2. No idea.
3. They probably have advanced scanning techniques that can locate settlements, especially probe droids (though they are never seen, one can always assume).
4. Probably so they can more easily keep track of the crushed pieces for charting purposes?
5. Throwback to old WWII flicks I imagine. There doesn't seem to be any deep space survival gear.
6. PARallax of one arc SECond. About 3.2 lightyears. Google or wikipedia for a more detailed explanation (yes, it is a real measurement).
7. I don't know if its ever named. Just some type of credits I imagine.
8. This is one of the many things that is unexplained in the prequels. I suppose one can explain it away by saying that Anakin crafted the mechanics and such and the Republic later covered him with their own bodies.
Hope this helps. And no, they're not stupid at all.
