Please don't double post.
If you want to learn how to model, I don't know if this is really the place for you. Granted we do have some people who are pretty skilled at modeling and texturing, but you might be better off going to a blender or 3dsmax forum and learning the basics.
But by all means feel free to stay and contribute what you can. As for your initial questions, as you familiarize yourself with the site, you will stumble on them.