Setting a scene and more lightbusiness

Lights are a tricky thing, there is a lot to do to get some decent results. I want to make an beveled box, that sits right on the ground. So there would be a small shadow indicating its contact to the ground. Though I didn't manage, I went forward.

I now found this raytrace options, so that would make the shadow break the further you get from the object. I managed to use it a bit, but didn't quite get good results. It almost seemed there was not enough resolution in the shadow.. but adding more didn't help either.

Also did the basic modelling part, learned to make a shelf for my most used tools, and learned to modify objects. What I didn't quite learn is how to get the stuff away from my objects! The menus on the right side are still confusing me, if I make a something, it's not just the something that appears on the menus. Shaders, and what else..
But! Hopefully they all will make some sense soon.

scene with a ball!