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I'm not sure that I have much useful advice about your original post, ficbot, since opinions vary so much, and so much seems to be a matter of taste. I really don't think there are any clear cut right or wrong answers to your question.
For what it is the the main principles I work by are
- ebooks are not print books, and should not be bound by the same conventions
- when making an ebook from a print book there is no need or virtue in trying to make it a facsimile.
- one can learn a lot from looking at other peoples' ebooks and using what seems to work.
For your specific questions:
1) If it's a public domain print book then copyright does not apply. I generally make a title and copyright page to the effect that the ebook is the MobileRead edition and may be freely used for non-commercial purposes.
2) Put the information anywhere it makes sense to you. I generally put it in both the original post and in a colophon at the end of the ebook - where I also put a brief description of the methods I use to make the ebook, that it validates, and what ereaders I have tested it on.
3) I can't offer any advice on Smashwords; I simply don't know.
4) I suggest that you do whatever makes sense for you, remembering that the people who read the ebook will be used to 'modern' punctuation. As long as one maintains the author's words and sense I see no harm in simplifying his or her punctuation. For what it is worth I detest mdashes, and never use them.
I hope this helps.
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