Hi all,
I have visited LinuxQuestions before but only recently realised it might be fun to join in too.
I have used Linux for maybe four-five years. I originally decided I should begin using Linux for ideological reasons and in order to annoy Bill Gates (not that he cared, probably)

and rushed into it headlong: I was familiar with computers on an everyday level, but I knew nothing about Linux. I do not have training in any technical field and I have mainly have been using the good old trial-and-error method.
That's why I think I am a kind of half-newbie; I have learned to do some things because of specific problems that I have had (though getting something to work does not necessarily mean I would understand
why it works) but might be ignorant in some other, basic stuff.
Later Bill Gates gave his money to charity but I was already in too deep...
Besides, I do think open source development is the better way for many reasons. I did just install Windows XP on a dual boot machine (more about that in the appropriate forum) because I need it for certain software, but Linux is my OS of choice.
I started with RedHat and switched then to Debian. Now I have Ubuntu and Windows XP on a desktop machine and Debian on an old laptop (Pentium II). I tend not to have the latest hardware so I am alway s looking for the lighter options in install, software and desktop environments (these options are one of the reasons I prefer Linux).
My activiness on the forums will probably depend on my "real" work and other schedule but hope to see you around.
Petra