I'm so impressed with all the information here!  This turned into one of the better threads in the forum since I've been a member here.  A showcase of knowledge.

I wouldn't even have noticed those extra points, heddheld!  Great eyes.  That kind of thing could really screw up a mesh later down the road, so now I know if I see that kind of thing in a mesh, I need to stop... drop,... and roll! hahaha  Good thing to keep a eye on, because it can happen so easily by accident.  Especailly those of us with arthritic fingers, like me.  Sometimes the keyboard shortcuts take a toll on my fingers, and I accidentally press a button twice without realising it.  Don't get old, kids!