Anyone help a novice GM?, mostly questions about rules and SR missions that I can't grasp Options

[mindcandy]

Having been a huge fan of SR1/2 ten or twelve years ago I was really excited by the idea of playing some 4th ed SR. So much so that I offered to GM it. Sadly I have no experience GMing a game and some stuff I'm just plain failing at - please feel free to offer advice!

1). I noticed during character creation that my players simply ignored fairly basic things like buying commlinks, programs, contacts and edge. Having played earlier editions of the game (albeit over ten years ago now) these things just didn't strike the players as important. I imposed various house rules to restrict over spending on skills and attributes but in the end allowed everyone a 450BP character. I suspect this may have been a mistake now since the first 4 missions of the Denver campaign have offered little or no challenges (especially since my shaman can chuck around Lvl12 stun balls [and the player is prepared to take the drain hit for the team] and use spirits to 'conceal' the key team members). I know there is mention of a 'Table Rating' which I am supposed to use to tailor my NPC's to better counter the players - but I don't understand how it works or what 'TR' a party of 450BP characters equates too.

2). I'm finding it hard to obtain basic information about Denver as it exists at the start of the SR Missions campaign. The 4th ed timeline suggests that Aztechnology was pushed out of Denver by a dragon but the Sixth World Wiki suggests that Aztechnology are still present and active there - what am I missing? Is there a comprehensive list of gang territories and maps that is available for the Denver Campaign? Or do I have to construct my own from the mission briefs piecemeal?

3). Decking (sorry) Hacking. My hacker wants to hack everything to the point where he monopolises my time as a GM, effectively slowing the game down as badly as if the party had split up as per the old rules. How do I best convey the world view in such a way as he will recognise when paydata and real opportunities are presented without saying my having to say "Ok Tom - now its your turn" (which would be naff) or "Do you mind me asking what you expect to gain from hacking X? - I'm trying to understand your mindset here" (which is getting old).

4). I can't find what type of gun is used to fire a Narcoject round. Is it a special 'narc'gun? or just a type of chemical ammo for a regular pistol which I assume should then be fitted with a silencer?

Thats all I can think of right now (although I'm sure there is more). Any help is very gratefully appreciated.

.M.