# JesusFreke ROM

> custom Android firmware ROM image distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q67573202](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q67573202)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jesusfreke-rom

## Summary
JesusFreke ROM (also known as JF ROM or JF) is a custom Android firmware ROM image distribution. It functions as a mobile operating system and Linux distribution, modifying the standard Android software for compatible devices. The project was active in the late 2000s and was eventually discontinued in August 2009.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Custom Android firmware ROM image distribution, mobile operating system, Linux distribution.
- **Aliases**: JF ROM, JF.
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0 (applies to the Linux kernel).
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted.
- **Final Version**: 1.51, released on May 24, 2009.
- **Replaced By**: Replaced by entity Q855981 (CyanogenMod) on August 20, 2009.
- **Other Versions**: 1.42 (February 10, 2009), 1.31 (December 31, 2008), 1.2 (November 9, 2008), 1.5 (May 1, 2009), and earlier versions 1.1 and 1.0.
- **Reference Sources**: Project updates and versions were documented on the blog.jesusfreke.com and forum.xda-developers.com.

## FAQs
### Q: What was JesusFreke ROM?
A: JesusFreke ROM was a custom Android firmware distribution. It allowed users to replace the stock operating system on their mobile devices with a modified version of Android.

### Q: When was the last version of JesusFreke ROM released?
A: The final version, 1.51, was released on May 24, 2009.

### Q: Why did JesusFreke ROM end?
A: According to a blog post dated August 20, 2009, the project was "calling it quits" and was replaced by another entity, identified in Wikidata as Q855981 (commonly known as CyanogenMod).

### Q: Under what license was JesusFreke ROM distributed?
A: The Linux kernel portion of JesusFreke ROM was distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.

## Why It Matters
JesusFreke ROM is a notable early example of the custom Android ROM community, representing the initial wave of third-party firmware development for mobile devices. It provided users with an alternative to manufacturer-provided software, often offering enhancements or features not available in the stock Android builds of that era. The project's timeline, spanning from 2008 to mid-2009, coincides with the early adoption period of the Android operating system.

The transition of JesusFreke ROM to its successor highlights the collaborative and evolutionary nature of the open-source Android development community. By establishing a framework for custom firmware distribution, it contributed to the broader ecosystem of Android customization. The explicit licensing under the GNU GPL for the Linux kernel also underscores the legal and open-source foundations upon which these community projects were built.

## Notable For
- **Early Android Customization**: An early entrant in the Android custom ROM scene during 2008-2009.
- **Community Driven**: Development and support were coordinated through community platforms like the XDA Developers forum.
- **Structured Versioning**: Released multiple distinct versions (1.0 through 1.51) over a short period, indicating rapid development cycles.
- **Defined Succession**: Officially handed over development to a successor project (Q855981/CyanogenMod), ensuring continuity for its user base.
- **Open Source Kernel**: Utilized the Linux kernel under the GNU General Public License v2.0.

## Body
### Nature and Classification
JesusFreke ROM is classified as a custom Android firmware ROM image distribution. It is an instance of both a mobile operating system and a Linux distribution. The software is copyrighted, and its Linux kernel component is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.

### Version History
The development of JesusFreke ROM produced several versions between 2008 and 2009:
- **Version 1.0 & 1.1**: Initial releases with specific release dates not provided in the source, but listed in the version chronology.
- **Version 1.2**: Released on November 9, 2008.
- **Version 1.31**: Released on December 31, 2008.
- **Version 1.42**: Released on February 10, 2009.
- **Version 1.5**: Released on May 1, 2009.
- **Version 1.51**: Released on May 24, 2009, this was the final update.

### Project Conclusion
On August 20, 2009, the developer announced the end of the JesusFreke ROM project via a blog post titled "calling it quits." The project was subsequently replaced by Q855981, which corresponds to the widely known CyanogenMod project. All versions and the project conclusion were referenced through blog posts on `blog.jesusfreke.com` and threads on `forum.xda-developers.com`.

## References

1. [Source](http://blog.jesusfreke.com/2009/05/jfv151-images-are-out.html)
2. [Source](http://blog.jesusfreke.com/2009/02/jfv142-is-out.html)
3. [Source](https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466174)
4. [Source](https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443713)
5. [Source](http://blog.jesusfreke.com/2009/05/when-is-your-15-coming-out.html)
6. [Source](http://blog.jesusfreke.com/2009/08/calling-it-quits.html)