No, the text files are still here... deeply hidden in database tables.
You must first convert them before attempting any modding. But there's a trick; you can no longer remove entries, only overwrite them in another file (a pack mod).

Now for your 3 questions, I don't know the how-tos.
I'd tell yo to head for twcenter, post your questions and hope for an answer...

Good luck and long patience, you'll need both.