Well said.

Sounds like rsync on a cron job. Or a timed batch file backup with "changes only" option selected. I haven't set one up like that since the 486 days, but it certainly isn't new or Apple only. I had a setup like that configured to backup a law firm I used to do contract work for; every night the modem would call my system and download changes only to my backup device. This created an off site backup and only took about 5 min a night. We didn't have broadband everywhere back then, around 1990.

Your wanting to have choices is exactly the point. Buy Apple and you are afforded all the choices THEY offer/filter/censor. Buy another product and be limited to all of the choices available that are compatible, not filtered or censored. Currently, you have more choices with the Apple product, however they may not have quality functionality for most of them - Flashlight, Finger Hold Game, etc...

These are choices but I prefer to use products that warn me of potential difficulty and allow me to make mistakes.

That is good to know. I did not realize that "Time Machine" was more than a settings backup. However, the combination of a full backup to secondary media and system restore points contained therein would amount to basically the same. Again, this combination has been around a long time. In fact, simply dating the backup tapes, disks or otherwise can accomplish the same. Apple put a nice interface and a cool name on it. I like the cool name and always appreciate a clean interface.

I don't like calling something by a new name and claiming it is unique as if there is no other comparable option for getting the same result. There are also many third party software programs that have been around many years on the PC side to do this job, however lacking a cool name and slick interface.

I've noticed the same thing. I love that they are the only company with "Time Machine" because MS uses "System Restore" which is clearly a different name. However, if you try and explain to an Apple fan that they are essentially the same only "System Restore" has been around a lot longer, they just move right along with conversation like you didn't say anything. It is amazing. If you try and point out that Apple is basically selling them an expensive UI on a free OS platform, they insist that Apple invented it. If you point out that all the hardware is now PC compatible components, they again insist that they are not the same. The only difference I see is the blessing and Apple logo on the box. I figure it just takes a few years for a cult to really gain momentum. Now, I don't think Apple is evil. Lots of companies charge extra for their label. Car companies have entire divisions that are the added frills for twice the price - Honda and Acura, Toyota and Lexus come to mind. You do get a little more for the extra money, but not enough to justify designer prices for standard components in a shiny box. IMHO.

I purchased an older laptop on Craigslist, installed a self customized live CD with childrens games, drawing, noise makers etc... Buy a $5 mouse and $10 or less keyboard. Next, open the machine flat and place it at a small kids table with only the monitor sticking up into view. This works great to keep the machine safe and monitor at the back of the table almost out of reach. Next, zip tie the cords for the mouse and keyboard to the leg of the table so when they send it flying it does not damage the connector on the laptop. One more thing, break off a toothpick under the right mouse button. If you skip the toothpick it will take a long time before they figure out that only one of the mouse buttons actually works. Laptop travel mice come in smaller formats and fit great in a childs small hand. For a while, my daughter who is now 3, went through a phase where she liked to pull the keys out of the keyboard. This was great, she is learning how things go together and come apart. She had long quit putting things in her mouth before she was strong enough to do this. Now she likes to sit and paint on a Reader Rabbit game for about 10min a day. Really, to her it is just another toy. The nice thing is, it is a toy she understands. She also has a basic understanding of the relationship of mouse and screen as well as icons and activities. My son went through this same phase but never pulled the keys out. Both of my kids are very active. They prefer to ride bikes in the yard, build forts from the couch, color with crayons, throw paper airplanes from upstairs to downstairs and watch their favorite programs on TV when allowed. My nephew, who is about 8 months younger than my son is never allowed to touch a computer. At family gatherings, he will stand and stare at a computer for hours while the other kids run around, play with tracks, hot wheels, dolls and toy kitchens. I don't think it is solely the lack of computer exposure, but I do think if he had exposure it would help get him away from it when there are other fun activities. I think computers for this generation are as basic a household item as a TV was for us. Helping them understand it early will give an advantage of understanding in the future. It will also make it less magical to them. If there are other kids around, my kids still prefer to run and play. So my point is that you need to limit and be in control of your childs computer time, right from the beginning. I do not believe this is going to ruin a child any more or less than a TV set. Just do not forget that you are the parent and you know what is best. Here is a live CD I made that opens Firefox to the Disney games page on the web with no address bar and no exit other than powering down. Basically it becomes an unofficial Disney Kiosk. It is the last item on the list of files. http://www.homesopen.com/slax581/other/ Keep in mind that everyone will be quick to give you advise about how to raise your kids. You know best what your kids are capable of and what you want to do for them. Just don't forget that you are the parent. Always be in control of your child, not the other way around and you will be OK. - Parent of two happy healthy kids.