Recently my old HTC Hero started to get notoriously slow and frequently report "low on space". Even after removing all apps memory was still almost exhausted.
The phone has been running on MoDoCo 2.1 since the last r5 release.
I could have just bought a new phone, which of course would be better by all means, but since the risk of bricking the phone was low (low probability and the impact of the risk was just to by a new one) I decided to find what the latest update around for an old phone like the Hero.
I found far more than I expected in Cyanogen Mod 7.1. Now I have a far newer OS than HTC has ever released for the phone, a lot of new functionality plus a much more stable and responsive phone. Extended standby time included.
In addition to saving (or at least postponing replacing the Hero) it was a satisfying feeling to successfully tinker with the device.
When the risk is low the threshold for hacking your phone should be low. Just as people should know how to switch light bulbs and connect the pieces of a surround system, they should also have some knowledge about their phones and how to repair them. It is not hard, it is fun and you'll learn a lot.
