This is kind of like trying to teach someone to ride a bike over the internet.. I'll start and let others much better at the keyboard offer more valuable information.
First we need to know what type of O/R you have gunwale mount, hardtop mount, or are they mounted to the side of the cabin-helm area.
Basically you want put the O/R in the ready poistion (for me this means lower them so the tips are closer to the water) and set the tension on the cord/mono (halyard I think is the proper term), I prefer mine to be pretty tight. Most O/R have a piece of bungee or erquivalent to take up the slack that naturally occurs when they are lowered. Then you want to set the tension on each of the O/R clips. The amount of tension depends on many things such as; what are you trolling a three foot heavy spreader bar or a 1/2 oz. Japanese feather, how rough are the seas, what is the target species (three pound bonito or one hundred pound yellowfin), what class tackle are you using (light spinning gear or eighty pound bent butts), how many are on board (are you alone or is there a full experienced crew). Finally you want to have each one of your desingated rods fishing line pass through the O/R clip and get the lure or bait to run at the desired depth. Some lures are best just below the surface, some skipping across the tops of waves, etc.
I don't think I answered your questions, but I may have given you a little insight. After thinking about it, you might be best served by having someone show you. Even if this 'lesson' took place at the dock, you would still be able to visualze it. Ideall have the fisherman show you on your own boat so you will feel comfortable doing it on your own on your next trip.
Back to question and enough with my rambling:
On most boats you must clip the line first and them send the clip out towards the end of the O/R (unless you have fifteen foot arms).
Hope this helps a little.
