This year I decided to try and get my grandmother online. Its going to be a challenge but I'm up to the task. I've managed to get her setup with an old PC I had and gave her some lessons over the holidays. She has done well so far. I just hope she doesn't get frustrated and give up.

I also made the plunge to get a new PC myself. I went with an AMD based board this time around. Its my first foray and will forever guide future purchasing decisions and recommendations. I've put the following together:

• AMD Athlon XP 64 Model 53
• Chaintech VNF4/Ultra NFORCE4/ULTRA mobo
• PQI Dual 1GB(2X512) DDR PC3200
• Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM 8MB WD740GD
• Hitachi 250GB SATA 8MB 13G0255
• Antec P160 Aluminum case
• Antec NeoPower 480
• Leadtek Geforce PX 6600GT TDH

Unfortunately I ordered the wrong CPU and haven't been able to enjoy my new baby. That is soo frustrating! I was so pissed when I figured that out (why doesn't this CPU fit on the mobo?). I nearly threw it as far as I could outside. Naturally I'm stuck in RMA purgatory and won't be getting a replacement until the middle of this upcoming week. Ugh!