My problem is that I don't know anything about this stuff. Not the programs to use or how. Im sure I can pick it up on my own with a little help but My first and biggest question is where do I get a free basic prog to start making programming or scripting. and I see CHMOD everywhere but no one says what it is as far as does it come with Windows or is it a standalone prog, or is something part of a larger program used in scripting. I can't even do the hello world thing cause I can't make an .exe file. Please help me so I can get started learning. Thanks

You are in a Linux forum talking about how to make .exe files and asking whether some utility comes with Windows......

What exactly do you want to do....
Learn programming?
Learn Windows?
Learn Linux?
Learn what CHMOD does?

You will find lots of help here if you can focus your questions a bit.

IM wanting to just make the code the shows Hello world on your screen that will ber thye first thing I ever do. in the larger picture I would like to learn all of it. if thats possible.
but I DL textpad and Im just trying to make the saved txt file and .exe one so I can get started with the basics. If you have any suggestions for a different approach Im all ears.
but first question will be how do I make that .txt file into a .exe file so I can see Hello world on my screen

Your first bash script:
echo "Hello world!" > ./script.sh; chmod u+x script.sh

Now, just run it:
./script.sh

See man bash for detailed help on bash scripting.

Look into your /bin, /sbin, /usr/bin, /usr/sbin, /usr/local/bin for programs that you can call from your script. Use "man <programname> for info on any of them, just to see what they do.

Google the web for bash howto-s, and examples.

the problem with that is that I don't know how to look in those places and I don't know where I go run run that stuff. I don't see that option in my textpad I just DLed. So Im completely clueless. I think once I just get that part i should be able to figure alot more of it out myself.

I'm not gonna hold your hand while you learn to write programs, but here are a couple of links that should help you get started:

Java hello world
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutor...java/unix.html

C hello world
http://www.bellevuelinux.org/create_c1.html

Let me give you an idea of my skills, I bought my first comp about 3 years ago and I have not used it for anything other than email and to play games. So I don't know what you mean when you say look into your /bin.
I don't know where to type these codes. or where to type the line to make it run.

So Im starting off with the extremely basics on where to go and how to use. Thats what I have not been able to find in the how-to sites. I need this info first before I can use those to play around and start learning.

I don't think it can get any simpler than the bellevuelinux site I linked above. If that's beyond you, then just try to get an understanding of the things on the site one at a time. It'll come.

Yeah I just checked it out that site is great for me. I think It will help out alot Thank you very much

I would think that taking the time to actually learn a bit about the operating system would come before learning to program for that operating system. Aren't you putting the cart before the horse while the horse is still in the barn?

To me the situation seems like this;

a) Grumm wants information on getting started in programming at the most basic level

AND

b) The only OS currently installed is windows

Maybe I'm missing something. I seem to recall something about being able to have bash running in windows???

What versions of windows or linux are you running?
Textpad is a windows general purpose text file editor. If you do not know what a text file is (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text_file). You can write programs using textpad but you will need a compiler to create an exexcutable program.

There are many free compilers and Integrated Developement Environment applications(IDE) you can download.

http://www.turboexplorer.com/homepage

BTW chmod is a linux command for changing file permissions. I suggest going down to your local library or book store and find some basic books on windows and programming. I think it will more helpful then just googling the internet.

I am a very new user on a home computer. I bought a laptop (dell Inspiron 5100) I don't know why, but I did. I bought a router (Netgear) and PC card WG511v2 and it worked fine. All of a sudden I can't use it. Must I buy a new one or is there something else that I can do that I can understand. I DO NOT KNOW the terminology at all. Any normal person answers wold be appreciated.

well, pat, this is a very difficult post to reply to, for a couple of reasons.

1) This is a forum about linux (linuxquestions.org... it's even in the name), and it sounds like you are running windows? Please correct me if I'm wrong. (My assumption is based on the fact that most laptops come with windows installed)

2) Your question doesn't apply to the thread -- If you would like help, you can post to a new thread, with an appropriate title, but a great many people (myself included) will suggest that you install linux instead of windows, then come back and ask your question.

3) Suggestion: install linux (or ask us how to install linux). Then come back and ask about networking.

4) I'm sure there are forums out there for wireless networking in Windows.