1. SH4 has a Support folder that has a "SilentHunter4 Manual" pdf file in it, for what that is worth. Some mods will include a similar document in their Support folder to help guide a player through their modded version of the game.
2. The gauges can be rather cumbersome, and do depend upon the display screen resolution you use. A 1920x1080 is good to have nicely proportioned gauges. Many laptops though have 1600x900, and with that, they are basically constantly in your way. Just make certain your game's Options - Graphic Settings for the screen resolution are set to match what your Windows display settings are. That is the most efficient setting. Also, refer to the "SH4_Q-Ref_Card_Back.jpg" and "SH4_Q-Ref_Card_Front.jpg" files in the game's root folder for keyboard images that show what keys to press for the various functions. Some of the modders will update those for their mod. For a quick way to minimize the bottom menu bar and gauges in the game, use the <Del> key on the NumPad. Hit that again for it to re-appear. If you have a laptop, I don't know what combo you could use for that... ??
3. Crew fatigue is basically non-existent in SH4, though it really should not be. The only way to induce crew fatigue is to leave them at Battle Stations too long, which the first symptom is generally a "cannot comply" message, not something sensible like "We're about to drop from exhaustion, skipper!"... but anyway, the XO has the crew automatically rotate through its shifts while you run the boat. You can stay out for the duration of the war like that, which they really should start having issues with morale if out more than 60 days, or not sinking anything - maybe even mutiny if the ice cream machine goes empty (sorry, CenPac joke)...
