1) At every forum there is at least one person giving away things to win over people with some kind of gifts. That, and I read a couple of other introductions.
2) Yeah, I plan to read some other books by him after I've finished Bands of Mourning. Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards Elantris and the Rithmatists books.
3) Yes, I've noticed some of the similarities and hints myself, and later I read some about it. I'm not looking for any more ways to connect the planets though, but I might pay more attention to those things if I re-read some of the books later.