Not sure if this is what you want but I have been using it for about 2 weeks now. Very fast and responsive. Adds quick contacts tab and program launch tab with plenty of slots. Some of the skins you can get for it (i use vista) add slots giving you up to 45 quick launch links for progs. IMO this is the most functional one I have found. Looks slick too. Only downside is the lack of a "Tasks" notification on the today screen. I am still waiting for that update.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=425851
Best way to speed things up is to ditch the unused bloatware from the provider and install a clean rom. You can do a soft reset befor the customization screen after a hard reset and prevent that extra bloatware install.