So I have only played through the first few tutorial missions.  A friend who started many hours before me said when you finsih the last one you get a robot that will allow you to mount up to 4 mineing/guns on it.  Last night a guy on the help channel said I should not spend any of my points till I am ready to do transport missions.

So my questions are:
1.  After I work through the turoials, should I use that bot with the 4 mounts and start mineing like crazy on the pve land mass?

2.  When should I spend my skill points and on what?
     (is it ok to spend some on shooting skills so I can get kernels or should I just try to buy them with money I make from selling stuff I mine?) Be specific on recomendations as I am totally new

3.  How long should I expect to play the game before I can make stuff folks might want to buy?  (On a 15 day trial right now)

thanks