Mr. Ed
Extreme Android User
Installed handcent, you're right, pretty good amount of customizing available! Is the best option with the stock message app just to turn off incoming message notifications or is there a better way to make sure it's not being used? (already made handcent default message app)
that is it. delete it from your homescreen and turn off all notifications from within it's menu and you are good to go.
don't ever "delete" or "freeze" the stock msg app