it does take a little getting used to and letting the program learn, it will pop up and ask you do you want to let such and such connect to the internet you will likely know what is asking because you are trying to use something that needs access so in those cases say yes, if it is something that needs to access it regularly like your antivirus check mark where it says remember this so it does not ask each time. Do not give server rights some things will ask but it is not necessary once you say no to server rights it will next pop up asking for access, that you can allow. If it is something you do not recognize asking then say no and see if you can determine what it is, if you had some type of malware that is trying to phone home you would not want to allow that access. I prefer mine to pop up and ask each time with some of the rarely used stuff I like to know what is connecting. When getting zonealarm or any other free firewall or any program actually be very alert during the install period and uncheck or do not allow the addition of any toolbars or extras, Zone alarm unfortunately now does try to include a toolbar with the free version, you do not want that toolbar. and if you have problems or questions just ask. When something like generic win 32 something ask for permission say yes or you will not be able to connect to the internet, that is one to check mark always allow. Yes as grandms said with cable you have a direct connection and with no router in between you and the internet that even more dictates the use of a software firewall. The benefit of a router with built in hardware firewall is great but I use both on my windows machines, actually my linux has guarddog firewall built into it so I even have one on linux. The link I had provided the main reason I do refer that link is that there are such good instructions and pictures for someone new to firewalls.

It surely was a blast! Nope Di I don't hold the record for CF' meet ups. As of this trip I have net 20 wonderful folk from the CF but I think there are several others who have met more, BUT!!! I do hold one CF record that no one has topped. I am the only one who has cooked dinner for Ann T !! Talk about pressure......but they were the most gracious and easiest of any company I've ever had.

Donna, there's no true reliable way to test the acidity of a canning recipe unless you send it out to a county cooperative extension agent (who has the equipment) to test. There's no luck for that in Florida though, as it seems no one cans down here anymore. Your best and safest bet is to always follow a reliable recipe from a reliable source. If you substitute one item for another, just be sure it is the same TOTAL amount (i.e., If you don't like onions in a recipe, substitute 2 cups of onion for 1 cup of bell pepper and 1 cup of onion. It still equals 2 cups.). If you want to take something out and don't want to substitute, that is fine too. The key is to not go over the amount asked for in a recipe. And as far as what are "reliable" sources for recipes, well, that's another arguement we have on the Harvest Forum pretty regularly. If you stick with the Ball Blue Book until you get the hang of things, you'll be fine. Come on over!

OK, the car story is funny. When I heard Sharon & Clive were driving route 66 in a TBird convertible, I was thinking it was a '57 or perhaps an early 60's model. (my dad was/is a collector, I just assumed theirs would be an older model.) So I thought it would be fun to borrow one of my dad's cars for the day, to fit in with the whole Route 66 thing and park next to theirs. I'm almost to the restaurant, and I call Sharon to ask what year their car is. "2002". LOL!!! I laughed at myself and my incorrect assumption for a good 5 minutes.