[00gt1]

a.) Read the how to's

b.) learn the Common Terms:

Kitchen: A complilation of programs that deconstruct, allow customization, and reconstruct a ROM.
ROM: Technically Read Only Memory, this is essentially the software on your phone that can be customized through a Kitchen and then Flashed onto your phone.
Cooking: The process of using a Kitchen to customize a ROM.
Flashing: The process of loading a ROM onto your phone via the RUU.
RUU: ROM Upgrade Utility, used to Flash a ROM onto your phone.
NBH: A file type (.nbh). This is a ROM.
Unlocking: The process of making your phone Flashable by custom ROMs.
Relocking: The process of going from an Unlocked state a Locked state.
OS: Operating System, this is the main part of your phone, Windows Mobile, including the kernel, drivers, programs and interface.
SPL: The bootloader of your phone. This loads the OS.
SSPL: Soft-SPL, a modified SPL that is loaded for a short time in order to write an HSPL.
HSPL: Hard-SPL, a modified SPL that is written over the original SPL in order to Unlock your phone.
Security Unlocked: THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO UNLOCKING YOUR PHONE. This has to do with the radio of your phone, and will always be there (refer to pictures in tutorial).
Radio: This is usually refered to as the software on your phone, (that is not normally touched when flashing a custom ROM unless specifically stated, but is included in shipped ROMs) that controls the communication between your phone and the cell phone towers. Different Radios will usually provide different levels of signal, battery life, and, due to a combination of both, overheating of your phone.

(thanks tobeychris)

c.) Ask around everyone here is willing to help

you'll be up and running in no time. Customizing a phone is just that... customizing it.. making it your own. read around find what you like and do it. Just be smart about it and back up everything first

Bottom Line... READ EVERYTHING in your particular forum... if you have questions PM the author