ok...i've tried with a couple of threads in different sections here but i guess i havent given all the information needed so i'll try it here.

i have an iphone 3gs which i jailbroke using the 3.0 firmware. i then updated my itunes to 9.0.1.8 and it was safe to do so with some help i got from people here by checking Cydia and finding out the my device has a 3.1 ECID SHSH on file.

i want to upgrade to 3.1.2 but i don't know what the safest way to do this is. not sure if updating straight from itunes (the firmware) is a safe choice and then use blackra1n to jailbreak.

I've had people mention that using a custom firmware and updating the firmware in that way would be best to preserve my baseband and not have to change to a new one.

to be honest...it's made me very confused as to what the right way to do this is. can anyone point me to the right direction with this situation (my life depends on it) hahaah...not really...i make it sound that way but i've become frustrated that i dont understand these things...sorry for my ignorance everyone...

thanks!