I got started recently and am loving the swipe features.

swipe from off screen does commands:
FROM TOP:
from off screen top to the middle lets you do a split screen - if already in split screen, touch an empty split screen to open a new app in that side.
(To close the split screen just drag the center piece all the way left or all the way right - You can do an intermediate size and it seems like most apps have a *small* size or a full size to run
from off screen top to the bottom closes whatever app you're currently in

FROM RIGHT:
From off screen right towards middle brings you to the start shortcut or *important* the settings for the APP YOU'RE IN

FROM LEFT:
From off screen left to the middle tabs through your previously used apps.
from off screen out towards the middle, and back to the left opens up a "Currently open apps". You can drag these apps to the middle and maximize by dragging to the top, or drag to the left or right section to split screen it.

FROM BOTTOM:
from off screen bottom up brins up the in-app menu. Some apps have the same function for from top screen down too, which can be irritating if you're trying to close the app - the mail app is still buggy this way)

Search classic start in the app store and it will pull up an actual old school start menu program that you can install.

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When you install an app, it will show up if you go all the way to the right in the windows 8 start "splash" and then touch the "all apps" button - it's an all inclusive list that you can then pin to the main one - so if you install chrome manually via the internet (which you can still do when in desktop mode) you can pin it there to the windows 8 mode start menu.

Everything else is pretty self explanatory, but feel free to ask if you have a more specific question.