So when I do this, NONE of my apps are getting backed up?
No, which I provided with my previous post.
My apps are backed up during a "sync" process? If that's true, when does that occur?
Apps are not "backed up". As I already provided with my previous post.
+With Sync Apps selected under the Apps tab for your iPhone sync preferences with iTunes, which should be selected, after downloading an app with your iPhone the app will be copied to your iTunes library automatically the first time you sync your iPhone with iTunes after doing so.+
This occurs when syncing your iPhone with iTunes if Sync Apps is selected under the Apps tab for your iPhone sync preferences with iTunes, which should be selected. You do know what syncing your iPhone with iTunes means?
Just before I do the backup? If this is the case, isn't "sync" = "backup"?
No. You can manually backup your iPhone with iTunes without syncing your iPhone with iTunes, but the iPhone's backup is updated automatically as the first step during the iTunes sync process. The actual syncing or the transfer of iTunes content including 3rd party apps is done after the iPhone's backup is updated automatically as the first step during the iTunes sync process.
This link provides the data that is included with your iPhone's backup, which doesn't include ANY iTunes content. The iPhone's backup does not include music, movies, tv shows, podcasts, or 3rd party apps. All iTunes content on your iPhone - all music, movies, tv shows, and 3rd party apps should be in your iTunes library on your computer so there is no reason to include any iTunes content including 3rd party apps with the iPhone's backup.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766
"Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from syncing automatically".
This is to prevent any iPod, iPhone, or iPad from syncing automatically when connected to iTunes on your computer. This does not prevent you from manually selecting Sync for your iPhone when connected.
I don't trust iTunes. It's screwed me and just about everyone else I know who uses it.
I've never had a bit of trouble with iTunes, which was available and I've been using before the first iPod was released.
So again, does "sync" = "backup my app data" = "copy app data to computer"?
This is the first time you asked this question. If you read the info included with the link provided, all data on the iPhone that is included with the iPhone's backup is listed. No iTunes content on the iPhone is included with the iPhone's backup including 3rd party apps. 3rd party app settings and data created and stored by a 3rd party app is included or should be included with the iPhone's backup.
The term sync is used with iTunes but all data included with the iTunes sync process is not kept synchronized by the true definition of the word. Contacts, calendar events, notes, and Safari bookmarks are kept synchronized with a supported application on your computer per the definition of sync, but iTunes content is a transfer process, and the same for photos on your computer selected to be transferred to your iPhone, which is selected under the Photos tab for your iPhone sync preferences with iTunes.
The iTunes sync process is not a "backup" process. It is a combination of syncing some data between your iPhone and a supported application on your computer, and transferring some data such as iTunes content and photos. iTunes updates the iPhone's backup as the first step during the iTunes sync process with the data included with the iPhone's backup included with the link provided.