Module development and code questions

I would like to use this module but it doesn't seem to work with 4.4.1 has anyone been able to make this one work?

http://drupal.org/project/rating

I've just installed the Navigation module and when try to access the config screen for the first time I get this error. What's my next move, please (very new to drupal & php)

in Image module, a link appears (marvin theme) to "my image galley" but no images I've uploaded appear in it, nor is there any visible way to add images to it.

does anyone know if this module will be converted to work with 4.4?

I'm looking for some tips and guidance on detailed steps to properly use branching on modules (and themes). Turns out I've been doing it wrong (using tags instead of branches). I've looked through the CVS FAQ and developer's section of the Drupal handbook but am still a bit unclear.

I am trying to make a script I wrote in the past into a module. This script accesses a database other than the one that Drupal uses.

For my first attempt I got an error:

Fatal error: insert command denied to user: 'floraforumread@newdelhi.flora.ca' for table 'watchdog' query: INSERT INTO watchdog ...etc...