Hello
You can ask how to hack things over at
http://www.photopostdev.com
1. Not the general public no ALBUMS ARE PERSONAL ALBUMS
2. NO
3. Nope they are not increased true. Hacking questions go to the hacking site.
4. thumbnails etc are show under members gallery. However under cats you just have a link to user assigned album.
Most your questions have to do with trying to make personal albums a public thing if I am reading right.