2: You can't zoom per se, but you can alter the field of view (X/Y to do it in slow increments, or CTRL+X/Y for every 10°).
Don't you mean "Z/X" and "ctrl+Z/ctrl+X" ?
oh wow that was fast
Personally, as I am still a relative newb at Orbiter, I'd recommend using the Delta Glider IV as your first vessel. You definitely don't want something like the Shuttle, that is way too hard.
The default Delta Glider is good for beginners; it was meant to demonstrate the principles of physics in Orbiter without limiting you with too many systems and stuff.
However, I found it easier to start with DGIV, because the autopilots can get you through the parts you don't know, and it has a built in checklist.
Of course, you must know the basics before you just start doing what the checklists tell you- they are really only for that vessel. But the DGIV at least gives you some guidance.
After you can launch to the correct inclination, achieve a circular orbit, change planes, sync orbit with another vessel, dock, deorbit, and land, THEN you can move to harder vessels like the Shuttle. Until then, DGIV's autopilots can cover the tricky manual parts like ascent and reentry, letting you focus on the orbits.
Also, the first thing I learned to do was docking. It's actually not hard, that's how I began to learn. Dunno if that helps.
cheerz
