Well I certainly don't use or set smooth fonts - I hate them
The lower bar I have no idea - as I posted in the 1.8 thread.
If you installed it as I said - fresh and in a new folder - then you will not see the manastone ready message.
Please refer to the 1.8 thread:
http://www.eq2interface.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=4746