Weapons, Armor

[Ben_Albright]

I have some questions about the weapons and armor of morrowind. After reading several posts, it sounds like all the weapon classes are fairly equal, but what are there differences. Is there a difference if i weild a longword and shield and a short sword and shield. About armor, at the initial mechant, chitin stuff seems to be equal in protection to the steel stuff. What is the difference between the Light, Medium and Heavy armors?
Also, does anyone know where there is a list of the weapons/armor/spells in morrowind? (the manuals seems like it is missing some stuff)

[Loredweller]

Due to lack of time only about armor rating aspect this time.
The armor rating depends a lot on your skill with this armor and also on your attribute essential for this armor type (Agility for Light, Endurance for Medium&Heavy), not only on armor quality. The difference in price of armor of the same class would give some insight in armor quality.