9. The cursor

9.1. Is there a way to make the bar cursor a little thicker than one-pixel thick since I lose it?

For a 1 pixel bar cursor, use:

(setq bar-cursor t)

For a 2 pixel bar cursor, use:

(setq bar-cursor 'anything-else)

You can use a color to make it stand out better:

Emacs*cursorColor:	Red

9.2. On the same subject -- is there a way to get back the old "block" cursor where the cursor covers the character in front of the point?

(setq bar-cursor nil)