[ic] 2 Button tag quesions

[ffire]

2 questions:

1) The image source specified in the [button] tag was never called.  
I'm quite sure I've got the pathname/filename correct, I've tried 
using:

<input type="image" 
src="__THEME_IMG_DIR__shoppingbag.gif" alt="Add To Shopping Bag">

and it worked.  But using:

[button
       text="Add To Shopping Bag"
            src="__THEME_IMG_DIR__shoppingbag.gif"
       hidetext=1
      ]
      mv_nextpage=ord/checkout
      mv_todo=submit
[/button]

...does not display the image file, instead, showing the text.  
What's wrong?

2) Is there a way to make a button of a link?
I would like to achieve the effect of:

<a href="[area ord/checkout]"><font 
class="my_button">Checkout</font></a>

...which would look like a button, where "my_button" is a css class 
similar to that of "input".  Currently, if I do that, the link button 
is one pixel off from the top and left, so that if I were to place 
this together next to a button, they look uneven.

In an attempt to make them look "even", I've used:

<input type="image" src="__THEME_IMG_DIR__shoppingbag.gif" alt="Add 
To Shopping Bag">
&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="[area ord/checkout]"><img alt="Checkout" 
src="__THEME_IMG_DIR__checkout.gif" class="my_button"></a>


But this would require the creation of so many images.
Essentially, I do not want to create my own images, that's why I'm 
seeking help to make the [button] tag work (question 2).

In case I really cannot make a button of a link, I'll have to fall 
back on creating images.  I know I don't have to use the [button] tag 
to use images (ie, can use <input type="image" ...), but I'm just 
wondering why using [button] tag cannot display images (question 1).