Total Newbie... Thread or Post?

Hello All,
Please forgive my ignorance but are there any instructions on how to use the forum? I don't even know whether I'm submitting this to the proper section.
If not... please excuse me. I'm using a Mac OS X and Firefox browser. Many websites including this one have lots of awful RED highlighting everywhere and I can barely read the words because of it. Is there anything I can do please? Also, I've written an e-book and tried formatting it seven times (.doc) but each time I go to open it, it's reverted back to how it was before I formatted it. The headings and sub headings won't stay as I want them...

We're all noobs at one point
Welcome! Check out the first few threads in the "News and Community Announcements" section--found on the home page. They'll get you started.