2) I developed a quite potent fire lighter by dipping cotton wool into molten silicon candle wax.
aka make a candle <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> other options include stealing a cigerete off your brother(i don't smoke and did this to p*** him off, ******* didn't notice, see signiture on that one) and opening it so the tabaco is lose, makes some pretty good tinder. careful prep is required though, its not very hot or long burning.
trick with tinder is to make one part as flamable as possable and the other larger part as slow burning as possable whilst still been able to light a fire.