Some more WM Newbie Questions

[rfox]

Please excuse my very newbie questions, but I don't have a WM device yet to test these functions out. Finding out as much about WM will help me when I do get one.

I've been seeing a lot of posts (here and elsewhere) about changing ROMs, flashing ROMs and being weary to not turn your device into a "brick".
If I'm understanding this, I don't think I would ever need to do anything to the ROM if I just want to add apps and files.
1) But would just doing, that is the applications themselves, alter the ROM to where it gets corrupted and need to be reset?
2) If the ROM does get corrupted (turned into a brick), can't you just do a hard reset to restore it to factory condition? Or would that be device specific?

Do you have to get applications that are built for your device resolution?
Obviously, a larger resolution app won't work on a smaller resolution display, but can you run smaller resolution apps on larger resolution screens? Does the apps just rescale to fill up the entire display or does it put the app in a window?

Is there any kind of command or terminal window function that you can enter commands directly?

I've tried to find info on setting up a VPN connection, and apparently ther's a built-in VPN client feature in windows mobile? How does it work, or is it better to get a 3rd party VPN client instead?

Thanks for all your input.

[breakmyfootoff]

You dont necessarily need to flash another ROM, but it's easy enough to do that you'll probably do it if you hang out here long enough lol. I dont remember any instances personally where installing an app has bricked a phone, not saying it's never happened, but I've never heard of it. Bricking phones is fairly uncommon, it seams like you'd almost have to be trying to do it for it to happen. Resolution does play a role in some apps, but not all. After the VGA screens came out for the Pro and the Diamond there were some compatability issues where apps from QVGA devices would not fill the screen on the VGA devices, they were still working, just harder to use since everything appeared so small on the VGA screen. Worst case scenario, if you install an app that wont work with your phone, you can just uninstall it via the remove programs option or do a hard reset. I wish I had more info for you as far as command prompts go, but I've never needed that to accomplish what I wanted so I havent put any effort into researching it. Hope this helped some.

[jazaddict]

I don't think I would ever need to do anything to the ROM if I just want to add apps and files.

Yes, thats correct.

If the ROM does get corrupted (turned into a brick)

Corrupted ROM is not the same as "bricking your phone".
Corrupted ROM (which is pretty rare) will allow you to either Hard Reset or flash another ROM.
Bricking your phone means won't turn on, won't reset, won't do anything more than an actual "brick" would do...hold down papers, break windows, etc...

The point is that if you get a WM phone,and you like the interface you'd never "need" a different ROM. You could install and uninstall apps to your heart's content.
If, at sometime in the future, you see a ROM "today screen" or some sequence of screens or buttons that you like, you could ALWAYS try that ROM. If its the Cat's Pajamas then you're set. If not, you can return to the "stock" ROM...or try a different one.
VEry flexible.

The only way I've heard of bricking your phone is to unplug it in the middle of a flash...so don't do that.

[k_semler]

The only way I've heard of bricking your phone is to unplug it in the middle of a flash...so don't do that.

Other ways brick may occur:

Drop it in the toilet when you are relieving yourself
Spill your tobacco water can on it
You run over it with your car
Flash a CDMA only ROM to a GSM device, or GSM ROM to CDMA device
Hook up your car battery to it and pump 12v @1500A through it, (stand by with fire extinguisher)
Detonate HE near it, (seek cover before detonation)

[jazaddict]