From queries on this and other non-geek fora I frequent, I've prepared the above Primer ( a sleek 41 KB) covering the basics of running a peecee in today's atmosphere in .doc (Microsoft Word) format.

Post here or PM me, and I'll forward a copy; if there's enough interest, I'll ask Bill N Y to host it online.

Hi Rusty,
I'd like a copy for the same reasons you produced it. Little by little I'm switching to dual boot XP Pro and Unbuntu 8.10.
Jack

I would like to have a copy too,
Thanks Rusty

Michel

Me, too, Rusty.
PC challenged Jim

Ha... I've got the guru himself coming over to my house next week. I'll let him explain it to me in person.

With this many requests, I'll post it here:

I added a few things so it's a bit larger.

EDIT: If anyone finds typos, or wants expansion on a particular subject, post or PM me.

I'm on the road tomorrow, and will have 'net access tomorrow night, then again not until Thurs 4/16 or Fri, then not reliably until 4/21.

Personal Computer Primer for the Terminally Disinterested

Since Jack mentioned it, Ubuntu is the latest, most-celebrated version of Linux (pronounced "Linn'-ucks". Linux is an open-source (meaning there's no owner, and no costs, unless one buys packaged Linux products) operating system.

Linux was first developed by Linus Torvalds as freeware operating system similar to the ubiquitous Unix. The beauty of it is that there are literally millions of users producing software and upgrades to the Linux platform.

The upside is that it's free and a bit more secure than Windows or Mac OSs, and it uses fewer of the computer's resources; the downside is that many peripherals (printers, etc.) won't run on it, nor will Windows-based software.

However, there are ample browsers, word processers and other applications that compete successfully with Win/Mac operating systems.

Dual-booting provides the facility for both Windows and Linux. See my Primer for info on partitioning drives, a sensible effort for dual-booting, as it's wise to keep operating systems on separate drives.