I want to use hotkeys
 

How do I establish hotkeys for my menu items, as well as set them to run maximized? I couldn't find either of those options in the menu editor.

Try KHotKeys. KControl->System->KHotkeys.

Hi, I'm a dummy in this world, but learning.

Besides previous advise, you can find more features and hot key control in:
Menu -> System -> Configuration -> Configure your Destop (Kconfig ??) -> Accessibility -> Keyboard Shortcuts

It let you to assign hotkeys to Maximize active Window, or Run a program that you've choosen.

Other solution presented before, gives you into mouse movements for going back in Konqueror Window, that it is great for me at this point (I was all my live Windows' user)

Good luck
Jose Miguel

Thank you, sirs...that helped.