The computer on which I run Linux had a hardware problem and wouldn't boot up;
overthesun took it and fixed it in half an hour by resetting the BIOS chip. Thanks,
overthesun!
I've also had a software problem for months: the
Firefox web browser wouldn't start. Even uninstalling and reinstalling it didn't fix this. I logged on to
the chat channel of
Ubuntu Linux, and within half an hour the friendly folks there had identified the problem and took me step-by-step through setting things right. Somehow
Firefox was living in a directory called "firefox" when it was expected to be living in a directory called "mozilla-firefox". All my buttons and menu items that were supposed to open this application were looking for it in the wrong place. The
Ubuntu free tech support volunteers helped me create a symbolic link, so that when the buttons looked in the wrong place they'd be directed to the right place; since then all has been well. Thanks,
Ubuntu volunteer folks! The good reputation of this "Linux for Human Beings" distribution is well-deserved!