[gatordawgs]

Update:

I got the BB Curve, used it for 3 weeks and took it back to get the TP when I still could.

The Curve was okay, but it was boring after 2 weeks. I've had the TP for two days, and I'm digging it. The Alltel stock ROM seems to be performing fine (though at some point I can see myself figuring out how to bust into the ROM to eliminate all the stuff I don't need), battery performance is as expected, and POP email works (though I had to set up my existing accounts through a free Alltel email service in order to send).

Thanks again to all who offered advice, and thanks to everyone on the site. I've been trolling around looking at various posts in order to better serve my new obsession.