I wished that worked. I am in that sistuation and it isn't working like I hoped it would. Mind you that could be because what I thought would be mind numbing has worked out to be quite a fun place to work. No programming, mainly help desk and IT administration.

What is Linux Mint? Is this the most popular best distro of Linux?

That's weird,
Here http://www.postgresql.org/about/users Postgres claims Apple as a featured user.

Wasn't that the gist of the anti-monopoly suit - Microsoft isn't allowed to value add to the operating system?

IF that was the problem where microphone input was pumped directly to the speakers then can I suggest you go to the creative site and download their driver for Windows 7. Works a treat.

I have bought 50 - 150 Dell Optiplex at a time over 4 years number over 450 in total, not one has failed out of the box. We bought 25 iMacs last year and one DOA. Anecdotally then, 4% of Apple iMac fail and 0% of Dell Optiplex fail.

The GP was trying to say that being on a computer with windows and browsing with IE = owned. I am saying that it is not that simple.
I suggest that by being reasonsably responsible and aware of what evils are out there you are halfway to the solution.
Argueing about an anecdote without context makes yours even more invalid, particularly as I did provide example of where irresponsible computing = owned.

What astonds me is how ready we are all to accept that we owe all virus and malware to Windows but the fact is that others are making great money out of easing (i.e. not solving) the problem.
They are eager to lock people in to annual subscription software.
They have no way of surviving if operating systems where invulnerable.
This theory even works with the argument that it is not profitable to target Linux and Mac systems due to market share.

I would like to think the guys administering servers have them locked down much better then Joe Sixpack has his pc at home.

Just wonder... If I was a scammer, wouldn't I just pick up on someone else's work and expand on it, maybe improve it. Why re-invent the wheel?
You can't possibly deny that most of these millions of Windows Exploits are merely derivations of earlier efforts?

By your arguments "Trying to use Windows to browse the web and use email" I would have thought in the 21 years since I graduated Uni, 14 years since I started using Netscape or IE 1 on Windows 95, I should have been regularly getting virus from the get go.
This is not the case.
Wish I could prove his to you.
I did go through a period where I regularly ran virus protection and anti-spyware, but could't be bothered to upgrade it on to the next machine, as it usually didn't pick up anything
The majority of my experience with infected machines comes from my friends when their kids start using Lime wire.

Fortunately, the search facility (found on the Start menu) allows you to just type cmd and it will find the program for you to run.

If by idiot you mean unable to read the numerous notices that the site was put up as an April fool's joke, then yes you should be worried.

Beta had 32-Bit and 64-bit downloads.

You Sir, are an Anonymous Coward.

Did you realize that you are the Parents first born?