Utterly Lost (RPG Maker 2k3)

As my post count would indicate, I'm quite new to this sort of thing - that said, I've dreamt of creating an RPG since the first day I booted Final Fantasy II (US) for the Super NES back in the good old days of 1991.  In any case, for the time being, I only have a little netbook (my computer is in need of repairs and this was a cheap impulse buy - but I like it for the most part).  Initially, I attempted to run RPG Maker XP but it wouldn't run because it apparently didn't care much for my little netbooks native resolution (aww  :'( ) - so, out of desperation, I downloaded RPG Maker 2k3.  It runs.

I'm sure that this will be an exceptionally annoying post for the experts who are already rolling their eyes in disdain - but I can already tell that I'm probably going to need a lot of help.

First off, some basic questions about this version of RPG Maker (2003):

1. Before downloading, I'd read that the game would recognize mp3s for BGM but when I attempted to import music into the game (just goofing around with it), it only gave me an option for .wavs and midis.  Did I read some misinformation about the product?

2. The version I downloaded is v1.05e Somprasongk Team.  Is this an acceptable version  of the game, or would I be better off downloading a different version?  And if so, where?

3. Everything is in English except for the help menus - all of the help topics and information are illegible.  Is that normal or is there a way to get an English version of the help topics? 

4. Can you draw custom sprites for characters or map tiles, etc?  Like, could I draw some of my own and incorporate them into the game pretty easily? 

5. How hard is it to create dialogue between characters - between pcs and npcs, and between npcs with other npcs?  I think storytelling and dialogue are very important factors in a great RPG.  So far, I'm puzzled on how that would even work.  And events, triggers, variables, etc - my head is about to explode with the apparent complexity of it all.

Any help would be appreciated.  I think this forum is great and I'm happy to have stumbled upon it.  I might have more questions in the future, but for now this would be a good start.

Thanks!!

LOCKE-JKLTO

1. Before downloading, I'd read that the game would recognize mp3s for BGM but when I attempted to import music into the game (just goofing around with it), it only gave me an option for .wavs and midis.  Did I read some misinformation about the product?
-To my knowledge, it supports MP3s. I remember importing them before.

2. The version I downloaded is v1.05e Somprasongk Team.  Is this an acceptable version  of the game, or would I be better off downloading a different version?  And if so, where?
-Sure ?_?

3. Everything is in English except for the help menus - all of the help topics and information are illegible.  Is that normal or is there a way to get an English version of the help topics? 
-The Engrish version of 2K3 is an unofficial translation. The help menus weren't completely translated, I'm guessing.

4. Can you draw custom sprites for characters or map tiles, etc?  Like, could I draw some of my own and incorporate them into the game pretty easily? 
-Yes. Just follow a template, and import it.

5. How hard is it to create dialogue between characters - between pcs and npcs, and between npcs with other npcs?  I think storytelling and dialogue are very important factors in a great RPG.  So far, I'm puzzled on how that would even work.  And events, triggers, variables, etc - my head is about to explode with the apparent complexity of it all.
-It's very simple. The events are clearly labeled. Just play around.

From what I've heard from other people I know who use RM, switches seem to be one of the harder things for people starting out to grasp. I always tell people to thing of an event like a book. You can create multiple pages in said book, but you need a way to turn the page. Thus, switches come in. Think of a switch as something that tells the event to turn a page AND what page to turn to.

I can give you an example of a switch.
Let's say you have an item supposedly shrouded in mist, and can only be seen if you have a certain item on.
Start out by creating an event, and clicking the "New Page" button at the top, so that you have two pages. Then go back to the first page.
Start with a Conditional Branch.

Code: [Select]

<>Branch if High Potion Possessed
   <>Switch Operation:[####:Test Mist] ON
   <>
: Else Handler
   <>
: End
<>


I used a High Potion for the sake of convenience, it was one of the first things on my list of items.
That means that if the hero has a High Potion, when it activates the "Item" that can't be seen by methods of your choosing, it turns on the switch Test Mist.
Now, you have your second page to do work on. Click the second page, Indicated by a 2 in a tab next to the 1. Those are your pages.
Preconditions, put a check in the first "Switch" box, and then click the "..." Box and select your Test Mist switch. That means that page 2 will only come into play if Test Mist is ON. Set the event graphic for the hidden item, and it will appear on the ground after all is said and done.
There ya go, I hope that was a good example of how a switch works. If you're still confused, let me know and I'll see if I can get some screenshots in for ya.