So very lost XV6800

[durwoodghib]

Greetings,

I am so new at this that a "newbie" is an expert in my view. I have done quite a bit of reading on here and other sites that were linked from here. So here is some background and my question. I just got changed from a Motorla Q to the HTC XV6800 from Verizon.
It has WM6.0
Ram version: 2.09.605.8
Radio Version: 1.30.60.
I want to customize this handset a little but most of all I would like to be able to use the GPS with 3rd party apps. I understand that Verizon has released a maintenance upgrade but have seen warnings not to use it.
Please help and try to keep the terms in newer than newbie format.
Oh and one more thing…please be patient with me if I ask a lot of questions.