He might be referring to a "shelf tune". Basically copying a tune from ZZP, Intense, or wbody store. It's a basic tune similar to the $125 PCM you get from the vendor. Although I have never heard it called a "canned tune" before. Typically a canned tune would be one that is locked from a vendor.
The other guy, as far as telling you a plog and dp or headers is because of the KR that typically will happen when you push too much boost with little mods. Although many have run a u-bend delete, intake, and 3.4 pulley for years with NO issues. However, it is typically recommended to do some better exhaust mods to allow the engine to breathe. If you are going to mod you might as well maximize the engines potential.
What kind of power are you looking for? What do you want to run in the 1/4? What are your goals with the car?