1) i just use selection handels for all the spine, shoulder, head, elbows, wrist. Ik for the legs. Loactors for the hand functions, and locators for the eyes.

2) A MAYA built in skeleton genorator=)..

3) Is good for a beginer to have some back up documention to help you along

4) I only use sliders for the facial animation, but it comes down to the person.

I like having as much control as I can over my charcter so I use mostly FK from the root up. I do use all IK for game animation.