I have a 1000 with 5.50GEN-D2 which I'm happy with, but all the new plugins (the ones out now and ones to come) support the 6.XX kernel. I was thinking of upgrading, but I was a little iffy as to what I can get. Someone please tell me what the best firmware is for:

ISO/Backup Play
Homebrew Play
PS1 Games
Plugin support (nifty ones and cool ones, I liked the look of xmbctrl)
Permanent Patch

I also want to be able to use that game categories plugin (light) for a newer firmware, but I'm not sure how I would use it (the old one was CAT_x)

+rep to helper