1) I don't know, I'll do some looking since I have the same touchpad. Mine works as I'd expect with scrolling along the side of the track pad as well and single and double clicking working fine.
While spelunking around around for the Networking stuff... I found in "Startup Applications" (see below for location)
I found this as a Startup Application:
Name: Touchpad
Command: gsynaptics-init --sm-disable
Comment: Set your touchpad preferences
This becomes a "notification area applet" and easily lets me change behavior and function. Works a treat.
2) I've switch to using Network Manager for everything. Which is basically your "#2"
Look in "System -> Preferences -> Startup Applications"
Is "Network Manager" listed?
If not, add this:
Name: Network Manager
Command: nm-applet --sm-disable
Comment: Control your network connections
I've changed my "/etc/network/interfaces" to look effectively like this:
################
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
allow-hotplug eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
################
Everything else is controlled via NM and NM also manages eth0 but not lo.
Wireless is good to go for me. Also, what Kernel are you using?
linux-image-2.6.30-1-686 v2.6.30-4 Works-a-plenty for me "automagically" as well Everything except things like (for instance) virtual box modules and such are included. (which you can add later at any time right now)
3) Wooo-boy. I had a problem with 100% utilization with Flash due to Video card issues.
What Video Card and version of X server related to it?
I have an (from lspci):
Intel Corporation Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 0c)
Using (from dpkg -l | grep xorg-video): xserver-xorg-video-intel v2:2.8.0-2
What version of Iceweasel?
I am using: 3.0.12-1
What version of flashplugin-nonfree?
I am using: 1:2.6
which installs:
File name: libflashplayer.so
Shockwave Flash 10.0 r22