Changing Permalinks – My Eyes Are Crossed!

So, I’ve been setting up a blog. I left the default Permalink setting (appending a ID number to identify a post, page, etc.).

I’ve been reading up on Search Engine Optimization and it says it’s best to use what WP calls Pretty Permalinks. If I change the Permalink setting, none of my current links work. So, obviously, I’d have to re-direct the old Permalinks to the new ones.

I did a search in the forums for this, and frankly, I’m even MORE confused. There’s something I’m supposed to do with the .htaccess file to initiate the re-direct? I’m totally lost.

Any help would be sweet!