Does that mean it sees and can talk to the dish but isn't getting a signal?
Yes.
Same result. Do I need a meter? How would I use one. Is this an acceptable meter?
You don't "need" one, but it definitely helps, especially on your first few times. Eventually if you do it enough you can almost eyeball it. Never used that model of meter so I cant vouch for it.
What is skew? Is that the angle off level side to side?
Yes. Think of it this way: Skew is the curvature of the constellation belt the satellites are on, so depending on your location this will change the angle they hit the reflective part of the dish. If you look at the back of the 1000.2 you will notice the skew bolts and a scale going from 40 to 140 degrees, you need to make sure this is correct for your current location or you will not catch all three satellites. Azimuth is the direction you are pointing, and elevation is self explanatory (how high or low in the sky you are pointing).
Once you get your skew and elevation locked in (and really important, have the mast level), you want to start scanning left and right until you find something. It is recommended you start from the South-West direction and make your way South slowly to avoid picking up the satellites in the wrong order/LNB (I think? someone correct me if it was South to South-West). For this part it can help to have the meter you posted, or a friend/spouse/whatever stand in front of the receiver with the point dish screen from earlier (the one with the Conn. and crosses, home x3, then number 3), tuner set to 1, satellite 119 and transponder 21. Once you get a signal, adjust for the highest amount of signal you can (that specific transponder should go up to around 75-80, you realistically only need about 50) then run another check switch test (again, home x3, 3 then 5 or if you are on the signal screen then just press 5) and see if you have more satellites.
While I can now do it in a manner of minutes (takes me longer to get the mast plumb), first time I aligned a dish on a tripod it took me around 3 hours, so just be patient. My mistake was, you guessed it, not being on a level surface. I also never use a meter unless I'm aligning something other than Dish.
