Hello,
A tutorial for setting up the column menu is found here:
http://www.shape5.com/demo/emma_smooth/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=113The advanced parameters is found on the right side of the screen when editing the module in the backend of Joomla.
Width is a bit of a question anymore, most people are using widescreen now, which wasn't the case a year or two ago. I personally don't make sites wider than 1000px.