Hello from Durham, NC

Hello,
 
I have been a Droid Eris owner for the last year, overall not a bad phone, I am just having signal or reception issues.
I dont know what rooting is, or what it is for,or a lot of other cell terminology, I am just here to get some suggestions on how I can get my phone to get a better signal, and surf the internet faster.
I am 55 yo male, married , 2 children, 4 grandchildren.

Thanx for having me;
Michael

Wlcome to the forum, look around and enjoy. 

Welcome & Enjoy the site. Unfortunately unless you change the phone or your location there is nothing you can do for better signal and internet speed. Rooting is a process that gives you access to the parts of the phone makers dont want you to tinker with. It also gives you alot more freedom to make the phone the way you want and to increase memory.

Rooting a phone does increase internal speed if you overclock it or use a rom that has overclocking built in. This will only speed up internal things like apps opening faster & such. It doesnt affect what your looking for.

Also its a known fact that the signal bars on the phone do not accurately represent your signal stregnth. The phone has a very good signal overall and the bars dont represent it properly. When sending messages or making phone calls the phone goes to 1x data and the signal & bars should be strong, when using the 3g features, internet, app features and so fourth,  it uses the 3x speed and depending on location, that will determine how fast or well connected you are.

Hope this helps