1.

Use this great plugin https://elgg.org/plugins/385116

2.

If i understand you correctly you want to hide some items on the top bar where there are only names?
This is called site menu

The menu with icons on the right is the topbar menu.

Firstly, there is this plugin. it will help to minimize your panel.

Also, you can try to customize site menu with Menu items tool on /admin/configure_utilities/menu_items page.

Finally, if you need advanced customization, try this plugin.

Awesome thanks for the quick reply!!

Yes I meant the site menu.

One last question. when editing lagnuage files. Does it make sense to create my own plugin to override plugin language files? If so how can I est do this, is there a simple sample plugin?

I don't want to start changing language files to just to find all changes are lost when a plugin is updated.

Thanks again.

One last question. when editing lagnuage files. Does it make sense to create my own plugin to override plugin language files? If so how can I est do this, is there a simple sample plugin?

No makes no sense

I don't want to start changing language files to just to find all changes are lost when a plugin is updated.
 

Agreed, use the plugin Nicolai recommended https://elgg.org/plugins/385116

No, you don't need to do that.

But first test the plugin and learn about Internationalization in Elgg

Gotcha, souds pretty simple thanks a lot!!!!

So the plugins help a ton.  I have only two more questions.

I like the standard menu a bit better currently. however the top menu items (account, messages, settings etc.) are above the site menu items in the mobile menu view (hamburger menu). Is it possible to push the site menut items to show before the top menu items on mobile?

Also when using menu builder, how can I add my own menu titles for different languages? I.e If I name one menu item mysefl (let's say Artist), how can I make it the translated word in German or any other language?
Thanks

I like the standard menu a bit better currently. however the top menu items (account, messages, settings etc.) are above the site menu items in the mobile menu view (hamburger menu). Is it possible to push the site menut items to show before the top menu items on mobile?

not without creating your own plugin that does this for you.

Also when using menu builder, how can I add my own menu titles for different languages? I.e If I name one menu item mysefl (let's say Artist), how can I make it the translated word in German or any other language?

No the menu items created with Menu Builder don't support translations.

So I would have to do both with my own plugin?
Most likely a theme plugin is that right?
If I like the main theme could I just copy that and into my own plugin and adjust what I need to adjust?

Ok so I am abel to turn on the theme sandbox or copy it and make it my own.
What file do I have to add to update css? I know there are views but I'm not too familair with the files and its structure.

Thanks.