1- If there are any commands that you want to have run automatically when smartcoin starts, create a file "init.sh" in the smartcoin directory. Then you can add your commands that you want run on startup. I.e.:
Doesn't aticonfig require root privileges? In other words, doesn't he need to use sudo with the password in plaintext in the init script?
Nope I run my scripts as a non root user and it includes setting the fan speeds and over clocking my cards
user@linuxcoin:~/scripts$ DISPLAY=:0 aticonfig --od-setclocks=930,1000
Default Adapter - AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series
New Core Peak : 930
New Memory Peak : 1000
user@linuxcoin:~/scripts$