Android After Market OS - CyanogenMod

Looking to root my phone but I don't understand what exactly I'm trying to do with my phone. So could someone dumb it down for me?

Am I technically updating my phone to a bastardized/improved version of Android OS?

>>6
Come on man, even the smallest corner shop can rig up a card machine. Why complicate matters? So you can appear LOLLEET at computers?

You're giving them the wrong advice.