iPod touch jailbreaking newbie question

I'd go with the latest one. And yes you need wifi and they will appear soon as you install them and the tough restarts.

I think version 2.6b to 3.0 should work for you no problem will only take about 2 mins for the whole process to happen.

the way to wifi enable your touch is to merely turn the wifi to on and pair with a router

as for apps, when ziphone is done and you slide to unlock the touch you will have an icon called installer this is what you use to get all the 3rd party apps on your touch in an automatic fashion.

couple of good apps are summerboard and customize both good to apply themes and change different parts of the touch.

if you want the january update with mail, maps etc go to installer app then click sources (bottom right corner) then click edit then add and type the following: http://ipodtouched.net/repo.xml

click ok and you will get a message saying sources are being refreshed. When that is done click on install along the bottom of screen and scroll down to iPod Touched in their click on iPhone Apps + Wiggle, confirm install then wait for it to finish installing click home button, slide to unlock and tada you have the apps.

Also make sure you go to sources in installer and install community sources (this will add more items to installer for you to choose from)

Customize - if you have problems installing or running this (if installed uninstall first), go back to iPod Touched category then install modded customize and ur set