Why Root?

1. Full control over your system
2. Ability to alter system files. You can replace many parts of the "Android Core" with this including:
   • Themes
   • Core apps (maps, calendar, clock etc)
   • Recovery image
   • Bootloader
   • Toolbox (linux binary that lets you execute simple linux commands like "ls") can be replaced with Busybox (slightly better option)
   • Boot images
   • Add linux binaries
3. Run special apps that need more control over the system
   • SuperUser (lets you approve or deny the use of root access to any program)
   • Task Manager For Root (Lets you kill apps that you otherwise could not kill)
   • Tether apps (like the one found at [android-wifi-tether.googlecode.com])
4. Backup your system
   • You can make a folder on your sdcard and backup all of your .apk files to your sdcard (helps if an author decides to "upgrade" you to a version that requires you to pay to use the version you just had)
5. Relocate your (browser/maps/market) cache to your /sdcard
6. Relocate your installed applications to your /sdcard
7. Reboot your phone from the terminal app easily (su reboot )

So I had rooted my HTC Hero yesterday to VillainROM 10.1, due to fed up waiting for the HTC official 2.1 Android upgrade for Malaysia...

After rooted and flashed, I enjoy file transfer using Bluetooth, use Hero as WIFI tether, gain access to Android Market...and many more...