try looking at these two nodes for more info:
fixing what textareas do to input
ASCII to HTML
both are relevant to this. Also, remember that when you think
of a good title for your question, put that title into the search
box and search on it. You'll be surprised what you can find. =)
Update: Please don't take this as a lecture. Asking
questions like this one is what this whole section is about.
I point out the option to search simply because itcan save *you*
time and get you answers in terms that may help you rephrase
the questions - which is sometimes all you need to do to get to
the answers yourself. =)
"A man's maturity -- consists in having found again the
seriousness one had as a child, at play." --Nietzsche