My personal opinions....
1. Depends what you want to do with them. Straight fighter is pretty dependable. Barbarian is an ok choice. Kensai works well for dual classing to a mage or a theif. I'd go with a Fighter or Kensai myself, but then I always dual class.
2. I'd put two in each at least. If you want more than one weapon type, I'd put two in the dual weild skill to minimise the penalty in your off hand, and then split your other points in your weapon skills of choice. Bear in mind that you'll gain more skill points as you progress.
3. Jahiera every time.
4. The two options are in place to account for your party alignment. Shadow Thieves are for the good party, and Bodhi is for the evil one. You risk losing party members if you take Bodhi with good characters.
Hope that helps, and welcome to the boards
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"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein
[This message has been edited by Tilien (edited 10-18-2001).]