2 minutes video to show how easy it is to root the Arc with Gingerbreak, how useful the Titanium Backup Pro (paid) is and how DANGEROUS it is to simply-simply suka-suka freeze (stop) a system service like the Home 1.0 service - which will hang the phone for which only a HARD FACTORY RESET may get your phone working again.
Gingerbreak the Gingerbread Arc - Youtube video by local Forum Member

As you i have only ever used an android phone < 2weeks but im well read. As you can see from the youtube video, removing sony ericsson stuff requires you to hv root rights and then use the paid copy of titanium bckup pro. Then freezing or uninstalling the entry for se wallpaper and related services. Im short, when in TBPro, goto backup/restore tab, settings - filter only system items - apply... then look for se wallpaper related items - select it - either freeze or uninstall. But best to just hit backup first so that you may restore it should you need to before freezing or uninstalling anything.

Maybe supermen like Benny or Ultima can comment further; im just a nobody but since you asked, thats my response. Good luck.

Best way to sync is via Google calender.

Google Calendar: http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=89955

Create 2 google account?

pm-ed you papago x5 step by step guide.

Yes, Maps 5.5 can only work online now. It is not a big problem if you pre-cache the route though because actual data usage for location tracking is very minimal.

im using mybackup pro, it can backup almost everything..

its not free, but i know u know a way around..

btw, TB can backup sms or not for the latest version? havent tried it lately so dunno whts the improvement they bring..

one thing i stick with MBP is bcoz the ability to backup sms, contact, call log, bookmarks, mms, n system settings..

i hope not all will unlocked the bootloaders ler, if not who will provide us with the files for us to update our firmware using flashtool lol..

You launch Titanium BU : go to tab Batch - scroll down select your app and choose what you wish to do with it

MyPackuppro - if root version will backup all settings/data associated with your app. Non root - you backup only the app apk file. Root version will also allow you choice to backup all default system apps apk

All these questions, if you bother to google at the respective app website - all the answers are there; is just a matter of typing few characters in google search box and you will find the app website

btw, someone from xda forum mentioned they found a way to root 2.3.3 but u nid to revert back to .181 first, then update to .145 through OTA..

u nid to use flashtool to revert back to .181, so read carefully how to do it b4 proceed..

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread...59#post14534859

n for those unlocked bootloader user, jerpelea from xda forum oledi got hand on ARC, so its juz a matter of time b4 custom rom will b made

Mine is the same setup as yours...called up SE support,they're not sure when OTA will be available.
So ended up doing as what xda developers tutorial...flashed to generic global rom 181, rooted using Gingerbreak (took almost 10 mis) then used OTA to upgrade to 2.3.3...it worked! Now mine is 2.3.3 rooted,boot loader locked.

gingerbreak have been quite inactive, so dun think there will b a support for new version..

if u hav root, thr r many apps out there tht can backup ur sms, call logs, contacts, system settings n more..

backup all those b4 u update..

but make sure ur 2.3.3 got root or else u cant retrieve back the backups..

The generic firmware in xda doesn't comes with AppInstaller, i tried searched for it while i am still in flashed 2.3.2. There are plenty of AppInstaller in market that can do the same job.

Din't use Go Contacts/Messaging, but my Go calendar and Go weather working fine.

HTC sure owns in terms of build quality. I have to agree that HTC loudspeaker is crappy, sharp and thin. I like the way the phone feels in my hand too. Just that i dislike the buttons to be too low at the bottom of the phone.

Anybody notice the screen have some sort of dots that fills the entire screen running vertically and horizontally? Whats that for? Bravia engine tech?

Screen wise desire hd uses only LCD which is useless in the sun, you should try Super AMOLED in the sun  Though arc fair quite well in bright sun too.

The interface seems like a launcher i have used before, forgot the name already. Interface lags from time to time. Probably due to the graphics chip.

Which version? Mine 3.0 never had any problem.

Nope for now... Don't know if there will be in the future...