The ROMs trade and Christian ethics – an extensive account

Posted on by Kervin Mathumbu
I have for sometime now felt it my Christian duty to account explicitly my conviction touching the harmony between the ROMs  trade and Christian ethics as its nature is one that can be easily be misconceived and thereby stir prejudice over my Christian claims/profession. I often have to revise the same conviction each time it grows dull in mind (leaving the conscience somewhat stranded) and hence I felt an explicit account of the same may be needful to any soul I may ever be commended to, be it personally or through the cartoons outreach. Because at the time of this diary entry I offer only Android based ROMs/firmware links on the site www.saroms.co.za, I will lean entirely thereto though I believe the approach should/may apply to all known smartphone Operating Systems (OS) platforms. I shall endeavour to break the subject into sections and subsections to promote even more clarity.
Innocence of the service in light of Scriptures  
Smartphones usage and Christian ethics
Wikipedia defines a smartphone as mobile phone with an advanced mobile operating system that combines features of a personal computer operating system with other features useful for mobile or handheld use. Yes as with traditional computers that have become needful for both corporate and personal productivity, so are smartphones with the help of the enormous supply of productivity applications out their and their mobility. It is however in like manner true that just as computers provision a platform for programs and content geared toward personal amusement/refreshment, so are smartphones for which also exist a huge supply of amusement/refreshment applications and content (these includes amongst others, games, social applications and multimedia content). Now while I believe it is safe to presume that every reader that is sound in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures will have next to nothing against productive usage of either of the computing electronics in question, even the most pious saint will likely be interest on how exactly an amusement/refreshment-based smartphone usage is justified in details prior to commendation and this I purpose to to try and answer.
First of all, given the nature of a human body and mind, both of which are susceptible to fatigue, I assert that the need for sleep, rest and refreshment is indispensable even for a Saint. Now while there are Android-based games, social media applications and other multimedia content that are simply vile in nature (either in their purpose, makeup or both and should be shunned from by all means), I have found that there also exist those that are innocent to what I judge to be an acceptable degree. And the same can one often find useful to help easy a weary mind and keep in touch with family and friends. What I understand could be wrong and worthy of judgment would be to engage in these in excess (more than is needful given that the time is short), indulge in evil/canal media content or lewd socializing. It should also be added that even with the most innocent Android-based productivity application, if used toward an evil end, the whole aggregates to wickedness. With that said, which of these good and bad smartphone application/usage one chooses is to remain an individual’s affair like it is with traditional computers application – as both only provides a platform to work upon. What one does on the platform remains an independent personal decision. And every men shall bear their judgement.
Security credentials  reset and Christian Ethics
Like it is with the Windows computers, the firmware files for which links I offer can also be used to reset lost or forgotten security credentials. And I often find myself actively involved in deciphering the necessary manipulations toward the same end every now and then. I am ever aware that some of these security measures are implemented towards deterring theft (which I so loath as well for Christ’s sake) but have not yet find in me a valid reason to end this involvement. For this practice my justification may be understood with the help of the foregoing facts
  • I ever labour to confine my ROMs/firmware collection to low-end or entry level models/brands – which are generally consumed by customers with tight budgets and often have basic to no usage background. I believe most high-end device user are highly unlikely to be unaware of existing security measures and their reset options in cases where they forget them and get locked out.
  • I have for a season kept a semi-skilled mobile phone service shop and have often had customers who would set screen-lock patterns so complex only to forget them shortly after. I have also had a great many who needed me to create Google email address accounts just so they can activate the Google Play app to access basic applications like the Whatsapp messenger. With no intentions use the email address any further. The password for which would therefore often be neglected and soon lost/forgotten. I tried to use the customer’s cell number for the password where I could but some would be found to have forgotten the email address itself the next it would be needed – often to reset overly drawn incorrect pattern locks.
  • Also, until Android v5.0, a hard reset through the recovery mode (booted into through key combinations while the device is off) was normally all it took to clear a lost or forgotten screen locks. On later versions to that, a security feature tied to a Google account called Factory Reset Protection (FRP) was introduced. Making it impossible to simply reset a device via recovery and again set it up for reuse without logging in with the Google account that was associated with the device prior to the reset on devices where this was activated. While this has wisdom in it, it became a woe to those users who would ever have Google accounts created for them only to activate the Play Store. With my few years of web publishing background, I still do not find Google’s password reset system friendlier though that more than likely means stronger accounts security on the other hand.
  • Now with a triggered FRP and lost Gmail credentials, one will either need to take the device in for service either via the device’s retailer (the turnaround for which is normally a week or so – could be months) or take it to local independent service centers who may reset it within an hour to a day or two provided there is a ROM availability or certain special equipment.
  • My days of being actively involved at www.satechhelp.co.za introduced me to yet another lock type (called Privacy Protection Password) that would only be triggered on occasions that SIM cards would be changed. Now with users who almost never change SIM cards, on the day they are forced to and this PPP gets to be requested. They are often found to have long forgotten it or made to believe they just never set it up in the first place – alleging that it is a factory fault.
  • I mainly offer these reset services to independent phone technicians who normally are the ones presented with these security-locked devices with no practical way to find out if the device was stolen or lost or rightfully owned. Users do not often contact directly either because the use a computer (which they perhaps do not own) is necessary or that the ROM-based reset process is simply so far above their heads that they cannot even consider attempting a DIY. I believe blacklisting a device’s IMEI makes more sense and no I do not condone IMEI changing as you almost will never find one with a need to change the IMEI with a valid or ethical reason.
In short, my argument is that, unlike with high-end devices, locked-out cases for entry-level  devices (which are currently the site’s focus) proves to occur the most to lawful owners of devices. Rendering it an ethical field of service. As for those rare cases where we may assistance with resetting locks for the for devices fraudulently obtained, I believe robber alone shall bear his judgement 🙁 No I am not directly sympathizing with a man and his smartphone – that should be his own affair. The association is entirely business-driven. And the aim is to emphasize that I assert that it is not for a Christian to earn his bread through an abominable trade.

