1- is latest OFW hackable
Yes.
2- I'll be using only my internal 1tb HDD is this ok?
It depends on what you are going to install on there. If you want to install every PS3 game ever made on the internal hard drive then no it's not big enough.
If you use ps3netsrv to stream iso to the PS3 then it's more than big enough, I went back to the original 250gb in mine.
3- I've seen multiple cfw, which is recommended?
I use the latest rebug.
4- should I follow guides on here or other sources? (The stickies look outdated)
I would use this one (click on flash writer tab and then click on show spoiler)
http://www.psx-place.com/threads/ps...even-easier-to-install-cfw-on-4-82-ofw.16139/
This guide uses a server on the internet to install the exploit, I always self hosted it so my ps3 doesn't need to be connected to the internet but either way should work the same. To self host it you just need to install a web server on a pc, router, nas, phone etc
The last time I did it, going straight to official rebug from OFW requires you to boot into recovery mode & install from there.
https://ccm.net/faq/13160-playstation-3-how-to-access-the-recovery-mode
There is a hacked rebug going round that would install from the XMB and other CFW will do it too, but I prefer to use the official one from
http://rebug.me
Official forums for the exploit are here
http://www.psx-place.com/forums/PS3Xploit/
I'm assuming mine is hackable but the sticky had a dead link so I don't know.
View attachment 141088
All consoles are hackable, but some can have CFW and others are less hackable and has to be performed on every boot.
The switch over came during the CECH-250x, so it depends on the date code/manufacture date. Use minverchk to find out the lowest PUP your console will accept.
http://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/SKU_Models
If it's 3.50 then you can definitely install CFW, if it's 3.60 then you definitely can't.
For 3.56 I think you should be able to install CFW, but don't follow any guides that require you to downgrade to 3.55 as it won't work.
I haven't ever used the exploits for later consoles (called HAN), so I can't answer about that.