[Captivate General] nbs11:
I hope this how to guide is helpful. Yes it is not all about the AT&T crap, it also removes the horrible touchwiz launcher.

NOTE THERE IS A MUCH MORE DETAILED GUIDE HERE

1. Install a launcher substitute.

Personally, I prefer launcher pro, so that is the one I will be talking about in this step. You can pick this app up for free from the android market.

This launcher completely replaces your home screens and your application drawer with something more stock android like. It has several improvements over the actual stock android launcher also, so I would recommend it for any phone, not just TouchWiz phones.

CAUTION FROM THIS POINT ON YOU THINGS COULD (although unlikely) GO WRONG. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. I AM NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED IN ANY PART OF THIS TUTORIAL.

2. Root your phone

Note that this does void your warrenty and prevent returning of your phone. All that aside it is relatively easy.

2a. Download the following root update at: mediafire.com/download.php?eilzbhfl73rij1v

2b. DO NOT UNZIP THIS FILE. Instead, rename it update.zip

2c. Mount your phones internal storage to you computer. If you are on a mac, that may require enable debugging mode in the application settings menu. If you are on a PC it requires the Samsung Captivate drivers forum.xdadevelopers.com/showthread.php?t=728929

2d. Copy the drivers to your phones internal storage and unmount and unplug your phone.

2e. Turn your phone off.

2f. Turn your phone on by pressing volume up and down while pressing the power button.

2g. Use volume up and down to select reinstall packages and then press the power button. Allow it to update.

2h. Once you reboot, your phone should be rooted.

3. Uninstall the bloatware.

3a.Download Titanium Backup from the Market

3b. Make sure your sd card is mounted to your phone (not your PC)

3c. Once it is installed install the busybox version they prompt you to.

3d. Press the Backup/Restore tab (if not already pressed).

3e. Find any of the following applications that you want to delete. If you don't know what it is, I recommend not deleting it. There are other bloatware apps, but I recommend keeping them.:

At&t Navigator

At&t Radio

At&t Maps

At&t Music

At&t Mobile Hotspots

Mobile Banking

Mobile Video

Where

YPmobile

At&t FamilyMap

Mini Diary

MobiTV

Write and Go

Media Hub

Daily Breifing

3f. Click on the app and press the red un-install button. NOTE UNINSTALL WILL REMAIN THROUGH FACTORY RESET ONLY UNINSTALL IF YOU ARE SURE YOU WANT TO.

4. Sideloading Apps

4a. If you are on a PC download this androidcentral.com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine

4b. If you are on a Mac (me) or Linux download this androidcentral.com/android-central-sideload-wonder-machine-linux-and-mac-talented-forum-member (note the mac and linux link is down atm but it should be back up soon.

4c. if neither of those options suit you and you want a more perminate (note it did not work for me) solution, then try this xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=728121

5. The service

You're screwed. (It works pretty nice where I live, but always manages to be dead when I need it the most.)

6. The Voicemail

While this is not carrier specific (all carrier voice-mails suck) , I thought I would include the fact that you can get visual voicemail from Google via its Google Voice voicemail service using your current number. For more information go to this link google.com/voice

note sorry my links are so weird, I am a new member and they do not let me post links.