Is this the right phone for me?

[BlindRacer]

I have verizon and it's time for me to get a new phone (and I have to stay with verizon). I've never had a PPC, and I've not really needed it, but I'd like to get something a little more capable than my first generation chocolate (which I don't even use for music).

I'm not planning on getting internet access for the phone. I don't even know how that works. If I didn't get the access, then would I still be able to use the internet on it through my wireless router at home for free?

It seems like this HTC touch might be the best phone offered from verizon right now. Is it worth it? What type of things can be done on it? With and without the internet?

I've also heard of the LG Dare coming out soon. I don't think that's a PPC, but is that a phone that could be worth getting? I'm really new to this higher tech phone stuff, but I'd really like to get something really nice this next time around. I'm I able to use this phone without a data plan (what is that?). Or could I use it with my normal plan?

Thanks for all the answers to my stupid questions, but I've been reading though a bunch of the posts and i'm so confussed about all the terminology, like rom's and kitchens, and flashes, and whatever.

And can you believe I'm only 25? Sounds like I'm 50 with how out of it I am.