Any question answered...

So, this wheel...

Its straight as an arrow. He's used shitting silver nipples which im not overly pleased about as i took it in with black ones. I can live with the colour, but is there any way to tell if they're brass or alu other than bite them?

Also, you can see on the hub the direction it was originally laced. Its now been laced in the opposite direction once rebuilt. I always thought you were supposed to go in the same direction?

Please advise, Cyclists of the Internet.

bueller?