It is a good idea for all Patriots to learn as much as they can about Computers and Computer Geek Speak.

Linux is an Operating System (OS) like Windows.

Ubuntu and Mint plus several others are versions of Linux like Win XP and Win 7 are versions of Windows.

A Live CD/DVD means that the Operating System can function without first being Installed, which means the Computer does not need a Hard Drive for it to work.

To use a Live CD/DVD the computer has to be set to Boot off the CD/DVD Drive just as it has to be set to Install an Operating System.

You insert the Live CD/DVD and then turn off the computer and then turn it back on.

The Computer will Boot off the CD/DVD which has the Linux Live CD/DVD.

You will then have a choice to either Install Linux or to Try Linux before you do an Install, kind of like take it for a Test Ride.

If you click on Try Ubuntu if you have a Ubuntu Disk, the Disk will load itself into Memory but it will not be installed on a Hard Drive, and in fact a Hard Drive does not even need to be installed in the Computer for the Operating System to function.

Since a Hard Drive is needed to be able to store anything permanently when the Computer is Powered off everything that is in temporarily in Memory is lost or erased from Memory.

Memory is referred to as Volatile Storage since it only holds it's data as long as the System is Powered on once the Power is turned off every thing that is stored in Memory is lost unless it has first been saved to Non-Volatile Memory like a Hard Drive or Thumb Drive etc.

So running a Computer off a Live CD/DVD means everything like the Browser's History and Cookies will be erased soon after you turn off the Computer, it will be like it was never there.

Now a VPN is a server that to make it simple, changes your IP address and some like the two I listed do not keep any Server Logs which means that if you registered on AWRM using a VPN which does Not Keep Logs and always used that VPN to post on AWRM your real location and identity would be protected. Of course you would also need to have registered for the Email that you used when you registered at AWRM using the same VPN otherwise you could be tracked down via your Email.

As to encryption if someone doesn't want to encrypt there entire Computer it is possible at least with Outlook Express and Thunderbird to change where the your Email is stored so what can be done is to use True Crypt to create an Encrypted File and to set the Email Application to store all the Emails in the Encrypted File.

If you do that all the emails you receive along with any attachments will be hidden from anyone who does not have the Password to that file where your Email is kept.

All you need to remember besides the password is to open and decrypt the file where the Email will be stored before you open your Email Application and to Turn off you Email Application and then to dismount the encrypted file before you leave your Computer unattended, or if your System is set up to Hibernate instead of completely shutting down.