Three Quick N00b questions Options

[CraftZero]

1) When creating characters, I know that your gear is limited by 12 availability - but what about if an item is restricted or forbidden? Can starting characters take those items? Is it common to have a houserule that bars them, or perhaps limits them? (as in, you may have 1 "F" item at char gen, for example).

2) Commlink Question A: I'm not entirely sure I get these. How does one 'navigate' through the various menus? Even while shopping, for example? I know that the user sees images, but how do they manipulate them? I remember a small part in SR4A that mentions a scroll-wheel on the commlink itself? *Really?* I would think that there would have been advances in 70 odd years - looking something like in Minority Report when he uses his hands to select/move/etc.

3) Commlink Question B: When you're having a conversation with someone, can the people around you hear what you're saying? Obviously, I would think that the person on the other end is for your ears only, right. Also, is subvocalization technology used to respond? Is it that good in 2073?

Thanks for your answers, folks!