area51 wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> I have a rather large HOSTS file, 525KB. Will the size or duplicate
> entries slow down surfing?

Only if you are using Win2K/XP. If you are then stop the DNS Service.

> Is there a software program that will
> check it for duplicates and delete them?

I use HOSTESS to manage my HOSTS file and this is one of its features.
http://accs-net.com/hostess/