Kasey Krehbiel
Member
To check your current version, go to settings>about phone and check the system version. If it is '4.5.596' you will need to SBF. You then have the option of the stock, rooted .596 gingerbread build or a custom ROM of Gingerbread.
As for uninstalling the apps, you can, but itbe careful. If you uninstall the wrong thing, other functions go out the door like email. I suggest using Titanium backup or something similar to 'freeze' the unwanted apps.
This is why I recommend the Liberty ROM. It doesn't install anything on your phone that isn't necessary, so you don't have to worry about picking which apps to freeze, uninstall, etc. You just install the apps you use over the ROM and call it a day.
Besides, there are tons of themes in the Liberty forum to change the basic colors of your phone (signal bars, battery, etc.) I personally use a green/black theme.