noob question: new 3g 16gb iphone, where do i start?

*** Warning Noob question ***

Hey Guys,
I'm brand new to your scene.. So i apologize in advance for the noob question.

I just got a brand new 3G 16GB iphone from Rogers ( a canadian cell provider). It's fresh out of the box, i'm charging it right now but i do not want to activate until I can better understand how to get the most of my phone.

At this point i can't even tell what firmware it is or if my provider locked the phone. Its has not been activated.

i also DO NOT plan on using the data services from my provider as they rape us up here in Canada... wifi only for me


I'm trying to maximize the use of my iphone for the most phun as possible:
- using it as my main phone obviously
- use any sim when i travel.
- jailbreak
- Run home brew applications non apple approved apps etc
- get shell access
- install additional bsd programs as needed.
- Media player for divx etc


So guys, where do I start? Do i activate the phone via itunes first than run the jailbreak or PwnageTool app then yellowsnow? Whats the best sequence of hacks? How can i tell what the current software version and firmware its running?

I have both windows and Mac boxes if that helps.