> but what does these set/change or affect:
> - stay on the same address
> - stay on the same domain 
> - stay on the same top level domain.

Don't use - these low level settings should not be 
used - prefer to use filters!

> and also are filters parsed from left to right or 
from 
> r to l. like would a filter say   -*.* +*.*  would 
it 
> include everything or exclude.

Include everyting - the most recent filter is always 
prioritary.

Example
-*.gif +*/rose.gif

will exclude ALL gif files, except rose.gif filename.

BUT
+www.foo.com/*.gif -*.gif
will exclude all gif files, because the last filter (-
*.gif) will hide the first one (+www.foo.com/*.gif)