>when doing a modify memo command, the window apears with the name of the file and field name, how can I change this to give the user instructions, ie change the text in the title bar?

create window yourwindow from ... title "your title"
modify memo yourmemo window yourwindow

Check the syntax for both commands in the help - this was offhead. You can also size your window, position it etc. Though, in this syntax it's practically in foxels, i.e. rows and columns. If you want to control it in pixels, create a form:

oFrm=createobject("form")
With oFrm
   .top=
   .left=
   .caption= 
   .fontname=
   ...etc etc, any properties you like
endwith
modify memo yourmemo window (oFrm.name)
oFrm.release()