neomage86 asks: "I recently had to set up a router for a small company, only five users at any given time, and the needed VPN capabilities are built in. So, instead of using a Cisco or other embedded router, I decided to just install Linux and IPTables on an old 200 MHz PII I had lying around. It's been working fine, and I'm thinking about doing something like this for a much larger network (3000+ users). Does anyone have suggestions on how much I will have to beef up the hardware to provide IP Masquerading for about 1000 users on a T3; provide network-layer filtering of the transmission; and route between 4-5 internal subnets?"

garananda asks: "In spite of being one of the very few sources for customized PC laptops pre-installed with various flavors of GNU/Linux, Qli Linux Computers is closed as of March 15th 2004 after serving the community for six years (thanks for all of your hard work). It is becoming easier to get Linux computers from some of the big vendors, but usually this means no hardware choices and no choice of preferred GNU/Linux distribution. Is any small company providing this service and succeeding (lots of hardware options for desktops, custom laptop options, multiple GNU/Linux distributions, and no mandatory 'Microsoft tax')? How do they do it? Given the low margins in the PC market and given the variance of component quality and component vendor reliability/prices, how would _you_ do it?" When one asks "How does one sell Linux", it's only fair to point out what you don't do. Beyond that, what are other recommendations do you have for putting Linux out there for consumers, in the hopes it will sell your hardware?

wmspringer asks: "Having recently gotten a Sony CD player, I've become increasingly frustrated with the provided SonicStage Simple Burner software. I like being able to record over 24 hours of music on one CD and the extra options atrac3plus offers, but I can't stand using the software anymore. Do slashdot readers have any suggestions as to the best software to use for burning atrac3plus format? On a related note, what is the highest data rate worth using?"

bobej1977 asks: "Happened to be perusing my local newspaper website and came across a link to one of those corny news websites, a la Dave Barry. Included were a couple of funny Fair-Use related stories. This got me thinking about how it's often easier to explain the idea of fair-use in terms of the absurdities that occur when people stop using their common sense. Anybody else have any interesting links/stories?" Read on for examples of what bobej means.

skrysakj asks: "I have been searching high and low for a hosting company that can provide SSL encrypted POP3 or IMAP at an affordable price. I'd like something that is shared, not dedicated, to keep costs down. I believe that pghoster.com is a good option, since they offer a personal SSL certificate, a dedicated IP address, and more. Has anyone else found another viable and cost effective solution? Other features, such as SPAM filters, control panels, PHP, MySQL are all 'standard' but I just can't seem to find a company that offers that extra mile for paranoid security freaks such as myself."

Dan asks: "I'm looking for an ISP that has double-byte capable Web mail. I have a small personal Web site where I blog on the Japanese game industry. The hosting at my current provider has been perfectly reliable, but I can't send or receive Japanese e-mail through their Web mail system, which can be a problem when I'm on the road. I'd prefer not to switch to a Japan-based hosting service because that would mean a Japanese UI for the Webmail, and I want to be able to give addresses to my friends that don't read Japanese. Does anyone know of a U.S. hosting service that might fill my needs? Thanks for all suggestions."

digitalamish asks: "Back in 2001 Slashdot had this Ask Slashdot about wiring a new house for networking. Some of the comments in that discussion talked about running fiber vs cat5e. It's more than two year later, I'm starting to build a house, and I'd like to update this topic. So, what's the current state of people's thinking. Is good old Cat-5e still good enough, is fiber a better option? What about other options like Cat-6? Or with the state of wireless, is wiring a house even worth it any more?"

itsAsony asks: "What are the free and paid repositories / portals where I can present my technical white papers (IT papers) that appeals and reaches a wide network of IT personnels such as engineers, technical management, IT sales, in the area of eBusiness & eBilling. I know of one such portal: ZDNet. Basically I am looking for an online portal and print & media source thru which I can present my case to the peer group, not a B-2-C, but peer-2-peer. Thanks for your help."

fromtheblueline asks: "As the last of her children leaves the house for college, my mother is planning on ditching her desktop, cable internet and landline in attempts to simplify and reduce bills. She doesn't use her PC for anything more than occasional emails and online purchases and her cell phone has pretty much made her landline obsolete. She emails me asking if there is a handheld that could replace these devices. I don't own one, don't need one (my SE616 and Powerbook is plenty), and really never bothered to research one. A quick search for anything decent reveals prices close to, or over, a low end notebook. As for access, unless she searches for open wifi points, I can't imagine mobile service being anymore competitive than a cable/DSL line coming into a house. Any recommendations, Slashdot?"