Sam, Kenneth, Dusty and Will, thank you all SO much for the detailed
responses! Sort of restores your faith in usenet. This is more than
enough to make me rethink several of my baking habits, and give me
fodder for a few more months' of experimentation, though I'm sure I'll
be back here again. Getting more precise with salt and hydration
measurements will be step number one. Dusty, I may yet take you up on
the offer of starter, if mine continues to disappoint...

Thanks again!

Eric