Hi Russell,

>>> Yep! just sorry I never had the oportunity to learn to program way
>>> back when I was young, other wise I'd have good ol' bash at doing so
>>> myself. :-)

>> Hey, it's not too late :)

> No, it is not too to start, but, I cannot afford to buy me the two three
> books that I would need as references, putting three kids thru school is not
> cheap here, and besides I don't have much time at my disposal either.

Oh, I know that's true ... I'm still helping out my daughter with
Grad school.  I understand, really.  It's not easy, and it gets expensive..

Ron and I are completly self-taught (well I did later take a course at a
college to get some credit for the languages I taught myself ). 
We did spend a lot on books, compilers and operating systems . Our
kids were young at the time, and we started while Ron was working full time
as a manager for his firm.. he'd come home from work, and I'd teach him all
the stuff I'd taught myself that day..  We'd work til about 2-3 in the
morning (yeah he probably dragged his butt at work the next day, I'm sure
)  After about a year of that or so, we sold our house, and lived
on that money while we continued learning more and then set up our own
software company.. it wasn't easy, but it was neat to do. That lasted about
5 years, and then Ron got a job with the software firm he's working with
now, FP Technologies. But our aim was to enter the computer field as full
time employees.. many people don't go that far, and I can understand their
not wanting to, or not being able to do so.

> Also if I am going to do any amout of programming then I definitely want a
> faster system than I have at present. :-)

Sure, when you get to a point, that's true.

Maybe you can find some decent online tutorials that are free and have a
look at them one day when you find yourself with a little time on your
hands..    I
know those days don't come often, but for me at least, it happens now and again.

Take care,
Janis

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