Thanks very much for your replies (whether it be a welcome or some information) it is much appreciated.
i have 2-3 spare copies of windows 7, is linux or ubuntu and better than windows 7? I have been utilising the links provided by Isokivi and some research on how to start up a rig. I have been messing around with guiminer and cannot for the life of me get it to locate my graphics card to scope out how it all is set up. Are ATI graphics cards far superior?

From what i have gathered from my research and the comments from Isokivi, nyusternie and Gabi to hold off on the asics until delivered and proven since i dont know the full ins and outs of everything.

I know by doing research that ill be operating at a loss, in terms of electricity costs (that of which i do not pay for rarely), but i was thinking of just building a rough 250Mh/s machine just to refresh my knowledge of building computers and to test to see if i can build a rig. Then possibly look into a FGPA as mentioned before or just build another rig for the benefits of economies of scale. I completely understand that this is a community and also for some a main source of income, I also understand that I will be faced with some hurdles along the way and hopefully i can get to the stage of acquirering more knowledge then be able to impart it on others who are interested in bitcoins and their mining.

any other suggestions and criticisms are more than welcome.
thanks once again

Hey guys just 17minutes old and already gambling hahaha
heres my ID
1K7LXfadC7URivmpbuNv3YgwfS8HuhokPc
thanks in advance guys!

ok so as you you probably can see I am quite new here
I was just wondering whats the best way to get started, i tried setting up everything jsut to see how it all worked, and go the standard low 20mH/s from my laptop (i know its not good to mine on a laptop because of all the extra pressure put on the system). And was wondering whats the best way to get started in terms of hardware. Also whilst doing research i stumbled upon Butterfly tech with some new hardware. are these worth investing in? Should i build a proper PC for mining or build one that is cable of sustaining one of those units
thanks very much in advance for the info guys

Hey guys
a typical newbie here, I have been doing a fair amount of research and am very interested in bitcoin and mining. hope i can get soem mroe knowledge and start completely understanding this whole thing