menu with a list of options. This is Clockworkmod Recovery.

3. Scroll down using the volume buttons to the option "Install zip from sdcard" (usually option 4). Select it by pressing the power button.

4. Select "choose zip from sdcard" or ''choose zip from internal sd card'' (NOT "Install update zip") and browse to the theme zip you saved earlier. Press the power button to select it. Select YES to continue.

5. You should see a message that the file has been installed successfully.

6. Select the *back* option to go back to the previous page then choose "reboot".

Done.

If you want to make a backup, look for the backup submenu in Clockworkmod Recovery. Make sure you have enough free space on your sdcard first!

If the theme suggests wiping cache/dalvik cache these can also be found on the CWM menu. "Wipe cache partition" is on the main menu, and "Wipe Dalvik cache" is on the "Advanced CWM" submenu.

Some phrases:

Deodex = ensuring integrity of rom (packing APK files)

FC = Force Close (Crash of an App / Component)

CWM = ClockworkMod Recovery (mostly used to install new ROMs)

Cache = a component that transparently stores data so that future requests for that data can be served faster. Cache is most used of the market when you download a program. Its a small partition

Dalvik cache = a program cache area for the program dalvik that store program and store them for faster access etc..

Dalvik = java based virtual machine that is the bases for running your programs.

Brick = a dead phone or what piece you have. You can not save a bricked object. Many say they have bricked there phone, but they have not. they only crash the program on it so it dont boot up. So dont write you have bricked the phone. people just will have fun with you or be mad for you dont know what it means.

Please do not flame me if i have written something wrong. Just quote it in comments;). This is not complete yet. Also English is not my primary language.

Credits:

Jumba

TheBeano

shantzu

DamianGTO