[Redleg Duke]

I made a breakthrough last evening. I got a LINUX package on Ebay and tried to load it on my old computer. It would boot from the CD and run great, but when I installed it, it would fail. I finally ran memory tests and got a slew of errors on Tuesday night. Last night I popped the cover and experimented with the two memory sticks. The 256 meg one was fine but the errors were in the 512 meg one (figures!). I removed the 512 meg stick and reinstalled the LINUX package and it runs beautifully!

This package even includes "Open Office" and the total cost was $10.94! It is impressive!

Anyone want a deal on a 512 meg memory stick with an attitude?

[Carolinamom]

While I don't understand all that tech stuff, I do understand that you got one more good deal! My daughter got a perfectly good printer for $20. at eBay. So far, I just lurk there.

[AFPhys]

I downloaded several versions of Linux over the Lab's T3 line. Most people don't have the ability to download a whole 4.3Gb DVD in only 25min or so, though, so it seems that the most sensible way to get Linux nowadays for most people would be to purchase one of the many packages available, and set up a dual-boot machine with it.

I did a google search on:
linux distributions pack (or packages)
And came up with many possibilities. Two of them were:

http://spidertools.com/10pack.php (12 versions/ $30)
http://www.linuxcd.org (several options)

I really recommend Knoppix for people to try - it runs from CD and doesn't ever touch your hard drive - and you can see if Linux might fit into your future. If you want to run store-bought games only, don't bother, but if office and internet are your main uses for your 'puter (and you like simple games) I highly recommend linux. Soon, I believe, all store bought products will come with Linux options, though.

I have had ZERO problems with virus or spyware in the eight months or so I've been running with a simple largely unconfigured hardware firewall and DSL. Usually I'm on Fedora linux, but Knoppix, SUSe and Mandrake have been fine, too. Debian will be tried sometime in the future.\

No security fears at all for my online banking and bill paying activities.