In the days after Christmas and into the New Year, those who manage genealogy lists find that we have an increase in new subscribers. I can only assume, that these new subscribers are people who have recently acquired a computer -or a genealogy programme for their computer - the time to have an interest in genealgy - any or all of those things So, for any person who is new to computers and the internet, I'd ask you to be aware of one very important thing - and I don't mean to make you scared or your computer - a new found 'friend' - interest. I'd ask you to NEVER, ever open an attachment that comes in as an email to you. Whatever email programme you are using you'll most usually see an attachment as some extra addition to the name fo the person from whom you've received an email. Me, I use microsoft - so, when i receive an email with an attachment, then on my screen I see the person's name and a little paper clip beside it - meaning there is an attachment with this email. I NEVER open the email that has an atachment (even though I do have an anti virus programme) without emailing the person who is supposed to ahv e sent me the attachment in the first place, and asking if they sent it to me. Does't matter if it is my sister who sent me the supposed attachment. I don't open it. and that - is the first rule of the internet - or email.................. I'd like for us as groups - this mail is being sent to a number of email lists - anywway - I'd appreciate it if those of you who are 'oldies' could have a 'Where we/I have been' - 'what I have learned' - most useful URL's as regards 'learning about using my computer' - why's, wherefore's - what to do - what not to do............... I'm not looking for genealogical URL's here...............I'm just looking for some hints. Every single one of us sat in front of a computer for the first time ever at some stage or another - many of us have gotten into trouble with our puters. If there are too many replies to any list, well, the new subscribers may decide to unsub.......... But, you know, maybe if some of us do a bit of remembering as regards things we've done wrong - how we solved these wrongs - then, maybe we will give some help to those who are new - maybe we will remind those of us who are oldies on the net as to where we can go wrong - maybe we'll just do some long term good for one another. most of what we say won't be needed today - but maybe it will - tomorow. Me, the biggest mistake I ever made was deciding that I could trust emails from someone who I assumed had a virus protection programme and I opened an email with an attachment from that person when my own virus programme was not up to date. That was back in 1999, and I am still trying to fix my files - almost into 2005 A lesson well learned - albeit the hard way. Jane