Basics of Pasta

ok no its no hidden secret that i lurrvv pasta. there have been a coupla recipes of pasta on my blog .but what abou the basics ? how does one get started on the preperations of pasta?
ok here goes:
in order to boil any form of pasta( on the gas obviously, i use the microwave on in absolute emergency cases), in a vessel start boiling some water with salt, one the water reaches a luke warmish temperature, add the pasta u want, and then add a few drops of oil from the top(this prevents the pasta from sticking and becming gooy), boil the pasta for a few minutes until done. remove from the gas , let cool for about 10 mins .Then, put it in vegetable/food stainer and then pour a bottle of cold/room temperature water over it and leave it for atleast a few minutes before cooking.
2. always boil/ cook pasta on a medium flame while using the gas, in the micro do it on medium high for boiling and cooking.
3. Nobody would tell you this but using a combination of olive oil and butter to cool up the main dish always makes it richer and tastier.
4. The secret of the taste of pasta lies in the herbs and sauce used and not in the shape of the pasta.
5. Rosemary and Thyme add that extra body to any pasta sauce
6. A combination od American Sweetcorn and Basil with macaroni in white sauce is the easiest pasta dish to make.
7. Cheddar, Parmesan, Mozzarella are the best cheeses to use in pasta , you could combine all three and make a three cheese sauce ( recipe out soon)
8. Pasta is the general name given to a group of foods made of of whole grain cereals, originating in italy, some popular kinds of pasta are :spagetthi,fusili, penne,macaroni,fettucine(evey town and village in italy has its own unique style and shape of pasta)
9. Pastas made out of various kinds of Lentils was first popular in Pondicherry India .
10. The best accompaniment to pasta is red wine, in case you dont drink just like me, try it with a glass of chilled apple juice or an interesting mixed fruit mocktail..