2. There is an HTML option that allows you to put in markup tags, but please don't abuse it. That is an option I can turn off, it was left in for a reason. If you don't use HTML, then the message will be in plain text, but carriage returns will show up correctly. Be sure to check True for Use HTML, otherwise you'll just have a bunch of tags show up, and everyone will laugh at you.
Alert guidelines:
1. Put the release date in your description if it is not already in current release.
2. Post about specific upcoming events, not rumors or guesses. Don't post questions or ask about upcoming releases. If someone knows, they'll post an alert. These sorts of things would be more appropriate for the Discussion page.
3. A description of the scene (if you know it) is helpful. If you aren't sure, that's OK, just let people know.