If you are totally new to cell phone flashing, here is the basics for you:

A Basic flash is simply overwriting the PRL of your phone with a PRL from a carrier of your choice. You will not get any data features such as WAP/MMS. However, you will get talk and text.

A Full Flash is simply programming the phone for data purposes such as the MMS/WAP. There are numerous phones that can be fully flashed. However, there are also some that can't. That is due to a lot of different reasons. When this phone is fully flashed you will still see the native carriers logos/artwork.

Branding: This is simply loading up the carrier's firmware to your phone. Examples are motorola monsters and samsung bins. This is a COMPLETE cricket phone with the logos, apps, etc. Easiest full flash to do, load the monster/bin and your done.

Software that is used to basic flash:

QPST
CDMA Workshop (found at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ])
Motorola RSD General

Software to fully flash:

LG Download
LGNPST
Samsung Phone Tools
RSD Lite

Terms:

MMS- Multi Media Service. In short, it is a picture or sound file sent to your phone.
WAP- Wireless Access Protocol. Pretty much internet on a two inch screen
PRL- Preferred Resource Locator- A small text file that tells the phone what towers to look for and also roaming preferences.
Bricking- Your phone is officially a paperweight.

Hopefully this helps you in the basics of flashing and the terms used. Remember, most of this stuff can be found on the internet somewhere. And a lot of times right here on CDMA Gurus