Slight drift here but Mark, as you know I've been on/off dabbling with Linux with a sometime future view of moving entierely off Windows (I refuse to go to XP and the continued MS polocies so when Win 2K stops being supported it is the end of the line for me) but have found that dual boot is impractical (always something I need on Windows so I never boot Linux) and I could do without 2 PCs...

This time round, after reading this thread, I have decided to try Cygwin as at least a means to an end. Which brings me to your comment: "you'll definately need a broadband connection". I've just managed a successful minimal install (let's say I at least have bash running) by downloading the files and installing locally over a 28.8K connection.

(Still have a lot to learn and other downloads to do but am unlikely to do that for a week or more - should have a PSR290 keyboard tommorrow and also planning on getting an Ibanez 5 string bass so I think my time will be fully occupied with other interests for a while...)

Jon