Some Free Company info here. Most we already know from the datamining, but it's good to see official confirmation.

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/sys/community/free-company

Do we all have to select the same Grand Company? If so has the decision been made?
I can't find the answer to this anywhere

No you won't have to select the same as the FC, not sure where I have read it or seen it. I plan on selecting the same just because the FC house will be there eventually and I don't really care about being anywhere different. There's currently a poll going on which GC should our FC should represent:

http://apex.guildwork.com/forum/threads/51c1e76aab0eed5ded4a1bd6-ffxiv-free-company-selection?page=1#5206d192c16e4d21fa501048

Write up on enmity management

http://eorzeareborn.com/enmity/

Did they say when the actual download will be available? Im not talking about the patcher im talking about the actual game. It's been on the maintenance page since they made it available.

Yeah they said either the 14th or 15th.

http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comments/1k3kzs/were_almost_there_getting_the_most_out_of/

some info on chain leveling and power leveling

http://www.dualshockers.com/2013/08/09/the-art-of-making-final-fantasy-xiv-even-more-beautiful/

some more polished pics

http://cdn2.dualshockers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Nique-4-670x418.jpg

mah wallpaper

Reading up on FFXIV and having played in the Phase 3 has made me see how important Grand companies are. They provide you with a chocobo, armor, potions and other useful items. This has led me to devise a plan.
The Objective : To Join a Grand Company as soon as possible
(so as to start earning Grand Company seals which will hold value til end game.)

The Plan :
Choose a class that you want to get to 20 or higher. I chose Conjurer because I like casters and bring a Heal is extremely useful. Once out in the world, grab all quests and level like mad. Do all Dungeons, Guildhests and Main Story Quests as soon as you are the appropriate level or capable to. The idea here is to level to 20 as fast as possible so as to join a Grand company. Once you have joined one you will be able to start earning marks in a variety of ways. Earning these will get you your chocobo, good armor, a possible more.

The Pros : You earn the Grand Company seals early and can hopefully get a chocobo quickly. Also these seals will allow you to earn more rewards from your Grand Company. If you choose to level another class up you may have a small treasure of seals building up by the time it is level 20.

The Cons : You have to choose a Grand Company earlier than others. This can lead to you and your friends being in different ones, and/or you may change your mind and want to change Grand Companies, in which case you lose all your current seals and reducing the effectiveness of this plan.

This is just one of the ideas I've come up with. I'm still deciding which Grand Company I want to join but thought that it could be useful for others to see it. There may be several flaws with this plan, such as the Open Beta level 20 restriction, which might stop you from getting far enough in the Main Story, but if there are others bring them to light. Hope you enjoyed my ramblings.