2 questions for a 'n e w b i e'

right 2 questions,
1.) what im looking to make is a sort of fire like background, as at the same time coming out of a sorta black hole (very cliche'd i know but im learnin!!!)

theres one like what im looking for on computer arts site with a ship in front of it...

ive tired doin it thousands of times but i cant get anything that looks remotely remarkable?!

2) how do u make text look like its bein shaken around and stressed?! theres 1 of these on phong.com on a wallpaper, i know it uses blurring and colour dodge.. but again cant get the effect... cheers in advance!
:D

Could you post a coupla links in order to explain what you mean...I would help if I knew what you mean, but I wont search the net for examples of what I think you mean, you'll have to post them for me/us...

P