The bold part is easy, there's a couple of ways to do it, but the easy one is to put * on either side of what you want to make bold. The list of HTML control codes is down below the preview and post buttons at the bottom of the editing window - its a bit cryptic however in the sense that it assumes you know some HTML conventions...
The alternative for * is < STRONG > and < /STRONG >, only without the spaces after and before the greater/less symbols. In this case, "and" would be in bold, everything else normal.
For tweaking, yes, it continuously changes. There's a lot to it, and many different ways of doing something. The biggest trick is to find what will work for you, at the lowest cost.
This comes down to more or less the following:
A - Minimizing your energy requirements. This is an absolute must if you plan to keep the bank happy, yet overlooked rather often by beginners. Don't try to size a system up to your current usage. It's much cheaper to get rid of loads that you don't really need, and find less 'expensive' ways of doing what you must do (ie fluorescent rather than incandescent, etc). This can be a very notable teaching tool for you while you're still completely grid reliant - If you treat the grid as if you have to produce everything you use, you'll notice a big difference in your bill until you go independent! 
B - Do your homework. Knowing the insolation stats (for solar) or having wind data for your area (for a mill) is crucial to a successful system. Also, ask questions, post findings, and get help from people who have been there. There are quite a few people on this board that definitely know their stuff. Read around, it's easy enough to determine who they are.
C - Know your budget. This is one of the harder ones. For me, it manifests as buying cheap crap that turns out being unreliable, costing me more in the end. If you can't afford to do it right, don't do it until you can.
D - For the best results, things need to be matched. Having a few thousand amp hour battery bank that can run your house for a week sounds great, until you understand the implications of not having enough money left over for anything more than a 25 watt solar panel to charge it with. There are several components in a typical system to keep in mind with this. Most of us start small, adding to the entire system evenly until there is no longer a need to do so. (Side question; is there a such thing? LOL) More load means you need more input, so more solar panels. But then where do you store the extra juice? Upgrade the battery. Then the inverter overheats. Gotta get a bigger one. But now you have all this extra juice... can do more load! And on and on and on
E - Beware the BS schemes all over the internet. "Green" is such a buzzword these days that everyone wants to cash in on it. If you stick with the DIY approach (like on here), you'll be fine. In fact, commercial 'plugging' is frowned upon here - a good sign that it's copesetic.
That should get you good and started; but while we're on the subject, I just want to reinforce the idea that saving money is the #1 reason you shouldn't do RE. While it's possible to eventually recover the costs, it takes a long, long time.
Most of us do it for fun, education, to 'stick it to the man', or because there is no other way to get the juice. The DIY approach leans out the wallet requirements a bit, but in no way is money the primary driving force around here.
Steve
