"...but I've got to learn more Linux..."
If you want to try Linux, I suggest you try the 'Mepis' flavor of it. It's an easy install, finds all the hardware & configures it for you (very good with older hardware) - not much for you to do except to install the FAH Linux console & configure it. That's what I did and I know nothing about Linux. Here's a link to find out more & download Mepis (it's free): http://www.mepis.org/
"...I've got my firewall so tight I can't get out on my DSL."
Dude - you've got a series firewall, there, LOL. I hope you're teaching it some manners - I'd hate to see you disappear into a black hole or something, heheh.
Wednesday bump. We are holding at 1038 active CPUs.
Not bad considering we have 100+ CPUs that are not active folders.