Category listing in main menu and product ...

Hi,

I need your expert advice again. I have a link in the main menu set up with the category listing and also a listing for the categories in a side module. The side module shows a list of each category and when clicked, then goes to the category with sub-categories and/or products listed. The link in the main menu shows all categories with a picture for each one and when the category there is clicked, it goes to the category listing, as supposed to do. Is there a way I can have the products show up also from the main menu listing? Would I need to do a module as in the side category for it to do that? I'm thinking that's what I might need to do, but not really sure if so and exactly how to link it to main menu.

One further question, when I create a characteristic, is there a maximum number of values I can list in a characteristic?

Thank you once again! I do appreciate very much your time!

Thank you, I think things are working pretty well now! Yay!

One more question, can I set the US as default country for people when they are filling out their shipping information? I thought I had that done, but it seems I don't.

Thanks again, in advance!