Regarding your second request, the template tag, the_excerpt will only show a short excerpt, and you must click on a link to see the full post.
Template_Tags/the_excerpt
You can also use the <!–more–> tag in your post to cut it off where you want. Add with that this plugin
http://wp-plugins.net/plugin/ajaxified-expand-post-now/
and you can expand the post inline using ajax.
http://wp-plugins.net/plugin/IAM/ another similar plugin,
yet another, http://wp-plugins.net/plugin/inap/
There may be more…
1st one:
Maybe one of the Category Visibility variants? http://ryowebsite.com/?p=46
Again on the 2nd one: http://guff.szub.net/2005/02/26/the-excerpt-reloaded/ Set the excerpt size to whatever you like.
wow thanks!! that was quick.. thanks again!!!
also guys.. can u help me out.. still being new to this stuff..
my site.. YES i love EVE online..
http://www.moderatelypassionate.com/evejunkies/
if you hover over the “welcome to….” a little popup comes up.. how would i have that option when users write posts to have alittle caption pop up there.. so they can enter in it themselves in the edit area..
what is that known as…
sorry for the noobie questions.