Can you transfer any type of files? If not, what kind of files can you transfer? for example, I want to be able to post pictures on my website so I zipped them up first. or would i have to unzip them and standardize them into jpg, gif, bmp? thanks.

you should transfer the files to the webserver/site in an unzipped format (individual files).

yup, you can transfer jpg, bmp, gif, etc. take note to watch your quota requirements, and that you dont accidentally go over. you can view this information as soon as you log in to cpanel (www.yourdomain.com/cpanel), on the left hand side.