Airport time capsule, add Airport extreme for stronger signal

Question

I have a new Airport Time Capsule set up and running.  My old Airport Extreme (5th gen) is sitting unused.  I'd like to hook it up because I can't get a USB drive to work off of the TC (according to posts here it requires a powered hub). 
I've read posts about setting up more than one Extreme, but feeling overwhelmed by all the terms.  Also, much of the advice, including articles here, pre-dates the TC.  From what I've read, the version of Airport Utility makes a difference too.  I have the latest, 6.3.1.
First question:  Can somebody explain, or point me to current articles, the differences between hardwiring (ethernet) the old AE to 1) the TC or 2) my wired Internet router (Verizon).  A third option is, I think, is to set up the old AE stand-alone, connecting via wifi only, in a different part of the house. 
Here's what I'm trying to accomplish.  I live in a big old house with internal brick walls.  I want to strengthen the signal throughout the house.  One network, one password, security not a huge problem because we're rural. 
I'm all Apple (Windows is banned from my house), and all software and OS up to date (10.8.4; I forget what cat it is). 
Second question:  depending on the answer to the first, am I looking to do an extended network, bridge network, hidden network (what is that?), roaming?  I see these terms but am unclear on the distinctions.  I'm sure many lurkers will have the same question.  
Thanks,
Steve

Answer 1

Hi Again.. !!
There are two basic methods of connection.. wired by ethernet.. much the superior method to be used in every case possible.. (less gremlins!!). Even homeplug (EOP we call them here).. adapters are a better alternative to..
Extend wireless. This is apple terminology for what everyone else calls wireless repeater.
Wireless repeater as the name suggests.. picks up the wireless signal from a wireless source and retransmits it.. in the process it slows all transfers by half.. or more.. so it is inefficient.. only use where wire cannot be run.
Now to your specific question.
First question:  Can somebody explain, or point me to current articles, the differences between hardwiring (ethernet) the old AE to 1) the TC or 2) my wired Internet router (Verizon).  A third option is, I think, is to set up the old AE stand-alone, connecting via wifi only, in a different part of the house. 
If the verizon router is the main router of the network.. with the TC plugged in and working in bridge mode.. then you can plug the old AE into TC or verizon router.. it will make no difference. The TC is working as a switch and AP only.. so plug into one or the other both are handled by the verizon router which does not know or care where the devices are plugged in. There is one consideration.. the TC and AE are gigabit.. the verizon is likely to be 100mbit.. so if you can plugging into the TC will provide gigabit link. Only relevant to ethernet connected computer on the AE and TC talking to each other.
AE stand alone is useless to you.. in stand alone you connect to it but have no connection to the rest of your network or the internet.
Second question:  depending on the answer to the first, am I looking to do an extended network, bridge network, hidden network (what is that?), roaming?  I see these terms but am unclear on the distinctions.  I'm sure many lurkers will have the same question.  
If you connect by ethernet you set up roaming.
See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
If by extend wireless you simply set the extend.. it is by its very nature nothing but a repeater so must use the same wireless name and password etc.