when shifting i always depress the clutch fully, but i've heard you dont have to fully depress the clutch to shift. Is this better or worse on the car, and how do i know how far is adequate to push in the clutch when shifting??

you stole someones screen name.....

you dont have to press all the way down, you just need to go down to the shift point. after driving for a while you will get used to it. one way of finding it is puting ur car in first gear and letting off the clutch very slowly w/out any gas. you car will then start rolling very slowly, right there, thats ur shift point.