habit, mostly. I maintain all the computers here and my husband's laptop is windows 7, he has never used linux. My netbook came with xp, so I use it when using the netbook. I have various towers, some with windows and some with linux, but what I go to daily, like right now, is my Mepis8 linux. and of course the pandigital novel ereader is running linux Android. Often times the reason is that they may have some program or programs they really like or have to use which they can not run in linux, however using WINE in linux many of the windows programs can be functional in linux. I don't have that problem, everything I need comes prebundled with linux or is just a few button clicks away in the repositories (which are like big giant stores full of free programs) I am not however a linux geek, I wish I could say I was, but at my old age I just can not get into all that command line learning, I do wish I had started with linux when I was younger so I knew more, but the linux of today allows people like me to get along pretty well with out too much command line geekiness LOL. I love that I can do lots of updates but never have to do a restart! I just restart it for the heck of it now and then but seriously it can run a long time with out a restart, very stable. but it is not for everyone. using the live cd really does not take skill though because you are not installing the linux you are just running it right from the cd in your cd drawer, when you reboot with out the cd in the drawer you're right back to your usual windows with no changes.

naturecoastgirl-If your seriously considering changing banks, make sure you set up your new account before you cancel the old one. You might also consider going with a Credit Union instead of a bank. A few links that might be useful Items to watch when closing a checking account www.bankrate.com/dls/news/chk/19990824a.asp Step Cautiously Into an Online Bank www.csmonitor.com/2007/0402/p13s02-wmgn.html 3 Reasons Not to Use Online Bank Accounts banking.about.com/od/savings/a/3onlinebankacct.htm punamytsike said: "I had several months in a row trouble with chase when they switched their software." I've had problems with Chase as well and no longer use them. I negotiated a new plan with my cell phone provider. My plan was originally $90.00 a month, I got it down to $55.00. I got my statement from Chase and it still showed the higher amount so I called to dispute the charge. Three months in a row I called the cell provider and Chase. Nothing changed. I called Chase back and I said "I'm the owner of this card/account. My cell phone provider has been overcharging me for the past three months in a row. The amount is in dispute. I have switched my payment method to cash, I've been paying this in person each month at the store. I have receipts to prove this. Each time I call Chase I get a new account number, but the overcharge is still showing on my statement. I am going to cancel this card if you don't stop paying the cell provider. The supervisor said as long as I was signed up for autopay, it wouldn't do any good to completely close my Chase account. I HAD to have this confirmation number to stop payment or I could be sent to collections if I didn't pay Chase (after they wrongly paid the cell provider). In other words, as long as the cell phone provider says I owe money, the card issuer will give them whatever they ask for, even if they are BOTH wrong! I contacted a consumer reporter at our newspaper. She was a big help. The cell phone provider gave me a refund, $100.00 for my trouble and now has a note on my account telling the employees I am a "preferred customer". Yeah right. I will NEVER use autopay again. I will also never change my phone contract without getting a copy of it in writing.

I'm back. Thx for the responses. I'm going to do it, I think. The "fear" is I feel sorta like I'd be "putting all my eggs in one basket". But then, if someone wanted to find all my (very few) assets - well, reality is it wouldn't take much. I just was seeking anyone who has any Negative experiences with doing such. I do have online banking set up for these. I've just not "linked" them. (However, I have not gone 'paperless'. I like to have the papers all over my non-existant desk. lol) Yes, I was adverse to the ATM machines also. Took me a few years to trust those machines. But look what happened 'down the road'...not 'really' that safe once the thieves decided they could steal info sitting in that car across the street. Another thing about the ATM's, It's spooky out there at night, and many years ago I deposited TWO checks into ONE deposit epp, and the good ol' BofA LOST one of the checks and made ME jump thru hoops before they corrected it. But, that is another story.

Congratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy having total control of the money. Regarding your computer problem, I was intrigued so went to google, selected "GROUPS" (and not "WEB" though that might work too) and typed in "keeps dialing up on its own" (including quotes) and got a couple of interesting hits. HERE are my results. You should be able to do the same. Let me know if you can't or if what I'm saying here doesn't make sense and you are interested. You didn't say what operating system and I know this forum is not the computer help forum but pardon me for passing on a bit of info. I wasn't able to "zero in" exactly but maybe you can with these little tidbits. One main web page about this problem that seemed a good place to start (and was referred to in one of the posts in a google groups - microsoft.windowsxp.basics) was at: Autodial problem . From what you said, you have already tried some of these solutions but please read some of the posts in the group(s) and you will find several suggestions also which sounded like very good possibilities and which didn't sound like they would be toxic (from what I could tell though you never know). At the very least, you might feel better knowing you aren't alone with this problem (LOL!). Good luck in the world of electronic finance management and getting your computer fixed... --Alice Here is a link that might be useful: Link posted in Windows troubleshooting google group