Marc,
When trying to show someone an HTML code without it being interpretted as a code use < (to get the & use & amp; without the space) for the opening <. You can still use a regular > to close the tag.
>>Ahem. I still have a lot to learn about HTML. This should look ok.
>
>Ahem bis. There are easier ways to learn HTML...
>
>Paul, a tag in HTML use the <> syntax. I you put the PRE between these
>2 characters, you formatting will be preserved.
>
>If you put /PRE between the 2 characters, you signal to the browser that you do not want it to preserve your formatting any longer. Now you try to explain that in one message. :)