It gave me a chuckle, Janis. I've been messing with computers since 1966 when I took my first course in it, on the big mainframes at our local University. Took a couple more courses in programming down the road in the early seventies. I remember when everyone was WAITING FOR WANG! The vision for PCs was there much earlier than today's kids could imagine. I laughed at Lilo's Luddite comments. I am pretty darned close to one, but I don't cut my nose off to spite my face. I'm fine with technology if it fulfills a purpose for me and then I don't have any problems wrapping my mind around it. I have some really deep seated personal agendas when it comes to the disposable mindset, however. It really rubs me the wrong way to have perfectly good machines sent to the boneyards because the technology behind them has gone defunct. I guess because sometimes that technology doesn't necessarily do a job better. Before Skype, I used to use ICQ. I knew how to use TDY terminals to keep in touch with my deaf friends. I had a cable way back in 1970 twenty years before they became available here, and as soon as digital phones came down the block, I had one. I sat here counting the number of computers I've had over the last twenty years, and I think I am up to six PCs, my first one custom-built before they became available in box stores. However, I just bought my first laptop and had to ask my kids how to turn the danged thing off. LOL. I do know older people who refuse to learn anything electronic. It can bite them in the butt, it can. But, so much of the new stuff coming down the block are toys and expensive ones at that. Fine, if you have the time and money to play. My DD and I have speculated about whether my father would have gotten into computers had he lived past his 81st birthday. We both concluded that he'd have the best systems out there and have them figured out forward and backward.

To turn off a program in W8, press the 5th button from the left (the "X" in the box) in the top row of keys. When you press the "power" button to shut your machine off, that is just a short term power off. To get to the controls for longer shutdown, press the Windows window button (3rd button from left in bottom key row) and the letter "c" at the same time. Then click on the "Settings" icon, click the "Power" icon, and click the kind of closedown you want. The right panel you get up when you do the above can also help you to do many other things; just play with it a bit. The "Search" space at the very top can help you find just about anything regarding your computer that you want, if you can remember the name for it. There is a sort of traditional Start page (minus Start button) you can get by using the X I mentioned above. You should find the Explorer "e" on there somewhere. There is probably a W8 manual online somewhere; the documentation that comes with the new computers has almost nothing. I didn't like all the memory-draining videos that seem unavoidable when being directed to the Microsoft home page, so I went to Google and downloaded their Chrome browser, which is what I am using right now. Good luck--it is quite an adjustment, but the changes make sense, sort of, after you get used to them. Here is a link that might be useful: Microsoft Windows 8 Product Guide

Ok...I just copied what it said I needed from the instructions. The installation from my old Dell was all on one disk. I'd be afraid I'd mess up the installation if it ended up on multiple CDs. Maybe I should say that there would be more chance for error on my part. The instructions also said that the USB key should have a minimum capacity of 8 GB. Well, when I go to Control Panel, I see there are 45 programs now with total space of 1.12 GB. So what gives with them saying I need a minimum of 8GB? I'm guessing that it would all go on one of the disks at the link below. About them...it says, "This recordable DVD features AccuCORE technology which is 100x more scratch resistant than standard discs. Fights static, repels stains and fingerprints" Here is a link that might be useful: 25 DVD+RW Re-Recordable DVD 4.7GB

Hi to Ravencajun...thanks for the warnings. I looked at the links and did a google search and while it may be a hit or miss kind of thing and I may get "burned" by wildblue....I can not tell you how fed up I am with dial up. Willing to try anything!!! I looked into aircards too but not available in my area. At least not that I could find. My tech knowledge is very limited (read 33rpm in an I=pod world) and I generally rely on my children to guide me along. All I can say is hopefully the satellite thing will work out for me. It seems to be only option other than dial up at this point. I will try to post again and let you know how it works out for me. Please wish me luck. Murphy