1. can also hold W and left mouse click and hold to choose move tool options.
2. I don't recall offhand if you're able to rotate the pivot point in pivot edit mode or not, as I don't think I've ever had to do so, but you can rotate the local rotational axis by selecting the ? (Miscellaneous) component selection mask in component mode.
3. hmm, not sure about that one. You can use the Layout of Outliner/Persp if you need to.
4. Panels > Orthographic > Top

Pretty sure you can choose Left or Right in saved bookmarks section of View menu, if I recall correctly.