I want to create Alt avatars but always step into some problems.

I have questions like.
Does the mesh need to be only tri's?or can I work in quads?
With what do I use to animate?
Do I have to make bones,skin it.build helpers and use IK solvers?
The UVW's.Everytime I try to use a UVW unwrap modifier on a mesh,it doesnt unwrap it correctly.I was thinking maybe its a mesh problem.

If you could help it would be very much appreciated

This is what im working on at the moment.Started yesterday


Ya I know!
Its a long way from done.

ILL EVEN WRITE A TUT FOR CREATING ALT AVATARS WHEN IM DONE AND HAVE AL THE INFO I NEED!