Hi everyone, Rene - Why don't you try posting your request on the other bromeliad forum as well as I think it has a larger membership. http://www.bromeliadforum.za.net/forum/index.php Good luck with the site All the best, Nev.

You can look at mini gardens in two ways: First, what I feel is a miniature of a LARGE garden, like the bonsai, make a small garden structure, get a small tree=like shrub, and have the hosta stand in for the bigger plantings if it was normal size. Like get a bird house shaped like a real house for the garden structure. Make a tiny hammock, hang it from appropriately sized arbor for viewing only. Even looking at my real hammock gives me a peaceful feeling--highly recommend looking at a hammock to relax. :) The other approach is to simply feature them as a collection of small plants, exquisitely displayed, have a nice Zen style background. I'm thinking miniaturize Babkas Barcalounger arrangement. I fyou have a child with an angel garden, this could also be a fantasy place, a secret garden, like that of The Happy Hunter I so thoroughly put foot in mouth mentioning.

I am sorry, I am obviously not as computer saavy as you are. Pardon my ignorance and stupidity. I have a router WIRED to my main desktop computer. My old laptop was WIRELESSLY hooked up to it. I don't know how to WIRELESSLY connect my new laptop to my own router, I have never done it before. I need someone to walk me through the steps of finding my WIRELESS source. A "source" is what the computer calls the choice of routers that show up on a list of routers near me (all through Verizon) that I can hookup to, but I do not want to do that, I want to use my own non-Verizon router which is not listed when I try to connect. I hope this helps you, and again I apologize for being so stupid with this. Whatever happened to the people on this forum who understood that not all of us are computer literate and that is the reason we come here: for answers, not to be belittled by those who are more knowledgeable?

Snidley gave good advice. I agree with just about all of it. You're not going to tax the performance of any modern machine you buy with the uses you specified. My one recommendation, and what I do every time I buy one or set one up for someone is to max out the RAM as much as possible. Fill open slots at least with highest possible. RAM will do you more good than CPU power in about 90% of all cases I've seen. If you buy from a computer shop they'll usually let you buy enough RAM to max it out and credit you for what's in it. Often there will be, for instance a 2gb when the slot will handle 4 so you have to remove it. Cheaper machines often only have 2 slots. For me, I quit using the tablet, partly because it died but partly because it's just not convenient. I bought a $20 smart phone to use as a mini tablet when I'm out and about. Works fine for me. I much prefer the keyboard and 17" monitor features on a notebook/laptop. It's my primary computer. I'm probably going to get another in the next month or two. I was looking at a refurb Toshiba for about $350. Everything I needed and more. Like I said I'd then add some RAM which I haven't priced but should be less than $100. Occasionally you'll see places that include office in their packages, however it's not "free". Technically, no extra charge, but they charge you a few hundred more for the package so, you still wind up paying for it. Most everything sold now should be compatible for Win10 unless you buy something old. Doubt you will. My needs aren't the same as yours although we do use them similarly! Brand, well other than HP/Compaq I wouldn't object to most any. Dell at the bottom of the barrel. Much depends on luck and how you treat them. Look for the features you want. Number of USB ports, etc. For me, a modem is required and few if any notebooks have them anymore so I have to dedicate a port to the modem. I always use a mouse so there goes a second one. I use an amplified speaker powered by USB so there goes another. Historically I too like Lenovo and I've had great luck with Toshiba but haven't dealt with them now for a long time, except my first one (13-14 y.o.) is still going strong. I had one that died. Still the overall quality of them were far above others. But YMWV. (Second to )Last comment: I do not hesitate to buy refurbs. They're often only slightly used if used and almost always a great value. OH, and DO NOT get misled by some of these places that include "$2000 worth of FREE software!!!" Most of it is available free anyway, such as firewall, anti-virus, anti-malware, etc. NOW, for last comment, check your software that you find absolutely essential and see if it's compatible with the OS you're getting. Probably should check to make sure it will work with Win10 since it will be force loaded on you unless you take action to stop it. I lost use of some essential programs going from Vista to 7 so I keep the XP unit around for when I do desktop publishing which isn't too often but still needed. Good luck in your search.