Thank you for these tips. However, would you go back to square one for the benefit of newbies?
1) I do not know how to post a blog of my own, as I only see a window for inserting the title, but no window for inserting text. Obviously I am stupid, as all of you have figured it out. I'll happily accept that judgment, if someone will please give me a how-to checklist for posting an original blog -- as my requests to TPM for info have gone unanswered. Does it matter that I use a Mac G4?
2) I decided to change my avatar and thought I could just insert another one. The result, however, was that the original image vanished, a notice of "no memory" appeared, and now, apparently, you see a weird box with an X in it.
Thanks for your help and sorry this response was all about me.

Rec'd.

thanks ben.

Would you or anyone else mind giving me a few beginner tips for using the bold, italics, etc. features, as well as highlighting text and turning long links into one-word links?

I'm used to using Microsoft word-- I highlight a sentence, click on bold and presto, its bold. Is it supposed to work like that here?

The whole process of converting a link into one word is beyond me right now.

I know nothing about HTML tags. I have a Mac laptop.

Back again, with apologies.
Thanks to you, avatar replaced. But still no apparent box to insert text on a blog, though I tried your advice to "tab and type." No result.
I use Safari. Is that what is making the text insert window invisible? And where is the window? Is it right under the title insert window? That is, between the title window and the options for bold, italic, etc.? Or is it between those options and the "Submit" button? When I type, I cannot even see a cursor, or place marker, much less text. Any suggestions? (Other than getting a different computer.)

okay, I get the link thing now.

thanks.

Now there's a different way to do it when I'm typing a blog entry?

Aha! There is a way to use apostrophes in blog post titles without disabling the previous/next buttons.

okay Ben, if you have a minute I have just one more question.

When I type in the box for my blog post, those functions don't seem to work.

I highlight a word, click bold, and it doesn't turn bold. Is this an invisible tag that doesn't show up until after you press submit?

Also, converting a link to one word when I'm writing a blog-- what are the steps?

-- copy paste link from another site in blog post, highlight, click link, enter short word? Click submit?

I've got it:) Bold, block quotes, links, italics. (much easier to do in my blog post. But It's like long division in comments.)

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ben, Hillarym99 and all those who helped make this possible. You believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself and I'm forever in your debt:)

Thanks, Ben!

I am so saving this link.

Thanks, Ben! We ALL appreciate your taking the time to do this! Now when you figure out how to edit, we'll all be your slaves.

Good Job!

Ben, this is great.

Will the blog text box let me cut and paste from word without freaking out. I had heard a while back that was not the thing to do. Has it changed?

I have heard, though I've not tested, that you can use html tags created in a notepad document and paste it into your blog post box, thereby eliminating the conflict of formatting in word. Is that true? Or do we have to use the buttons on the screen for formatting?

Ben? You rock.

Thanks for this post Ben, most thoughtful!!

In order to avoid looking like a total ass-hat, always check your post carefully for unpaired and unclosed HTML tags. Failure to do so can result in the dreaded "poetry effect".

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/06/yesterday-was-the-day-the-chan.php#comment-2886683