Hi everyone, I created a walkthrough video on how to install a BTC wallet, and how to start BTC mining using Phoenix 1.50 in the Eligius pool.  See how you can get started in less than 15 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L9zO-VnLrY

I hope you enjoy!

P.S. my reason for choosing Windows is because I use the computer for other things also.  Linux would work just as fine for BTC mining.  I use Phoenix 1.50 as a bitcoin miner because it gives me the best hashrate on my vid card.  And finally, I use the Eligius pool because there's no fee, the system is fair (counters pool-hopping), and they have a great stats system.  Also, you don't need to create an account with them, so it's the easiest to get started with.