i am guessing you are trying to jailbreak your device. it can all depend upon each device but it shouldn't take to long. My suggestion, if possible don't jailbreak with redsnow, try jailbreaking with greenpois0n or limera1n. hope this helps :)
Depending on the game inserted it will generally take roughly 10 seconds to boot the game.
on an average network it takes around a minute. and it takes about the same to jailbreak
Yes, restoring your iPod will take off the jailbreak, and you will have to jailbreak it again.
It varies, I waited 4 months.
take off bolts you can get to them from boot take off bolts you can get to them from boot
yes, by restoring it.
If you are referring to a new firmware when you say "a new version" then no, it will no longer be jailbroken and will require you to jailbreak it once more. If you are asking this in relation to the 4.0 firmware you can still jailbreak it using a jailbreak tool called Redsn0w which can also allow you to not only install Cydia, but also enable multitasking, enable springboard (background) wallpaper, alter your boot logo, alter your recovery logo, and/or toggle a "verbose boot". It is a very good software, but please take the time to watch a tutorial/instructional video before attempting to use it should it be your first time.
Yes
Mine got swollen right away and we had to cut my boot off.
If they are apps downloaded from cydia, then no, because cydia apps don't sync with iTunes.
take your tire off, and look down your axle and you will see a boot.... There is a small clamp at each end of the boot. take those off, pull your boot off, then put new clamps on the new boot and put it back on...