You don't need to be a computer expert to use OSX or Ubuntu, that is the whole point. People are scared to try something different, even when it may suit them better. Ubuntu arrose out of the need for a distribution which anyone could just pick up and use as is. It needs no special training, figuring out, etc. as it is clearly laid out. Lots of software packages are available to install direct from their servers. Everything comes preconfigured like in Windows, but you have the option to learn to use the more advanced features.

Macs are based on Unix, Linux is based on Unix... Why don't you get a really cheap new PC and put Linux on for free. You can have the same spec and performance as a Mac for half the price or less. Software is a bit of an issue but many things run on WINE and either way GIMP/UFRAW are very good.

If you don't want to upgrade there is a light version of Ubuntu that may run on yor old machine.

As for Vista, it is a waste of space, money, time and effort. Absolutely appauling performance and useless features. Makes me think twice about ever getting an other M$ OS. I'll snap up a few more XP licence keys while I still can, LOL. Although I'm told Vista keys are backwards compatible so you can 'waste' a Vista licence to activate XP.

Get a new OS/Ubunu Linux? Ubuntu Linux instalations disks are great as you can live boot them to test the OS without installing anything at all.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Seeing as GIMP/UFRAW are originally Linux applications it would be a good idea to try out their native environment.

Ubuntu is easy to learn and doesn't have all the faffing about of other Linux distributions.

Photoshop Elements is enough for most people.

You can get free software to do the same work though.

GIMP is very effective, fast and easy to use as well as being completely free. You can even adjust RAW images prior to editing via UFRAW (Unidentified Flying RAW).

I use Lightroom for most of my adjustments, as I don't like heavily modifying my images, and Photoshop Elements 2 for everything I can't do in Lightroom.

You can try Silkypix Free version and see if you like that, Lightroom has a 30 day trial, but the price of the program itself has just gone up from £140 to £200.

Photoshop elements 4 and 5 are relatively cheap, but you can always Tyr GIMP and see how you get on.

I can have all of them delivered to me next day if I order before 3... There are pleant new arround...

PS. the Pentax K10D is a fibre reinforced plastic on a metal chassis. It is lighter than a metal camera and just as resistant, in fact more so because of all the seals. Plastics are very effective casing materials which are very easy to shape, plus it developes a lot less condensation than a metal case.

smc-FA Prime Lenses
31mm f1.8 AL 43mm f1.9 50mm f1.4
77mm f1.8

smc-DFA Macro Prime Lenses
50mm f2.8 Macro 100mm f2.8 Macro

smc-DA Prime Lenses
14mm f2.8 ED (IF) 21mm f3.2 Limited 40mm f2.8 AL
70mm f2.4 Limited

smc-DA Zoom Lenses
10-17mm f3.5-4.5 ED (IF) 12-24mm f4 ED 16-45mm f4 ED
18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL 50-200mm f4-5.6 ED

All available now for many places...

It takes a while for a new system to estabish itself. There may not be that many zoom lenses but there are a lot of good primes. I see nothing wrong with the Pentax lens lineup at the moment and it is being expanded.

What are you having so much trouble finding? There are a good number of lenses available and if not they can be ordered and be with you within a week or two at most.

If you have problems with pricing then just look at Nikon and Canon lineups, they are more expensive. Yes they have more low end lenses, but the quality is not very good (especially the zooms).

They are produced in very small quentities so a limited number are available at a given time.

You are not being very constructive are you?

Do you enjoy winding people up?

The 16-45 is actually quite a bit wider then the 18-55.

83° - 35° vs 76° - 29°

Secondly the 1.5x multiplier on Pentax DSLRs means 16 is 24 and 18 is 27.