"one graphic file (TGA) and one text-code file (MAP). So I�ll need �_flat� Versions of both files."
Not unless you plan on editing the .tga. 2 map files can contain different rulesets for one .tga with no problems.
"The editor won�t let me connect into some of the partial provinces."
Yes, it just looks at the white dots and their general vincinity. Just click on the flags (and keep your eye out for fatter flags, having 2 white pixels side by side is annoying but occassionally happens if you're clumsy like me).
BTW The random province name generator has different names for forests/seas/mountains. So if you make a map and want to name a couple of your provinces (but not all), 1)manually assign terrain types 2)click randomize names (now that you have assigned terrain types, your seas will be called seas etc. 3)name your special provinces. I like to leave some/all provinces with no names at all, which causes them to be generated randomly (based on terrain) at the start of a game.
and ditto for Arralen's advice
Oh, what's your goal anyways? Maybe we could give you more specific advice
