I admire the thoroughness of your post, I also look to this phone to replace my laptop, and tell people it can do every thing my computer can except print and burn cd/dvd, which both could/can be solved with BT/Wifi.
I'm not posting links now, but may edit later. (searching is a skill and MUST be practiced)
since it's so long, I just went thru quick, so you would know which trees to start barking up...
my shorthand;
"WIP" = work in progress (NOT BY ME),
"DHyB" = Don't hold your breath,
"(...)" = SUGGESTIONS,
"*" = FULLY CAPABLE(if/when exists),
"NA" = NO ANSWER,
"ME2" = GOOD IDEA and/or I WANT THAT TOO.
Hardware
--------
WIP, DHyB - Upgrade RAM from 64MB to 128MB or 256MB
DHyb (watch for bt/wifi dig cam's) - Add front-facing camera for videoconferencing & video chat in IM program
DHyB, (D-LINK POCKET AP/ROUTER) - Upgrade WiFi to to A/B/G/N support
DHyB, (BT HUB??) - Upgrade BlueTooth to 2.1+EDR w/ Class 1 (Long Range) Radio
* - Install 32GB microSDHC Card
ME2 - Replace Battery Cover w/ version that can store microSD Cards
Operating System
----------------
* - Update to latest version of WM 6.1 for speed & memory tweaks
*, (DHyB???) - Replace video drivers with good (hardware accelerated) ones
(BELIEVE IT'S A H/W ISSUE, GET BT KEYBOARD IF YOU TYPE THAT FAST)- Fix Keyboard "1 Key At A Time" Limitation
NA, WIP? - Update "Internet Sharing" app to fully support all methods & also let user choose between NATed or public IP
Software
--------
*,WIP- Install Opera Mobile or Firefox Mobile w/ Flash 7+ (v9?) & Java Support (Goal: Most 'PC Like" Web Experience)
ME2 - Install Download Manager (Resume Interrupted Downloads, Segmented D/Ls, D/L Flash Files, etc..)
(OFFICE LIVE, GOOGLE APPS)- Replace Office Mobile w/ More Capable Suite (More "Desktop Like" Word/Excel, etc..)
* - Replace Pre-Installed Acrobat Reader w/ Lighter Program, ala FoxIt PDF Reader
????- Find (free) method to print from PocketPC (Other than emailing documents or using IR)
*(QIPIT.COM, RCFAX.COM)- Find (free) method to send & receive faxes from PocketPC
NA - Install GMail client that can deal properly with tagged messages and multiple accounts
(HTC HOME)- Install Today Screen Weather Plugin (w/ Radar) (WeatherPanel?)
??? ME2 - Install Program to Manage & Record Calls
NA , ME2 - Install Program to Manage Voice Recordings
*? , ME2 - Install Better Music Player, ala WinAmp 2.9x (Can store/show lyrics & liner notes, and use 'bookmarks'?)
* - Replace stock CM with version that supports adding photos
*(S2U2 W/S2A)- Replace Caller ID w/ version that supports showing text info of calling party and custom picture
*(BBDIALER WORKS FOR ME)- Install "Big Button" Dialer w/ Working 'Contacts' & 'Call History' Buttons, Functional Data Arrows, & 911
*?, ME2 - Install Better Comm Manager (w/ Text Labels & Large Buttons)
* - Remove HTC X-Button & Install QuickMenu or Similar (More features, lower memory usage)
NA - Fix Extreme Alarm/Notification Sluggishness w/ QM Installed
NA - Install functional security app (Non-SIM dependant)
*?, ME2 - Install Better Notepad Program (Alternating Line Colors? Customizable to store docs in any subfolder?)
*?, ME2, (ShoZo, Socialight) - Install Better Camera Program (w/ working camera flash & GPS coding)
NA - Install Better/Faster JVM
* - Install FTP, VNC, SSH, Telnet, and RDC clients
*, WIP, ME2 - Install Multi-Protocol (Y!, AIM, ICQ, MSN, GTalk, Jabber(?), etc..) IM Client w/ Emoticons & Chat Logging
NA - Install IRC Program w/ Logging
*, ME2, (NAV4ALL) - Install GPS Program w/ Locally Stored Maps
* - Install GPS App that tracks distance & speed (For exploring city in power wheelchair)
*, ME2 - Install Program to Track Multiple Financial Accounts (CC, Savings, Cash, etc.. - Manually entered data is fine)
*(?) - Install TCPMP & all plugins (Can/should it fully replace WMP?)
NA - Install Music ID Program
NA - Install BitTorrent Client
*, (LOTS OF THEM, ShoZu) - Install RSS Reader
NA, ME2 - Install Newsgroup Reader/Binary Downloader
*, (LOTS OF THEM)- Install shopping list management program (Cost per ounce tracking?)
* - Install Workout Tracker
* - Install Skype
Other
-----
na - UPX all Suitable Executables in ROM & Storage Memory (Test In Emulator)
* - RAR or 7zip any backup files on Storage Card
*, (PIMBACKUP, DASHWIRE, OTHERS...)- Find way to backup all PIM data to Storage card and/or (free) website on schedule
*, (QUICK MENU)- Re-Organize Start Menu w/ Customizable Submenus
* - Update PRL to Latest Available
* - Set Up SLOT CYCLE & ACCOLC Tweaks
* - Remove Sprint Music & Software Stores & TeleNav
na - Research "Best Sounding/Looking" & "Most Space Efficient" Codecs for Video & Music Files
NueMMS , NO TV. PER/SPRINT - Get Sprint TV & Picture Mail Working
*- Change Bootscreen & "SprintSpeed" screens to custom screens
Final
-----
ME2, NOT SURE WHY NO KITCHEN FOR WM6, WM6.1=NO2CHEM/DCD - Set up each installed app, all battery life, registry, and settings tweaks, then freeze setup and roll into custom ROM