1
Ok this is going to be a glossary of words and phrases you'll hear a lot if but might not know what they mean!
Jailbreak
The process used to open the software of an iDevice to allow the user greater access to the device to install non-Apple-approved software.
Unlock
To allow an iPhone to be used on an unofficial carrier. It requires the device to be jailbroken first.
Tethered
This means the device is not permanently jailbroken, so when the device turns off, you will have to re-activate the jailbreak.
Hacktivate
To activate an iPhone using a jailbreaking tool without an official SIM. Without this you would be stuck at the emergency call screen.
Dev-team
A group of hackers & developers that make the jailbreaking and unlocking programs.
Geohot
Geohot was a member of the dev-team but now develops jailbreaks and other hacks alone. Geohot developed blackra1n, blacksn0w (unlock), and limera1n.
Firmware
The operating system that all iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads run. To download firmware click here.
Custom Firmware
A firmware file that is created with the jailbreak already installed, so when installed through iTunes, it will already be jailbroken.
Baseband
The baseband is what the phone modem/antennae runs off of. Baseband is critical for those who unlock as when there are new firmware updates, new basebands come with them and are not always as easily unlocked as jailbroken. Unlockers usually want to use tools like sn0wbreeze and PwnageTool as they preserve the baseband while updating the firmware, allowing an unlock. iPhone owners on official carriers don't care about baseband unless they are preserving it to make the phone worth more for sale later.
Cydia
The jailbreaker's app store. This is where you can download apps and tweaks that are not allowed in Apple's store. This is the main reason to jailbreak as it allows you access to all those cool modifications and apps that made you want to jailbreak in the first place.
Repos/Sources
You will hear people mention repos and sources a lot. What they are is websites designed to be used by Cydia to get apps from more places than the default few. To add a repo (example... apt.ihackmyi.com) open cydia, go to manage, click sources, now click edit and then add. You can now type in the new repo and get even more apps!
SHSH Blobs
SHSH blobs (short for Signature Hash) are are a code which apple gives out to validate a firmware, if iTunes doesn't get that verification code from Apple due to a newer firmware release, iTunes will not restore the firmware. Jailbreakers who have an iPhone 3GS/4, iPod Touch 3G/4G or iPad/iPad 2 will need to backup these SHSH Blobs in order to use them at a later date to spoof the verification so iTunes can restore your device the older firmware. The iPhone 3G and iPod 2G don't need this verification at all.
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol, which allows file transfer via SFTP between 2 things. For iDevice users, SSH is a method of file transfer between your iDevice and computer over a network which can be achieved with OpenSSH from Cydia and an SSH client like WinSCP or CyberDuck (Mac). Of course now there are easier ways of getting files to and from your iDevice, like iFunBox, which only requires a USB cable and is very easy to use.
Springboard
This is the desktop of your iDevice where your apps are accessible. It's your like your homepage.
Respring
This is a common term that refers to restarting your springboard. This is often necessary for tweaks or packages to take effect. It's also called a "soft reboot". This normally takes about 5 seconds.
Reboot
This is similar to turning your device off, then on again. This is useful because sometimes, your device will become unresponsive and the power button will not work. You can always reboot. To do so, press the home button and the power button simultaneously for 3 seconds.
Bootloop
This is every jailbreaker's worst nightmare. This occurs after you reboot. During a bootloop, you will see a spinning white loading circle appear over and over until it's completely white. Normally, the circle will only appear once, not again and again. Bootloops are normally caused by a faulty Cydia Package or by messing with the internal files of your iDevice.
Click here for frequently asked support questions.
Click here for the latest jailbreaks and unlocks.
Thanks to Madada7 for input.
