Yes using InfoPath on the desktop can be different to viewing a form in a Web page.
If you haven't already publish your form to a Web Part Page.
Conditional formatting until a field is filled out is a great way to go. I really like doing that too.
Why have 2 submit buttons - is one a save button?
It sounds like your switch view rule is after your submit rule. I switch views, then submit the data.
InfoPath is easy with a little practice. It isn't used exclusively with/for SharePoint although that's where most of us use it.
If you haven't already read and go through the Step By Step Book using InfoPath with SharePoint or check out the Lynda.com training videos, they really helped me when I was learning.