Cartlidge1000Marra MorganJemine CaesarPip management is very important in combat. You can often find that you're changing pips constantly, depending on the situation.
This!
Your pips should never be in a fixed position in combat - when in pursuit or maneuvering, full ENG; when under fire, full SYS; when attacking, full WEP.
Flying shieldless with a hull-tank has obvious drawbacks, but it also has advantages, one of which is easier pip-management - I find that I can leave it at 0-4-2 most of the time.
On the inverse of this, turrets may put out less damage than their counterparts (and their aim is sometimes questionable) but if used properly they allow me to focus more on my systems and weapons, since I don't have to outmaneuver my target.
That depends on the ship you're in and the opponent you're fighting. My big problem with turrets and gimballs is that they can be jammed and are coupled to your sensors. They also have a higher energy draw than fixed afaik.