Hi Sun Surfer, glad I could help hopefully I can help some more
to answer your questions.
1. No the nook only does protrait and not landscape.
2. Yes, the LCD screen does go to sleep when you are reading. you can set the timer to 10 secs., 30 secs or 1 mins. And when you need to wake up the screen you just tap the little n just above the screen. It is during its sleep process that you can use the LCD screen (while its black) to finger swipe to turn the pages. I love the finger swipe.
also to add to the point the Nook device itself is an Open device, not only just ePub but Adobe PDF and DRM PDF from other sources.
3. Yes, the nook does have a web browser. You may have read some older reviews, when the Nook first came out it did not have a web browser. but in April it came out with a firmware update (v1.3) that added a web browser and really enhanced it's page turning speed and book opening and downloading performance. I find web surfer is not going to be my cup of tea on it but it's not bad.. My favorite websites like espn etc I use their mobile websites on it. then it's actually pretty decent. But it's biggest asset for the web browser is to connect to wi fi spots that require a "sign in" or a "I Agree" web connection.
4. Wi Fi only vs Wi Fi & 3G? Hmmm thats a toughy. It's basically going to depend on how much you think or may want to be able to buy books, newspapers or magazines on the fly. It's tough, Personally for my likes , I like having the 3G. I like to be able to download a newspaper no matter where I am. I also like browsing for book at work ( did I say that out loud
) and then turning on my nook on the way home and have my book there waiting for me. But that's me. My wife on the other hand would have bought the wi fi only in a heart beat over the 3G.
but basically the difference is with wi fi only you can only download wirelessly when you are connected to a wi fi hotspot, either at home or when you are out either at work, cafe's, hotels or internet cafes etc.
With the 3G you can download wirelessly no matter where you are as long as you have 3G recepetion. So you can buy on the fly more easily.
but also remember you can only surf the web via the wi fi connection, which yes is a much much better web connection than 3G, so much faster. And also remember mobie websites work much better than regualar websites.
.
Also a little tip for when you are at barnes and noble getting a hands on. Spend some time with it. don't feel rushed. It does take a little learning curve to get the navigation down and the "feel" for the screen. Don't push and hold down your finger, just a nice simple tap . Also it doesn't ahve that ultra high paced reaction you would find on an iPhone or another smart phen. The concept is the same with the touch screen and finger swiping navigation but it is two technologies handshaking with each other.(LCD and eInk) so it's a tap and "tadda" tap and tadda. It's still fast and response is great but LOL it's no ipone 4. but it's really nice and once you get it down it is rather smooth. I simple love it.
I really do.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have anymore questions and of course the Nook subforum people are great and are very knowledgable