Sorry about this Yandso but for your first question ryman, you want to use a mask. It is very simular to how yandso explained but you may find problems with that as you start to use more layers. To do this with a mask goes like this:
1) Create a layer with your text on, write what you want.
2) Create a new layer above the text layer and convert it to a mask. (right click the layer name and select "mask"

3) on this layer, create a box with the retangle tool the size of your text. (I find it best to select no stroke with this, just a preference)
Ok, I'll explain a little about masks. When you converted this layer to mask the one underneath should have indented (if not, goto Modifiy/Layer and select masked). This shows you that this layer is masked by the one above. Anything that is masked will only show up when the mask is covering it.
4) start with the mask you created just at the side of your text, add a key frame to your mask layer and then move the mask so it covers your first letter. Do this again and cover the second letter. Keep following step 4 till all your letters are covered then hit Ctrl and enter to test your movie.
I hope you can understand my instructions. Doing it this way you will learn something that can be very useful in Flash. If you have any problems just reply to this and I'll try to explain a liitle more.
Good luck!
roda B-)
Learning is like rowing against the current. As soon as you stop, you start going backwards.