Will, page 101,first paragraph, "the distance from the top of the crossbeam to the top of the plate should not be increased beyond 4 feet because of the spreading force". I wonder is this is part of the re-do?

The post in the red book are 8x8,btw.

Not a bad idea to increase the post size, maybe to 9x9. Also, if you had two braces coming together at the same point on a post, one on one side and one on the other, and using 1" reduction/housings on a 7x7 the braces conflict, and on an 8x8 the touch, the 9x9 leaves you with some grace. Just another reason to use a bigger post.