host files?

Hi, I was thinking of using the MVPS hosts file on my desktop pc at home as an extra layer of protection.

1. how often do they update the hosts file?
2. is it a good idea to use hostsman to automatically update it for me?
any other information would be useful

3. i just downloaded hostsman and of course it says the mvps hosts file isnt installed whihc is correct since i havent installed it yet. can i get hostsman to install it? or do i have to install it then get hosts man to update it?

maybe be a stupid question but, 4.what does enable and disable hosts mean in hostsman?
5. what do i need hostsman in the tray for?
6. does enable hosts mean it will use the updated hosts file to resolve hostnames and block the stuff in the hostsfile?
7. why does it say on the MVPS website that with big hostfiles in xp it might slow it down so put DNS startup service type to manual? is this similar to the enable hosts in hostsman?

thanks in advance
lodore