Greetings! I've been "lurking" for awhile and decide to join in. First may i say "Thank you" this forum is very helpful. I will be visiting a friend in Cheboksary later in the year (first time) and doing some homework.

I'm also in the middle of a crash-course in Russian and will start soon with a teacher. I wish to share a site that has been helpful, it is voice interactive and covers different languages; [www.languageguide.org] this works pretty well and fish around if i've linked the wrong page.

Now for the questions;

> I've been cautioned before about domestic flights within Russia and curious about the Moscow - Cheboksary flight. Is this dependable, and how far in advance is reccomended to book? Does anyone know an approximate cost and contact info?

> Next, sorry if it's clueless... what type (brand) of computers are common here? For example if i plug an English keyboard into one is it likely to work? I have a portable laptop but hoping for another way.

> Are there other sites with more information that i'm not finding because they are in Russian?

Thanks in advance, the post with pictures and map on first page are great! (see for mad max)
-Joseph

Sorry, i've found most of the answers already posted below, except for the computer which i can find another way. It seems like going through Kazan is a much better way, 12 hours on a train is not appealing after a12 hour plane ride! I just add one other thing; I met a girl from there,, we had first date already in Europe for 2 weeks and next i will visit her there. (she's awesome!) After this i post some pictures and join in. Once again "Thanks" this is most interesting and helpful.

Highlander,I think you can plug your keyboard to any comp in Russia,they look the same.
If you will take a laptop,there wi fi available in MacDonald's in Cheboksary and some restaurants,also lot of people at home have unlimited internet,most likely your lady does.
About flights to Cheboksary:
There flights from Vnukovo airport [www.rusline.aero]
unfortunately their website is only in Russian ,flights at 17:45 (5:45 p.m.),every day,except Saturdays.
It is 1 hour flight by CRJ Canadian jet,about 5000 rubles one way.
Probably at the airport they speak in English [www.vnukovo.ru]

And also from Domodedovo: [www.domodedovo.ru]
Fligts from Moscow to Cheb. ,I think company called UTR,there is a small plane AN 24,cost around 4300 rubles one way.
They fly every day at 21:26(9:26 p.m.).It is about 1,5 hour flight.
This summer I flew from Vnucovo , Moscow and to Domodedovo coming back.
Planes are not full and you can buy tickets at any time.

Thank you Oksana ! Is very helpful, i find cheap flight to Moscow through Delta, they have daily flights departing from Atlanta, my ticket was $630 (round trip) which includes connection to Atlanta.

Also, i live on the east coast but have friends on Whidby Island and visit there often, what a nice area!

You are welcome