Well HI, welcome to the forums ...
1. STEAM: go read this topic (my post especialy) and you'll understand ...
http://forum.esforces.com/showthread.php?t=31233
2. Its a Ladder ... where ppl challenge and play other ppl and get wins and loses ... the loser has to report the game (you need to registed for EL)
3. Please read the flash manual ... its in C:\sierra\half-life\esf it will explain the melee system and stuff ...
Read the stickys and please try to post in the right forum (example this should go in help forum, the mods will be nice and move it for you tho) and dont spam