So, for the old vets... two questions (and please any others who grabbed this feel free to pile on with yours as well!).

1) When I first open my map, I get a nice zoomed in view, that shows the compass, my immediate area, a few boxes for my known locations, etc... and then it rapidly zooms out to a much less useful "macro" view. Aside from clicking to get the the general journal entry "map" is there any way to get back to the zoomed in map that first displays when I hit M?

2) When I have my lighter out and open my journal, I can see a dimly lit journal. But when I have a torch, my journal is totally black - is this a glitch? Or is there a way to drop a torch (even if it's a "stick" torch), look at my journal with the lighter and then pick the torch back up? Or is the answer to this "Oh my god, what the HELL are you doing out at night, idiot!" ;)

Thanks in advance!

To answer my own question #1 - RIGHT CLICK! ;)

Replacing one stupid map question with another one - is there a subtle hint to tell where I am on the map when I load it by hitting M? Or is it up to me to remember more or less where I am? Also am I talking to myself? ;)

LOL and I love that I'm totally turning this thread into an echo chamber - maybe I should play the game before I ask more questions ;)

The way to find out WHERE I am on the map is to use cartography... that's... kinda the point of the game ;)

Just have to chime in and say I completely agree. What a great game for such a small price. Ive only been playing it for 2 days, and I had no idea I would enjoy it this much.

Seems like you already answered your own questions, so ill just leave it at that ;)

By the time I figured out my third question within about 5 minutes of playtime, it almost became a joke on myself to post here, so I had to keep it up!

And ya, the game is wonderful. I've been playing it the last several days and it gets better and more beautiful every day. As a disclaimer: I'm NOT an adventure game guy. I'm NOT an exploration game guy. But this one strips exploration down to such a pure form it can't help but be compelling. It's rare that I play a game and I FEEL like I'm doing what my on screen avatar is doing - this one I'm totally in. As I nervously glance down at my compass, hoping that I'll be able to identify a landmark or stumble on a basecamp before nightfall it feels like I'm there, realistically exploring this strange island. Great game, what a surprise and I'm glad I was curious enough about it a few other times that I picked it up. My only regret is that I didn't buy another copy to gift out to someone :(

Actually I DO have one more question... I just got stuck out at night (actually, I'm ALT-Tabbing as we speak to pass the time ;) ). My guy won't pull out his lighter. Actually I don't think he ever has, maybe only once or twice briefly. Any ideas? Right now I'm just passing a rainy night pressed up against a tree, but my lighter would be nice! :) And no, I didn't grab a torch in time.

Actually I had that problem once. I was sleeping until night to search for the algae plant and it was pitch black when when i got up. Unfortunately the only way i could fix it was by reloading the savegame so you might be screwed. :(

The good/bad thing is you are much more likely to kill yourself during night then getting eaten by Kitty :)

Maybe stating the obious here, but at nightfall I'd recommend to return to nearest shelter and sleep.
If it's still dark, sleep again. The avatar doesen't "oversleep", so he's up when the sun sets, and you have a nice timespan to explore. I'd recommend plotting the coastline because then you can always permanently "reveal" a little more about the map and there are often markpoints to triangulate with (the heads out in the ocean). And most importantly, shacks to sleep in.
Always run a little cautious and backpedal the movement long prior you sensing the next abyss, so he stops in time, but I guess you got that down so far. Your pursuer doesen't follow you for long (only so long as you hear the "heartbeat"), so keep a nice balance between running away and not running a slope down too fast.
Keep at it, the storyline path is not so difficult to follow.
I will not spoil a thing. All I'm saying is: I envy you, that you play this for the first time. Good luck!