Mango Advise Please...

I'm hoping there are some fruit buffs out there that can help me out.  I love mangos and am trying to buy them more often at the store.   My problem is I think I'm clueles on many fronts.

Ripeness:  I apparently usually buy and/or eat my mangos overripe.  They're typically mushy, gooey and sticky (but delicious!) by the time I go to eat them.  I find that only a small part on the outside is firmish and the rest is sort of fibrous.  Soooo, I bought a mango yesterday and ate it tonight.  I don't think it was ripe yet.  Can anyone help me out here?  If you can describe what the mango should look and feel like and not compare it to other fruits that would help!

Preparing: How do you prepare the darned things? Do you peel the rind off first and then cut the fruit away from the pit?  I've been cutting the mango off the pit (into quarters usually) and then trying to remove the fruit from the rind. 

It seems like no matter what I do I end up with a sticky gooey mess.  Any advise from experienced mango cooks would be greatly appreciated!