when I first started in my cnc machines, I used the Linux Emc (see picture attached) and with just a little editing of the generic.ini file and their IRC channel, i was up and running fairly fast, However Mach3 is much better and my machines ran smoother to me (may have been just me) and i also can watch the machine with a webcam and also pcanywhere from my livingroom.
That gives me an idea, maybe we could start a Webcam series of peoples machines would be neat for some to watch who are building and not to mention the motivation for many of us.
Joe
BTW: Benny excellent job on the screens, it will definately be on my computer tonight.