booting or logging into the command line can be done in one of two ways: 1. start up in single user mode by holding down command (the apple key) and 's' as soon as you hear the startup chime 2. enable the "other (users)" option in the login window (i think by enabling the root account in NetInfo Manager - it's in one of the menu items), and log in as ">console" and yes, you can use the likes of lynx and others. There's a ports system for OS X called DarwinPorts (http://darwinports.opendarwin.org) with over 2500 different ports, all listed on their website. so if you want you can play around with nmap or irssi or whatever you want. the more popular alternative to DarwinPorts is Fink (http://fink.sf.net), based on apt from Debian. Fink's more popular because it has twice the number of ports and comes with a fancy, simple binary installer that needed no knowledge of how to use the terminal or CVS. DarwinPorts 1.0 though now has a binary installer so really, pick and choose the one you want based on your needs - some people install neither, some install portage for OS X which is still a little too new (http://www.metadistribution.org/macos/), some install just one, and some install everything. cheers jane
