conorp

Not really sure, but any reason why you chose to install an old version of WordPress. 3.0 is the current version.

Try switching to the default WordPress theme (2010). See if the widget issue still exists.

What error message do you get?

you can use a plugin like this: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/maintenance-mode/

If you install the feedburner feedsmith plugin it should handle everything on WordPress’ side.

This would be very much like an archive page. Your theme may already come with one.

The categories themselves are pages.

Heres an example: http://wpkickstart.com/category/screencasts/

WordPress search isn’t considered to be particularly good and it appears tags aren’t part of the search.

You could use something like this though to replace your search: http://www.google.com/cse/