[Samsung Mesmerize] bdemartino:
When I began this process about 2 weeks ago, I was at the same experience level as you Tyler. This is what worked easiest for me for my US Cellular Mesmerize.

(I'm just going to elaborate a bit on what Dcow posted, hopefully he doesn't mind :).

Also keep in mind there are many variations to each step, this is what worked for me the easiest as a newb, hoping it does for you too.

And last but not least. There is always the disclaimer that attempting any of this can and will make your phone dysfunctional and or possibly bricked beyond repair (but most likely just dysfunctional which is a pain in the arse to deal with) if you do not follow steps completely (and of a trustworthy source such as xda).

So take your time, read each step that these people have taken the time to carefully write up, and you'll be just fine. Be patient as things don't always move fast and you never want to freak out as you may screw things up bad, when it's actually just taking longer than you would expect. There is alot going on behind the scenes so just give it time, trust me!

1) Root your phone. - Basically all this means is gaining the ability to give programs/apps and yourself SuperUser access (equivalent of being admin in windows) and also the ability to flash roms via recovery, detailed below.

The easiest way to root is to acquire the z4root.apk.

Download Here

After download, put z4root.apk on your SD card root directory

Then make sure in Settings->Applications that the "Unknown sources" box is checked.

If you don't have a file manager, download a free one from the market, using the file manager navigate to the z4root.apk and select to install it.

Reboot your phone

After it boots, open the z4root app and press root. At this point it is going to hang, give it 2 minutes and pull the battery. Count to 10, put it back in and turn it on. - This is normal, trust me.

After it reboots open z4root again and run it, this time it will run no problems and phone will reboot.

Once you are rooted (you will see the superuser icon in your apps, it will show apps you've given that permission to eventually) you will need to make sure you have a file manager that can request root permissions (read/write) before you will be able to complete the next step. Search the market for "root file manager" and pick one to download and install.

Also at this step I would download and install RomManager and TerminalEmulator as you will need these later.

2) Install RomManager and the ClockworkMod Recovery. These will basically just give you the ability to boot into recovery where you can more easily flash kernel's/rom's and anything else you wish to push to your phone.

I was able to install the Clockwork Mod Recovery very easily just by simply using the root file manager app I downloaded with these instructions.

Download the two zip files located in the first post here

Place both files on your SD card root

Using the root file explorer app, move the Redbend_ua file from the SD card to /system/xbin/

Long press on the Redbend_ua file and click permissions, there should be one check missing, check that.

Now open the TerminalEmulator

NOTE:The spaces below are actual spaces and the bml8 is a lowercase "L" not a "1" there is also a space after cd, after redbend_ua, after restore, and after recovery.bin

TYPE THIS ALL EXACTLY AS SHOWN BETWEEN THE QUOTES

at the command line ($) type "su" (then hit enter)

Type "cd /system/xbin" (then hit enter, which changes directory)

Type "redbend_ua restore /sdcard/recovery.bin /dev/block/bml8" (then hit enter, It will now scroll a bunch of text and reboot.)

After phone boots, open RomManager

Click on Flash ClockworkMod Recovery

Select the Samsung Fascinate your phone will still be the mesmerize ;)

At this point you're all stock and ready for new kernel/rom.

3) Install Voodoo lagfix kernel and new 5.0 sound

If you want speed and good battery life (and high standard marks) +unlocking the headphone amp and eq controls (it makes even the samsung headset sound killer) go here and follow those steps for using your now functional recovery mode to flash the new Voodoo 5.0 kernel.

Note:

There are a few ways of getting into this recovery mode, the best way if all else fails is to hold phone from the back with left hand (thumb on volume button, in the middle holding both down and pointer on power button) hold these down until the mesmerize logo pops up then slide your thumb down a bit to volume down only (if you slip don't worry it might blink but it'll still go to recovery)

Note:

If you are more code/computer oriented there is a method using a program called ADB, which I'm not familiar with and seemed more complicated than what I went with. Search for that on the forum if you wish to do the above process that way instead.

4) Download and install the ROM of your choice.

Just pick one from this list Here, read through the first post of each before you decide, some are plug and play some take a few steps first.

Credit goes to all of the OP's and many others included in my sig, these people are awesome show them some love!