display cleanup, readme update

TIGHTENING UP SOME GRAPHICS

also catching blank message for feedback

and updating the docs

and adding date printing to redraw/banner

README.html

@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ this project.</p>
 
 <p>to use, run <code>~endorphant/bin/ttbp</code> while logged in to tilde.town</p>
 
-<p>you can also try <code>~endorphant/bin/ttbp-beta</code> for a more unstable, bleeding-edge
-experience.</p>
+<p>you can also try <code>~endorphant/bin/ttbp-beta</code> for a more colorful, but
+potentially volatile experience; i sometimes announce in irc or on twitter when
+i&rsquo;m testing a new feature.</p>
 
 <h3>writing entries</h3>
 
@@ -77,10 +78,14 @@ you can safely put custom HTML elements!</li>
 </ul>
 
 
-<h3>general tips</h3>
+<h3>general tips/troubleshooting</h3>
 
 <ul>
 <li>add <code>alias ttbp="~endorphant/bin/ttbp"</code> to your .bash_aliases for fewer keystrokes</li>
+<li>(similarly, <code>alias ttbp-beta="~endorphant/bin/ttbp-beta"</code>)</li>
+<li>if the date looks like it&rsquo;s ahead or behind, it&rsquo;s because you haven&rsquo;t set
+your local timezone yet.  here are some
+<a href="timezone%0Asetting%20instructions">http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-unix-set-tz-environment-variable/</a>.</li>
 </ul>