If I define a NSString with retain, then call alloc on it, do I need to release twice? And how necessary is the self. in front of public variables?

Yes, that will leak because it's overretained. The four standard correct solutions are.

I also recommend taking a look at ARC, which will become very common in the near future, and will take care of almost all of these issues for you.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.