What NOT to do - Avoiding 'download mode'??

[kraygh]

I really don't mean to come down on you, so don't take it that way.

This site is for geeks. Thus the name.

I've seen many posts on here from people who want a perfect safe method for everything they try, but the bottom line is.... WE ARE HACKING THIS PHONE. Say it over and over again. Hacking.
There are no guarantees and human error cannot be 100% avoided. If you are no tech guy, then why are you in the upgrade forum, you know? If you are not sure (or don't have the hardware insurance plan, lol) then don't do ANYTHING. No one's putting a gun to your head saying you must.
I mean, with the exception of enabling GPS or utilizing the kitchen rom-building program, there is no real MAJOR UPGRADE you can do that will turn your phone into an entirely different piece of equipment from what you've had before. I play with new ROMs every week and guess what... it's still a phone... with a camera.... and touch screen.
Just stick with installing programs if there is something you'd like to try. Most programs are easy to uninstall.