that little bar sometimes automatically starts recording the movements i make like zooming in and out, and I don't know how it's activated.... please tell me how.

Here's some things to look for: 1) See that blue tab in the middle? click on it and pull up, there's a big timeline in there. You can see your key frames then. 2) See that white circle on the left side? Turn it off if you're doing a still...that's what permits animation. 3) If you don't want the camera to move, select the camera in the sequencer and then in properties uncheck animation. 4) I'd tell you to re read the manual but sometimes I want to kick myself for not figureing out extremely simple things. -brent

yeah..i'm always lazy when reading manuals and such...

Don't smack yourself in the head about it... the other day my mother was asking my help abut a software product, and I asked if she had read the manual? She hadn't, and she WRITES tech manuals! Your not alone! ;>