1. What is the latest version of bitcoin?
http://www.bitcoin.orgVersion 0.3.23
2. What is the latest version of Phoenix miner? (I'm running 1.47)
Version 1.50:
http://svn3.xp-dev.com/svn/phoenix-miner/files/ A. How do I know it's a safe version? (Not posted from some scammer)
Download from the above repository, that's the official one linked from the Bitcoin Wiki at
http://www.bitcoin.org3. How do I know I'm connected to the bitcoin network?
Bitcoin is not firewalled, I'm generating, only 1-2 connections, but my blocks do not change?
You know you're connected, because you have connections. If you don't have any connections, you're not connected. You really should have more than 2, not sure why that's all you're seeing, could be a firewall issue, check here:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/FAQ#Do_I_need_to_configure_my_firewall_to_run_bitcoin?4. How long does it take the addnode to catch up on blocks?
A. How do I know the addnode thing is working?
It can take several hours to get the entire blockchain. You should fire up your client and then go to bed, in the morning you should hopefully have the entire blockchain downloaded.
5. Why can't I get my BC client to receive coins without doing addnodes or something else?
Not sure. However, in order to "receive" coins, you have to have downloaded the block from the blockchain that includes your transaction. This is only necessary to actually see a balance in your client. You can receive coins to an address without being online or having the client running, but to use the coins received, you'll need to have a client that has access to your wallet.dat.
6. How come on one computer I see Generat bitcoin option but on other computers I don't have that option?
The ability to Generate Bitcoin was removed from the later versions of the client. I'm assuming not all of your computers are running the latest version of the client.
7. How do I know I have my computer on the right port?
Not sure what you mean about your computer being on the right port.
Most of your questions can be answered here:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/FAQ