Dana,
I can help you with answers to #2 and #3. Hopefully, other
people will chime in with answers to #1 and #4.
First, answer to #3. I would recommend NOT compiling on a
network drive. In some cases, it can be slower. In other cases, if
you have a network "hiccup" during the middle of a compile, you
could fry the output - it's happened to me. Work locally, store
your final copy and make backups to your network drive.
For #2, the skins question. I created a custom skin and saved
all of the files to a separate folder on our network. Then, when I
create a new project, I import the skin. Unfortunately, I don't
think there's anyway to make your custom skin into the default for
each new project.
Hope this helps.
Jim