First of all, you are right about my friend. He may be a techie but not a very good one. However, you're totally wrong abt A+. I'm doing the course so that I can take the exam, and sorry to say (I'm not trying to offend you), but there is a software component/element to it. In fact, even my trainer (he's been a level 3 software technician for the last 16 years) tells me that Vista is rubbish. I can't be wrong, when so many "educated" people are telling me not to use Vista! Probably you guys are so awed and overwhelmed by the "Glass" features and other resource-hogging themes that everything else is overshadowed. I seriously think it is time you recheck your opinion on Vista. Sincerely, Caleb