I would like to point out something that could be important to some list members who, like me, are on the verge of buying a new computer. I have bought only Dell computers in the past ten years, so I have only researched that brand recently. Next Wednesday, June 18, is the last day you can get a computer from Dell that is loaded with Windows XP. After that, you will receive Windows Vista from Dell. I don't know if you can still get XP from other computer manufacturers or how long they will have it if they still sell it. I have been told by various people that Vista will not likely work with my older genealogy program where I keep all of my data. It will not work with LOTS of programs, I am told. It may not work with genealogy CD's, but I have not read anything about that. Microsoft came out with a Vista Service Pack 1 to help ease the pain, but a friend told me that Vista is very unlikely to work with my printer or scanner, and perhaps not with my camera dock that plugs into my computer. I read online that I might have to contact the manufacturers of my hardware to see if I can get drivers from them for Vista. Most companies make new drivers for relatively new hardware, but not for older versions they no longer sell. Manufacturers usually do not make old software compatible with new operating systems, so if you are working with an old, but favorite, program, you should be concerned enough to at least make some inquiries. Perhaps some knowledgeable person on this list can comment on this topic. I don't want to scare anyone, and I certainly am no authority on this subject, but I will be buying a new computer with XP by June 18. I am not trying to promote Dell, but I would like to make some comments. In this month's Consumer Reports, Apple was rated best for best for both laptops and desktops. Dell was second for desktop computers and third (after Lenovo) for laptops. Their support is supplied by Phillipine technicians who spoke much more clearly than those who support my antivirus. Dell has a system called something like Go To Assist. It saves both you and the company a lot of time. With your permission, they take control of your computer and do everything for you. Recently, I couldn't install an antivirus because my computer couldn't download the required XP Service Pack 2. The Dell employee not only installed that program, he also installed the antivirus for me. All I had to do was put the CD in the drive. I was impressed almost beyond words. His accent was not a problem, but I also didn't have to worry about it anyways because he wasn't telling me each step that I should make. Dell has one other thing that I think is wonderful (other computer manufacturers may have something similar). It is called DataSafe. A program comes with a Dell computer that will allow you to automatically back up your important files daily, weekly, etc. The backups are securely stored on the Dell site where a house fire or theft will not cause you to lose your backup. DataSafe comes with some low end Dell computers free for the first year, but the service can be purchased for any XP or Vista computer purchased from Dell (a Dell salesperson did not know that). The cost is an incredibly low $9 per year for 3 gigabytes of storage (which is all I would need), or a higher fee for more storage space. I am writing a book and I add research to my genealogy program daily. I back it up on a separate external hard drive, but I don't think of it often enough. I like the Dell feature because it is automatic as long as your computer is online. I will benefit in no way if you buy a Dell computer. I just wanted to let you know about the Vista problem, a deadline for getting XP from Dell, and some of the Dell features that I find so important. Cliff Lamere