Thanks, I really depend on the excellent help I get here, it is appreciated. That said, I hope someone else using AT&T for an ISP and is happy pitches in. I am keeping for now to retain my email address, one I've used for at least 15+ years. Unfortunately, it appears AT&T is working on getting out of the ISP business (what, just wireless now?). They shut down the brand Worldnet, yet my 2.0 versions of Thunderbird address the "postoffice" and "mailhost" with "worldnet" as part of the address. But, it isn't working on my Thunderbird 3.0 version. I will try to figure something out tonight. My quick look last night at the AT&T help on the web said "pop and smtp with att.jahoo.com" was the magic. But that may be only if you use their DSL... not sure, seems strange. I have DSL form my local phone company, and it offers all the services Worldnet used to offer, I just am reluctant to change may address and lose contact with many I don't communicate with often... but AT&T is pushing me that way. I have all my personal email on Thunderbird, I use Outlook for business email. I suppose I can move the business email on to Thunderbird too (not as versatile as Outlook) but have not checked on how that is done. It appears one can't have two instances of Thunderbird on one computer. Maybe one can have one Thunderbird with multiple "accounts". I know Outlook provides for multiple accounts in one instance of Outlook, but I don't recall ever seeing anything like that in Thunderbird. Outlook is clearly the "industrial strength" email client... maybe Outlook Express has some of the same capabilities... I have never used it.

Remember that if you are using Windows Backup in Windows 7, you should not be using a backup medium smaller than 1GB. CDs are no longer appropriate; you should purchase blank DVDs and write on those. This has nothing to do with Gateway, it has to do with the increased size of a backup. Memorex is also a media that will give you a great deal of 'coasters' (useless burned DVDs/CDs). Honestly, you can buy a 160 GB external HD from TigerDirect.com for $34.99, and that's about what you would pay for a spindle of blank DVDs. Here is a link that might be useful: Tiger Direct HD

Well we're all over the map now, since husband is now seeing the light on new construction installation costs. Contractors are pushing what they like, so that's what I have under consideration now. Are all of these of a decent quality? Harvey Majestic Thermal Dreamwood Okna 500 (I know this is good, it's just a question if the colors will go with our trim) Jeld Wen SCDH2822

Alarm bells rang when I read you will be purchasing the windows. Who will be providing to the window seller the measurements and other specifications? I am surprised your contractor is OK with this arrangement. Doesn't he have a relationship with a lumberyard--preferably Marvin-certified? And if he doesn't, why not? If you are set on Marvin windows, you should find a contractor who actively sells them. My contractor sent me to his preferred lumberyard so I could pick out which of the Marvin lines I wanted and see and touch them live with their pros and cons. The person helping me there said several times that my contractor would be providing the specs, and they'd arrange delivery with him. If your contractor's price is higher than you'd like, get bids from other contractors, and/or look at other less expensive brands. You can go on Marvin's website and see a list of suppliers in your location. But they will expect to work with your contractor. Even if they will sell to you directly, I don't even see how you can save money that way. Any Marvin supplier will not be able to charge you a contractor price.