Well here we go with another question from the newb...

How do I properly post a link, i.e. one that a reader can click on and it opens in a new tab or window?

O, and while I'm being annoying; how do I get emoticons to work? I can't seem to get them in the text.

P.S. I'm using a relatively new Imac, don't bother with the derision, I won't change.

Thanks 

All you should have to do is paste the link in the thread.

If it's not showing up as a link, select the text (hold your left mouse button while dragging across the text you want to select), then click the icon in the toolbar that looks like a piece of chain.  it will open a dialog box where you can past the URL.  This will create a link.  the dialog box has a drop down menu that allows you to select "open in a new window', "open in this window", etc.