Component substitutions 1 other question

Regarding the internal connections in the breadboard, the red and black markings are completely arbitrary. I'm guessing (without seeing a photo) that your breadboard has the same basic elements - lots of groups of 4 or 5 connections arranged in 2 or more columns, and longer strips of connections (maybe segmented into 4- or 5-contact groups) down the sides (or across the top and botton, depending on how you orient the board). The long strips are usually used for power distribution, but there are no rules.

By convention, wiring in DC powered circuits usually has the ground (reference, return, whatever) connection colored black. As long as you are careful about making the connection groups correctly, where they are on the breadbooard doesn't matter.

ak