Congratulations to Jody and Robbie for beginning the move up to Linux!
I've been running Linux on my machine since it was in version 0.99.13,
almost four years ago.  Because it turns your PC into a Un*x workstation,
(can't call it Unix; Unix is a trademark, but Linux is a "clone" of it)
it requires special skills to administer.  It is possible to learn these
new skills in isolation, but it is better to have a support group.  I am
today subscribing to the computer side-group and I'll be glad to help all
new Linuxers any way I can.  I don't claim to be a "guru" but I've
learned enough about Linux to be at least dangerous and maybe even
somewhat helpful.

I encourage any and all computer users who need a more powerful system to
consider Linux.  If you've heard that it's too hard to install,
administer, or use, remember that it's all in knowing how, and you can
learn.  If you've heard that there are no nifty applications like Word or
Excel that run under it, I've read that there is a suite of office
applications called Applixware that perform these functions in the
full-color, point 'n' click windowing environment called The X Window
System that comes with Linux and most other Unices.  [Un*xes?  ;-) ]

This is commercial software, and its cost is comparable to Windows 95
plus Microsoft Office.  I plan to try it soon.  Buy it through Redhat
and they will throw in their latest distribution of Linux for free.
See http://www.redhat.com for more information.  (I don't work for 
Redhat or Applix.)

I'll be looking for all you new and potential Linuxers on the computer
support list!   Regards,

Doug Mauldin
gdmauldin@ualr.edu
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Arkansas at Little Rock

 [ And I'll soon have a lot of questions for you, Doug!  Thanks for
 [ offering your support.  Among my reasons for returning to the "old"
 [ command-line operating system is my frustration with the slowness
 [ (and crashes) of the Windows and Macintosh op systems.  -- Robbie