Legality or lawfulness of the trade

Unlike with Microsoft’s Windows OS that is proprietary (and sadly tailored in a hardware adaptive nature which ushered a platform to unlicensed/fraudulent usage) the Android OS is essentially free/open platform and highly model specific to begin with. Meaning that if there ever be at all a right ceasing at any stage, then it should exist between the device’s manufacturer and the end-user. Now as it is with virtually all other electronics that depends on firmware/ROMs, the Android smartphone OS code is prone to breaking and malware and virus attach – giving rise to the need for a firmware reload. At which stage one will either seek help at a service center (official or otherwise) or DIY (provided they have access to the particular model’s firmware/ROM).  My intervention in this web is that of a third party with no rights ceasing necessary at any stage of my involvement (directly or implied). My service’s role is to link the device owner with their device’s backup ROM or firmware for which they have any rights. The donation I receive is for the effort and labour employed to make available their backup ROM and not a price for the ROM itself.

An good example would be if notices should be put around a certain village stating that the government is issuing free chair printed in bold letters “Free use. Not for sale” about 3 miles (over 5km) from the village. Should I not be compensated if I for certain villagers with no means of transportation drive my own truck/bakkie to the location and transport their share of the chairs to their home? Am I charging for the chair – and not for my time, labour, fuel, and other vehicle consumables and mechanical wear and tear? I am not pioneer to this service type, publishers offering this service type often sell ads (which I personally have failed to keep up with) and hence they often have no need to ask for donations like I do. It is therefore on the above notes that I am convinced that I am not at all walking in violation or infringement of rights – neither that of the manufacturers nor of Google who develops Android. All that said, let any OEM who feels saroms is operating in infridgement issue a ‘cease & desist’ and I should consider.

The firmware packs for devices caters are either not made available to device owners or they are posted in a way that is not beginner friendly.

Dear God point out in his mercies if I am at any area deceived. In Christ Jesus’ name. Diary entry not fully edited or proof  read.