RealtorGal, To read about enhanced mode, see Paula's first post on the thread "Enhanced and Guided Mode" in this folder (Feedback) -- about 6 threads down right now.
Basically, Enhanced Mode lets you use your buttons for bold, italics, size, color, quote, etc., in the most natural way. You can also click on Enhanced Mode for each individual post separately, if you don't want to change your default settings.
According to Paula, you appear to be in "Show Standard Editor Toolbar" mode, which is fine.
This should not have anything to do with seeing the animation in the smilies. This is usually a problem with the user's own browser settings. You can check it out by logging on from a different computer and see if you have the same problem. (From my computer at home I have to log out from GS in a two-step process, and I can't see all the drop-down menus on the GS home page, but from my computer at work it's fine.) For tech help you can go to
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/
and ask questions about vbulletin board. This is a very useful site, and there are lots of people there eager to show off their expertise by helping other vboard users.
Sorry I couldn't help more.
Mathman