Nix,

The windowed mode is screwy because they're not setting it up to allow a mode for Widescreen monitors. Kind of foolish since thats what most gamers use now, I've sent in a few requests for them to adjust that and I'd say anyone else with the same issue should do the same. Hopefully they'll add a widescreen option to the windowed mode soon.

For public quests, you just have to enter the area. But they really do require a group to complete. You can farm the influence though and get the rewards from it, just won't be able to get the chest loot from beating the boss without a group.

The friends list is in the Social menu. The tab for it is in the upper left corner of the chat windows, the multiple heads. Its kind of hard to access in windowed mode for some reason.

I'll write up my opinion of the game later, kind of tired right now. Just spent 6 hours doing Tor Anroc, the Elven tier 3 "scenario", with a buddy of mine.