Hi gotita1,
The [Edit Tags] cannot be removed — it's automatically put into each post so that you can go back and add or remove a tag (keyword). For example, if you're posting a picture of a bracelet you made, you might want to put "bracelet" in as a tag. However, using tags is optional. You are in no way required to assign tags to your posts.
The people next to your avatar show up when you are actively using the forum — it just shows people that you are currently online (or have been within the past fifteen minutes). Again, there is no way for you to remove them.
I hope that answers your questions.
Lindsay