Well I see you asked 2 questions and yeah, I also see you didn’t get an answer to either one. I think that some people often post and don’t go back or forget that they posted and/or have subscribe shut off. I don’t know if you finally figured it out on your own but if you didn’t the answers are:

“I think that tips like number 1 should also include how to undo that action, otherwise someone like me might have to spend hours trying to get back to normal.”

Continuous pressing of Tab or shift + Tab will toggle the palettes/palette.

For question # 2; when done correctly, pressing Ctrl+Shift+Alt+T will repeat the prior transform so in this instance; moving the dot 30 degrees around the relocated center point will ultimately create a clock face.