questions on Allen & Heath PA28 mixer

[slash81291]

ok, first off my goals are to use this for recording/practicing/gigging.

My recording is computer based, so what do i need to connect this to a computer?

What comments are there on this board inparticular? good? bad? is the PA ok?
How many speakers can i plus into this that will be audience directed? How many Monitors can i plug into it for musicains. How would i go about using one of these for overdubbing? say i have like 15 channels already laid down and that channel is tooken up/ could i use other channels on their own to lay over the other tracks? Im a noob so be easy on me! lol.


last thing is that i intend to go instruments-> (either dirct or miked)-> A&H PA 28 -> something to change the signals to digital??-> computer

what else would i need? what would i have to get in terms of cables. besides having Mics and xlr cables? what is a cable snake? or one of those ports they have between rooms?

thanks!

Mike