question for new 2.1 rom

[jdizzle]

first off, i wanna apologize, but i did search the forums and did not find the answer....actually i saw some guy that had lost all his paid apps when he did the new rom.

coming from windows mobile, i always used spb backup to backup my numbers and programs. What do i use to backup my numbers on the phone and how do i ensure my paid apps, mainly pda tethering re-appear after i flash the official 2.1 for the hero.

sorry, but windows was much easier for me than android...thanks for all your help in advance.

p.s. - what does the forum see as advantages for the new 2.1 from 1.5?