Just linked to a news story, and when I clicked the “insert link” button, I got a prompt for the link, but not for the text I wanted displayed. Can anyone tell me how to do it “by hand?”
The format for a link is <URL=“http://www.straightdope.com”>Straight Dope</URL>
substituting [ and ] for < and >.
Thanks, LurkMeister! 
No problem; I learned the coding when another message board I post to was having the same problem. I’m not even sure if they ever fixed it, because typing the link myself when I’m there became a habit.
You don’t have to do it by hand.
It’s slicker now. Click the “insert link” button, type the url and press enter/click “OK”.
Looking over the coding inserted and figuring out exactly what’s happening is left as an exercise for the reader. 
After you’ve done that, select some text BEFORE clicking on “insert post”.
And FYI there’s a link to all vB codes near the bottom of the page below the large “post reply” button . It’s currently labeled “BB code is On”. 
Thanks to you, too,** rowrrbazzle**!