I need some pointers regarding setup of a svn enabled development version if poss?

Heres my logic (it may well be flawed from the constant flicking through the svn manual):

- 'export' a copy of current svn to my local machine
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c:\path\to\export


- 'import' to MY svn server
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create a 'branch' on my svn server > copy HEAD REVISION


- 'checkout' to my local machine (allows me to make changes etc)
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c:\path\to\import\branch\1.0 << Is this now MY working copy?


- 'merge' to my svn server << To MY 'branch' eg 1.1?
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create 'diff' files for changes? AND/OR create 'tag' status of 'merged' content.??


- 'commit' branch 1.1 to 'trunk'
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I a sorry if it's all a bit gibberish but I really hope some smart users may be able to point me in the right direction. It's been a long day an a steep larning curve.

Am using TortoiseSVN btw and have shell access to svn server.

Fingers crossed.