Paint.NET :: Moving Selected Item Automatically Leaves Checker Board Pattern On Image

I just got a new computer (Windows 7) and I don't like the default "Paint" program that comes with it. I've been using the Windows XP paint program for a long time and Paint.Net was the closest thing I could find to it.

I don't use Paint to edit photos or create super detailed artwork. I use it to draw little things (the image size is usually 50x50 or 100x100 pixels) and zooming in to 400%-800%. I've used paint.net a few times but I was wondering if there was a place in the program that would let me set preferences. It would just save a little time making it more convenient and less frustrating.

These are the things that I would like to change:

1: When moving a selected item it automatically leaves a "checker board" pattern on the image. It's relatively easy to fix with the "Paint Bucket" tool. Though if there was an option to make it only leave the default area white it would be a time saver.

2: When moving a selected item it will automatically replace the image beneath where you place it. In the Windows XP program there was an option to either replace an image or to replace all other colors except white (255green+255red+255green on the custom color spectrum). Is there an option like that in this program?

3: After moving a selected image (using the "rectangle select" tool then the "move selected pixels" tool) is it possible to simply de-select the selected image without having to click on the "rectangle select" tool and right clicking? In other words, being able to move an image, deselect the image, then automatically return the tool to "line" tool?

4: While using the "Line/Curve" tool the 4 click and drag points automatically appear on it to make it "curve-able" so is there a way to just leave it as a solid line without those 4 selectable points appearing?

5: Is there a way that I can make "Line Tool" my default cursor instead of pencil?