- A Fork is different than an ALTchain right, sometimes I hear people discussing altchains as a fork and it's confusing.
Unless it uses a completely different codebase built from the ground up to be nothing like Bitcoin, in most cases an Alt-chain (or Alt-coin) can be considered to be a fork.
- Is there a guide on how to edit the source code, compile it, and start a new blockchain (more interested in learning the process then trying to compete with established coins)
Not that I'm aware of, but the process shouldn't be very difficult. At it's simplest level, all you should need to do is create a different genesis block and change the checkpoint to that block. (although it would be a lot less messy if you move it to a different port number and change the IP discovery).
- is there any apps that make easier to pay with bitcoin for iOS (I know there are android wallet apps, but how about iOS)
I'm pretty sure there's a blockchain.info iOS app that will sync with your blockchain.info web hosted wallet if you set one up.
- If did start a new chain, would a basic laptop be able to mine the genesis block without too much trouble?
I'd expect so.
- SO when buying a computer for mining, what's the most important part?
For Bitcoin, or for your imaginary alt-coin?
- Are there online wallets for PPcoin and Litecoin?
None that I'm aware of.
