Do I have to use java (if so how/where).

Java and JavaScript are two different things. Java is a programming language, JavaScript is a scripting language. In web technologies, Java, like C# or PHP, runs on the server. JavaScript runs on the client (web browser).

A. the style Bit (you can move it after you get it to work)
------------------------
<style type="text/css">
a.hid {color:#000; text-decoration:none; outline-style:none;}
a.hid em {display:none;}
a.hid:hover {text-decoration:none;}
a.hid:active, a.hid:focus {background:#fff;}
a.hid:active span, a.hid:focus span {display:none;}
a.hid:active em, a.hid:focus em {display:block; color:#555; width:100%; font-style:normal; cursor:default;}
.clear {clear:both;}
</style>

B. the content bit
----------------------------

<p><a class="hid"
href="#more"
onclick="this.hideFocus=true"
onblur="this.hideFocus=false">
<span>Read More »</span>
Lorem ipsum dolor </p>

sorted

I'm stuck tho.

I have a fixed size div container. In that container I have text. Often the text is too big for the container, so I want to be able to break that text with "read more" link. I had intended that read more link to then call another page where the large amount of text is handled differently. I WANT the read more link as I want to encourage the user to click/interact.

Is there any way in CSS to truncate or hide a piece of text and then have some functionality to display all the text. Do I have to use java (if so how/where). Can I do it all in one html page or do i have to add two? Or what is the right name for what I am trying to do and I can search the net (obviously "read more" brings up a few million results!!!)

I just need to know where the solution lies..I sort of understand how i need to make the container's height flexible.

There is no trick. But doing CSS requires an understanding of the markup (xhtml). There is no way round that. The CSS applies styles to stuff. To what stuff depends on the markup. So number one read the source (View Source). Get used to it. Feel comfortable with it. Two. Understand what the heck selectors actually are. Different cats of selectors behave in different ways. SO: this is counter intuitive. To understand the CSS do not start in CSS. Start in the xhtml. Then see how they relate. Its all there. :)
The404

It doesn't matter what tool you use (i.e. Dreamweaver, TextWrangler, Notepad, Frontpage, etc.), if you don't understand/know the Markup of a website, you'll be shooting in the dark.

if anyone is interested it gives unexpected results.

OK. I sort of like my theme. I want to change it a bit (eg colours/font) eventually and appreicate that I need to self host and do CSS etc etc.

As a first stage I want to convert my web site to a similar look and feel as CONNECTIONS and then at a later date migrate the blog across to it and self host it.However my web site MUST have the correct fonts and colours and a more elaborate menu.

so my question is "how easy for someone who is only a bit technical to copy the CONNECTIONS CSS style sheet and modify its look and feel for my web site using something like frontpage or web expressions".

Is this a biggie or might i be able to sort it out with a few days of thought and planning?

many thanks

Then my question is "For free, how can I write a blog once and publish it multiple times with one click on many sites".

I seem to have managed to link my wordpress content to linkedin and to facebook quite happily but i think that is controlled by applications on those sites RSSing the content across. I want to create new, duplicate blogs. I also want to definately summarise/tinyurl stuff to Twitter and to optinally post to flickr or youtube with the appropriate media.

Apparently BlogIt can do it? But then the underlying account there is a paid-for account.