gremlint wrote:[…] I have spent many hours trying to get this program to work satisfactorily, so its rather frustrating when someone seems to suggest that I'm just randomly poking around. […]
I think we have a little misunderstanding. By saying »avoid random shots and guesswork« I didn't mean that you are possibly groping in the dark. It was meant that you should try to prevent others (those who try to help) from venturing guesses regarding your problem by giving useful information in form of concrete examples.
As Clemens I can recommend this book absolutely (though I don't have it). It is said to be the bible for LaTeX users. The »
Guide to LaTeX« might be an alternative. And for complete novices there is »
LaTeX for complete Novices« (free PDF version).
