If you want to learn what some of the sliders do then start with
http://www.operationsports.com/forum...d.php?t=493028 by Oraeon1224
My suggestion is to actually try the slider sets already out there as every slider maker here is after the exact same things you are. Seems silly to try to reinvent the wheel with so many lying around.
Most, if not all, the slidermakers actually write up why they made each individual change so you can glean some information there as well.
Try SECElites AA sliders and go from there.