Hello to the group, Thanks Per for the excellent tutorial on URPMI. I appreciate your work. No, you weren't being "nerdy" in your earlier post- just very familar with Linux. I had figured out a while ago the a "rpm" was like a zip file in Windows. The exe and support files are contained in the rpm as you said. I can imagine the "fun" of chasing dependencies and realize the help the URPMI tool could be. I just have to work to get my Linux setup on line and then It should get easier. Good luck getting the laptops at auction. There are a lot of used Thinkpads out there (all of mine were from on-line auctions) and prices can be very low. One caution- until I can prove or disprove it- The Thinkpad 600 series supposedly has issues with getting the modem working on Linux- but then they said that about the soundcard too! I was successful in installing the full Mandriva free Linux 2007 ( the full 4 CD install) on another Thinkpad 600E and the kids are enjoying playing the new games Linux offers. Our 2 kids are in High School so we are closer to the grandfather thing then you are perhaps! Like Jason, I have only a 28k modem connection (live in a rural area) and try to download mostly at night. It can take several days to download a CD's worth of data. I have been playing with PC's since the early Vic20 days with DOS and Fortran (1970's) but Linux is new to me. Its just a matter of learning all the language and terminology. Sorry to hear that fldigi may have a memory leak. Perhaps the author can address this if he is informed once it is proven. It would be nice to have the option of using the higher speeds. I will be attempting to get my Linux PC on-line over the next several days and I'm sure there will be more questions... 73 Bob WD8QLY