sometimes a statement of the obvious is nutritious
My Dear--I encourage you and all other newcomers to give the "Helpful Hints & FAQs - Take 2" for newcomers thread a serious going-over. It may be too much to take in in one session, but you will find it WELL worth your while. It outlines pretty much all of the problems that we oldtimers have run into--the same ones that you are now encountering.

Thanks again to Jo for organizing it. We have taken pains to keep it not only distraction-free, but on the first page of the Index. This is an indication, I think, that we value and welcome people.