Wow.
Thank you DooMLord!!!
I'm totally new to this...
I just found the instructions for flashing my UK Arc S to ICS, and followed the instructions.
I must admit that I experimented with not selecting 'erase user data' and found that I had all my files and settings and apps still intact after the upgrade, with no discernible consequence for having done so. ICS seems every bit as smooth, after a brief period of slowdown while the system accounted for the apps on the SD card, as GB was.
Should I expect consequences of not erasing user data?
So then, courtesy of the links on XperiaBlog, I followed the instructions here for rooting ICS and now have a rooted Arc S...
Now... since I'm a total n00b, could someone point me in the direction of what useful things a mere 'user' of the Arc S can do with a rooted phone, please?
I'm interested in what I can do, now, that I couldn't before, including removing bloatware that Sony crammed onto my device...
Can anyone offer tips, suggestions, or redirect me to an article on the site that discusses 'root' options for new users?
And again, many many thanks to DooMLord and all the guys who made the various flash tools and updates, and tried and tested these techniques, for the rest of us to enjoy. You guys are legendary!