Upgrading Firmware, ROM, etc

[Nordo]

I'm a newbie.
My current phone status is:

Firmware : 2.3.3
Baseband Version : I9000SRJV1
Kernel Version : 2.6.35.7-I9000XWJVN-CL366455
Build Number : GINGERBREAD.XWJVN

The Samsung site (and KIES) tell me that this is all up to date.

There seems to be an enormous number of unofficial upgrades available. Most appear to need the phone to be rooted.

My questions are:
1. Is there somewhere that explains what all the version numbers above mean?
2. How to safely root my phone?
3. What is the difference in upgrading ROM and firmware?
4. What upgrades are worth doing?

Any help appreciated.
Cheers

[Tufftoad]

Not true about the phone being rooted. All firmwares from SamMobile.com can be flashed without rooting.

ROM is firmware and firmware is ROM - Check the forum dictionary in the new members & site part of the forum.

You will have to read threads in the Android Development part of the forum to see what people are saying. There are just too many firmwares for people to tell which is the best.

Edit: SamMobile & Samfirmware have guides and also a 'Samsung Letter Code Page' which describes what the codes in the firmware name are.

The latest stable firmware is JVT btw

[Nordo]

Hi
Thanks for all the info and the SamMobile link.
BTW, my SGS is a GT-I9000.

Using *#1234# I get:
PDA : I9000XWJVN
CSC : I9000OPSJV5

The latest firmware I could find on Samfirmware was the firmware I currently have installed.
It took me quite an effort to find it on the site, as they had it listed under 'North America', not under 'Oceania', as it should be.

How important is it to have the firmware match your country (Australia) and your provider (Optus)?

And I promise to check the forum dictionary and the New Members sections thoroughly.
Cheers

[Tufftoad]

It is pretty important as the signal frequency changes from region to region. It could effect the quality of your calls or inhibit them all together. You may want to wait till later on today when more members log in to this forum.

I'm in UK so am not really limited with firmware.

[Nordo]

It is pretty important as the signal frequency changes from region to region. It could effect the quality of your calls or inhibit them all together. You may want to wait till later on today when more members log in to this forum.

I'm in UK so am not really limited with firmware.

Cheers
Thanks again.