Help 2 questions

[TheMunk]

1. I simply can't find documentation on the difference between a solver simulating collision or particle collision.
   Can you refer me to where I can read more about this? - sorry, already found it: http://obi.virtualmethodstudio.com/tutor...gence.html - follow up: is it possible to skip particle collision and friction if simulating collision and friction? what are the tradeoffs here?
   
2. If I want to make a loop which looks more like the end of a lasso than a complete circle, how would i go about it? using particle constraints to attach 3 particles together with orientation locked? Or is there a simpler way?