Crowdfunding ICO Development Help - Smart Contracts

[VenusianLion]

I'm looking for all possible information on development of Smart Contract app for Crowdfunded ICO.

Example Questions I'm interested in:

1.  Which platform is best going forward? Ethereum or other?
2.  What's the best approach to Smart Contract development? 
3.  Are there any Smart Contract examples out there for ICO crowdfunded apps?
4.  What IDE tools are best?
5.  What needs to be included in the ICO Smart Contract application?
6.  What's the best way to start this, learn the code, best wallets to use, best platform, approaches?

I have technical background, so programming the application would not be difficult for me, but knowing what to program is the hard
part. The "English" part is what I'm missing.

Please point me in the right direction.  I don't mind paying (BTC) for the info is someone is very knowledgeable. 
I need the big picture as well as the details.

Thanks in advance.