can't answer all, but i'll number them
3: I found it easiest to start with magic.. especially the Fire Ball spell. Since it's high damage and area of effect, it'll seriously hurt groups of enemies even before you actually "start" the fight.
4: I do know about one area, with the three sleeping people. Apparently, they are bugged in a way that you get stuck after a dialog with one of them. (quicksave before speaking to any of them, if you have the bug, quit the game (Exit to Windows) restart game and load the quicksave until it doesn't get stuck anymore. At least, that's what i did)
6: You can view your current version in the main menu if i'm not mistaken.
7: Unfortunately, i have not found a way to increase the crosshair either, but you can of-course bind a key to "target lock", and press it when you have an enemy targeted. This will keep the enemy targeted until it dies. (even if you turn your back to it to run away, screaming "enemies!" in a high pitch voice to alert a nearby Hunter or Brute.. ohh wait, wrong game)