Fed-Up,
I don't know about the land patent question.
But in case your question was about making the editor tools work for you, there is a setting in the User CP for the editor, I am not sure if you already have it selected to: "Full WYSIWYG mode", in case not, perhaps that would help to make it earier to use these features.
When you use that mode you have a "Tool Bar" where you can pick font/color/size, etc.
Try this link:
http://forum.suijuris.net/profile.php?do=editoptions
If it does not work do this:
- Click the User CP link
- Select Edit Options on the left menu
- Scroll all the way down the page to the " Miscellaneous Options" section
- Use the drop down list to select the "Enhanced Interface - Full WYSIWYG Editing"