Those are not stupid questions at all.
1) Others may have various opinions on this and even more accurate opinions when it comes to the Z but from my experience, you want the clutch to feel as if its engaging when you first let up on the pedal and feel fully engaged toward the end of the pedal movement. New clutches should definitely feel as if they're beginning to engage very early in the movement.
2) Absolutely. As long as you foot is on the clutch you can leave it in gear especially if you're going to start moving again soon. I will quite frequently have the clutch fully depressed with my left foot while my right foot is on the brake. [I always put my foot on the brake just in case the guy behind me isn't paying attention]
3) I wouldn't let up on the clutch until the light is actually green. You can use the handbrake trick if you're worried about rolling backwards when you let off the foot brake. Another little thing, if someone is coming up behind me while I'm sitting on the hill I'll take my foot off my brake and let my car roll backwards a bit to let them know I'm in a standard and warn them not to get to close.
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