Probelm Working With Icons

Question

I have learned that, in order to start the icons shaking, you have to hold down on one of them for two or three seconds. Then you can work with them, i.e., move them or delete them.
But strange things can happen once they start shaking. I don't know how I did it, but now, two of my icons have an "X" in a circle in the upper left portion of each icon. What does that mean? I don't want it there. How do I get rid of it?
Also, I held down on an icon for three or four seconds once they all started shaking and, all of a sudden, a "2" in a circle appeared in the upper left hand portion of my Mail icon. What does that mean? I don't want it there. How do I get rid of it?
Finally, once they all start shaking, how do you get them to STOP shaking? Is there any way to do it other than to punch the "back to home screen" button in the lower center portion of the Ipod?
Basic stuff, I know - but I am brand new to Ipods. Any help would me most appreciated.

Answer 1

If someone is aware that the presence of an X means the possible deletion of the icon (and the app underlying it as well) and they know they do not want to delete the icon/app, then they might, conceiveably, want to get rid of the X because (1) it serves no purpose for them and (2) they don't want to run the risk of accidentally deleting the icon/app.
That's the reason I asked the question in the first place about "getting rid of the X." When I asked it, I didn't know that it couldn't be done.
I am brand new to Ipod'ing, which should explain more than anything else. I know what you mean about unintended consequences of things we put up on an Internet message board - it is easy to be misinterpreted. Don't worry - I see you as a friend, not an enemy.
I only have two "non-original" apps installed on my Ipod so far. Will all of them have the dreaded X on them as I install them? I understand you don't see the X until the icons start to wiggle, i.e., you are in customize mode. But once they do start to wiggle, will all non-original apps show an X automatically?
I can't remember whether or not my non-original apps showed the X before when I was in custom mode. I kind of think they didn't, and that I must have done something to put the X there.
I hope you're with me on all this . . .