@STEELSKY Thanks for that candid reply (even if it wasn't addressed to me, personally
). I have been looking into rooting my phone ever since I learned that it could be done, which was about 2 years ago. I have never so much as attempted this, however, due to the risk of doing irreversible damage to my expensive device(s). I currently own a tablet (HP Slate 8), which would be ideal to "practice" this on... yet, finding a workable method of rooting it has been challenging, and I've yet to try the complicated steps that I have found for that device.
I would like your opinion on whether or not I should even be pursuing root access for my devices. Naturally, I want to remove certain apps and bloatware from them (if not removed via rooting, what other methods would you recommend for just this purpose of removing bloatware?). I also want to have more options for modifying games/apps on my devices, as most people who root theirs do.
Your point is well made, and I don't challenge the fact that the library of available and up to date mods here is sufficient; and ever-expanding! Not only would I like the option to try modding other games not offered here (or elsewhere), but I cannot use any mod which requires the ability to remove license verification, or that requires signing into Google Play to save (rather than Facebook). I am not even in the same solar system as those who would call themselves modder, or hacker, or developer of software. My skills and knowledge would qualify me as nothing more than an everyday layman. But even for such few uses as I've laid out above, is it or is not wise for me to continue researching how to get root access for my device(s)?