Markdown is a simple text-to-HTML converter that turns common text idioms into HTML. The full syntax is available from the author's site, but here's a short summary:

• Paragraphs: Start a new paragraph by skipping a line.
• Italics: Put text in italics by enclosing it in either * or _: *italics* turns into italics.
• Bold: Put text in bold by enclosing it in two *s: **bold** turns into bold.
• Pre-formatted text: Enclosing a short block of text in backquotes (`) displays it in a monospaced font and converts HTML metacharacters so they display correctly. Example: `<img src="foo"/>` displays as <img src="foo"/>. Also, any paragraph indented 4 or more spaces is treated as pre-formatted text.
• Block quotes: Any paragraph (or line) that starts with a > is treated as a blockquote.
• Hyperlinks: You can create links like this: [amazon's web site](http://www.amazon.com). That produces "amazon's web site".
• Lists: You can create numbered or bulleted lists by ending a paragraph with a colon (:), skipping a line, and then using asterisks (*, for bullets) or numbers (for numbered lists). See the Markdown syntax page for examples.
• Raw HTML: Markdown will pass raw HTML through unchanged, so you can use HTML's syntax whenever Markdown doesn't provide a reasonable alternative.

You can use amazon:XXXX-style URLs to refer to items for sale on Amazon.com. If you provide an Amazon associate ID in the filter configuration, then each of these URLs will be tagged with your associate ID and you'll make money if someone buys an item while using your link. Example:

<a href="amazon:097669400X">

turns into

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/.../097669400X/scottstuff-20">