Do I really need to.. ?

[w00t]

Flashing a new firmware in the event my phone is locked. If it is locked what does that actually mean? That I cant upload swf files to my FS?

Pressing <**< I got:

A screen with: Personalized with MNC3

and then

Network with a lock icon also
Network subset with a lock.

What do I do?

because the locks are locked, then your phone is locked. (see above for what locked means)