Question 1
Let's say I have a MIDI file named Jazz.mid. I double click it to open it with SONAR. When SONAR is done loading the file, the MDI window named "Jazz.mid - Track" starts out unmaximized. How can I open a file with the MDI window maximized?
 
Question 2
I create a brand new SONAR project and insert a VST instrument as a Simple Instrument Track. I press Alt+3 to load the Piano Roll View. The Piano Roll View now shows at the bottom of the screen taking up about 1/4th the screen height whilst the Track Manager Window remains open and takes up the remaining 3/4ths of the screen height. This happens for the Step Sequencer View, the Matrix View, the Staff View and the Event List View as well. How can I open these windows maximized? I am using the default out-of-the-box settings and the tabs for these windows appear at the bottom of the screen. By double clicking them, they may be maximized. I would like to know how to open them maximized without having to double click them.

Find the divider between the Track View and all the other views and drag upwards to maximise it.
 
Now you can hit D to toggle back & forth between Track View and the multidock.

That has the same effect as double clicking the tab to maximize it. Are there any globals settings that make the views start out maximized?

I find the behavior slightly weird myself. If you press Shift+D it will maximize.

In X3 it would always open full screen, but ever since the new Sonar line it's opened this way and I've found it very annoying myself

RSMCGUITAR
I find the behavior slightly weird myself.

TranceCanada
I've found it very annoying myself

As do I. When I undock the browser, the window is as tiny as it can be, only showing a piece of the title bar and the minimize, maximize, close controls.