So, I've added an obscene amount of items to my queue. At least, the number makes it seem that way. What exactly does this number account for? Because, I don't think I've ever seen it go down.

Does it only count things you've added through the queue page? Also, does it go down when you've "finished" with a word?

I'm just wondering if I should try to slow down the rate at which I add new words to the thing. Also, is there a simple way to view the list of words added via queue? Especially if you can view them in order.

The number at the top of the queue takes into account not just individual words, but how many ways you study that word.

So if you add 苹果，and are studying writing, tones and definitions, than that will show up as 3, not 1. Hence why you have a silly large number at the top.

As for your other questions, they're going to be replacing the queue with a list at some point. It's a bit limited at the moment.

Based on my experience, I would suggest slowing down the rate at which you add new words. On my first Skritter excursion, I was very aggressive on adding new words (I was living in China at the time, and thought it appropriate). However, the number of items to study became overwhelming, and after a while I invoked the 'Save Me' function and started over. Now - using lists as they recommend - I'm taking it more slowly, and the whole experience is much better.

@KenM the queue is not the same thing as the items under study. You can add as many items to the queue as you want and it doesn't mean they get added immediately to the words you're studying. That rate is controlled by the adding speed and the green "add" button.