you will find that the templates for the $300 script you buy are prolly just the same

when i first started it editing them it can be a bit hard to find what your after, and the html code (mainly tables) was not that great but you get used to it and it becomes a lot easier and less annoying

1) edit right.tpl

4) you could remove all the code in search_box.tpl

dont have time to help with ur other questions....got loads to sort atm...maybe someone else can help