I'd suggest that you invest in Titanium Backup Pro or MyBackup Pro. The root features allow you to backup applications and settings so that you don't have to setup everything all over again. However some ROMs will suggest against using these products. I've just grown accustomed to setting up apps every time I drop a new ROM on my phone.
And how often do you "drop a new ROM"?
If i am using things like go launcher and other go products, and i have my phone setup the way i like, what cant i do with these products that i CAN do with rooting and ROMing?
Seems to me repeated ROMing would make you spend an awful lot of time with your phone
when you say "themes" do you mean themes as in go launcher type ? and where would one find them?
what would you all suggest for my first ROM? I have heard mention of a few but most heard was of scotts clean rom, which i went to his site and checked it out but i really don't know what i am reading.
Your recommendations......