[Verizon] GNEX ROM Flashers Starter Kit

[StateYourJames]

I've been able to successfully flash AOKP M4 and love it. My Tbolt had CM7 and I loved it, though it does not compare to the Nexus, although the battery life is bringing back memories (not complaining, 720p & 4.65" keeps drool flowing).

I am good at navigating the guides, and finding out what I need to do in reference to unlocking, rooting and flashing - but I'd like to dive deeper into the hobby.

A lot of the data is scattered, I'm wondering if:
Either A: Someone can direct me to a "So you want to be part of bug reporting and flashing new builds and be on the bleeding edge of new ROMs?" sticky guide that lists the most efficient way to do this, including the best applications to try a lot of ROMs without losing your stuff every time (I'm assuming TiBu is going to get thrown at me, though I've never used it).
Or B: A little help on what to use and why.

I'm really interested in flashing kernels and helping and being a help to the community. It really is fun, and I have to be honest, though I am FAR from a developer, each successful flash is SO rewarding. Just want to gain what I can from the other GNEX experiences.

 

[Yeahha]

Well for A, you would need to find out what the dev team requires to get test builds. Some will provide test builds if you donate to them, I am not sure about others.

I use TiBu for backing my data up. You can't backup/restore system data usually as it can cause issues. There are other apps out there but I have used titanium for as long as I have had a rooted phone.

Flashing kernels is easy, just like a rom flash but you only wipe cache and dalvik.