BDI install with DRO/Encoder board

Is it a good idea to have the DRO/Encoder board installed before the BDI?
If so, does anyone have a phone # for Camtronics? There doesn't seem to be
one on the web site, at least I couldn't find one.

As I've been watching the list I'm getting a little nervous about fooling
with Linux.

Another silly question about the BDI, can Linux be used as an operating
system without running EMC so I can use some kind of web browser? If so,
what would be the best browser?

Thanks

Ethan