I've never owned a dividend paying stock before or even paid attention to dividends. Is there a general rule of thumb regarding what percentage of earnings goes to shareholders this way? 

As I mentioned on SI it would be nice if there were a one time special dividend paid out to long time and patient shareholders several months from now, once they get a handle on just how much revenue and profit will come from PPE. I don't think ZGS' cash needs are that great right now and anticipated profits in the short term seem rather healthy.

I'm not demanding or even expecting that and if management deems it more important for the company's future  expansion plans to hold on to the funds then I'm all in favour of that.