Android phones, apps and tablets

I understand many hacks require rooting the phone and risk bricking it. Are there any other options? I don't understand why one user would have so few problems, despite more stuff on it, and I have so many!

If you use the right tools there is virtually no risk of bricking when you root a Desire. Basically because the tools are intelligent enough not to proceed with the flashing if anything is wrong. I'd highly recommend rooting and sticking CyanogenMod7 on it. I was in the same situation as you before: could hardly install any apps and my wi-fi hotspot didn't work.

Cyanogen has fixed my wi-fi hotspot: it now works perfectly. I have better battery life, a better 3G signal, weirdly, the phone is smoother, faster and nicer to use and I've now also got about 16 apps installed with 35Mbs free :)

Are you running Gingerbread?