there are no posting protocols that i know of . . . and I do capitalize proper nouns. i just choose not to capitalize the first words of sentences in an effort to be more efficient and to send a shout-out to e. e. cummings. that being noted, here are the categories of forums here at MacTech:

Marketplace
Deals, promos, ads, and support.

Mac
Everything related to the Mac.

iPhone / iPod Touch
Got a tip, trick, or question? Or just want to discuss the iPhone and iPod Touch products? Here's the place.

General Discussion
Forums for general discussion

Apple doesn't even have a netbook offering. and if they did, it wouldn't run Linux by default . . . ever. this seems to be a natural topic to fit in the General Discussion as opposed to a Mac forum to discuss "everything related to the Mac."

You are right, it belongs in this section.

Windows and Virtualization
Running Windows, Linux or another OS on your Mac? Comments on Windows or non-Apple systems? Here's your place to talk about it.

better. it's still in the overall Mac forum, but i suppose finding a perfect fit for Dell and Ubuntu on a Mac site shouldn't be expected. the whole topic should be discouraged. heh.

Well that was my first thought too, which is why there should have never been an issue, it was put where thought best. Plus add notebook into the equation and it's bloody mind boggling.

As far as the laptop goes, the one I saw with an Atom processor was dismally slow on the internet. I had to download some drivers and it was painful experience.

They were just using it to control a labeling machine and print reports wirelessly, and it was working for that so I didn't bother to troubleshoot the internet. I'll be curious to see how it works out if you get one.

yeah, the RAM limits on these machines (most are 1GB; a few have an acceptable 2GB) as well as the processor speeds and poor graphics card leaves much to be desired. i am in a quandary for sure. while i am doing work with a school that is using all open source and another that is soon ordering netbooks, i also wouldn't mind using my funds to get a quality chair here at home since i work at home 98% of the time. so, i am thinking of a few models of chairs here: http://www.sit4less.com/ (i'd maybe have to shell out some of my own money as well depending on the model). but my back would sure appreciate it.