I copy paste using N900 many times in a day and i have been amazed how good i can pick small text without zooming to the text.

1. I would guess most of us use fingers 90% of time when using N900. So calibrate the touch screen using your fingers too. My N900 is calibrated so that it's some millimeters away if i would have used stulys.

2. Swipe from the left to right so you get the pointer icon when browsing

3. Just tap the pointer icon that appears and it should get redlined. Now the pointer is locked. Tapping it again will unlock it.

4. Use your finger to highlight the text. Then just ctrl-c and ctrl-v away