Re:choosing an OS and getting comfy with a new pc

<snip>
If you've a broadband/DSL type connection, I generally encourage the use of
the auto-update feature to pull down critical updates.
</snip>

IMHO, very very very bad idea. Updates have a bad habit of disabling thing
right when you don't want them to.  Also since WinDOHS is so adverse to
JAVA, you don't know what Redmond will do to you.

I would customize the OS the way you want it, and use the feature IBM
includes, ConfigSafe, very liberally. (copies the registry prior to
software loads) that has saved by bacon on more than one occasion.  I agree
with the other recommendations. (I use Linux as the firewall)

This is a ThinkPad A30 running W2K with VMware to a Linux partition where I
spend most of my time.  The only time Linux crashes is when W2K does first.
We love the ThinkPads.  Durable, run forever, and excellent support.  I use
all the stuff you mentioned and don't have any problems at all.

Jim Oberholtzer
Senior Solutions Architect
Computech Resources, Inc.