I hope I'm not violating any rules by posting my question here, or if I am that someone will inform me via PM. I asked a question before but didn't receive a response, so I don't know whether it was ignored because I'm not Christian, because it was perceived as argumentative, in bad faith or for some other reason. It's still a mystery to me.

Anyway, not being a Christian, I'm ignorant of a lot of aspects of Christianity, and none more so than my limited grasp of the Trinity. I know it has been discussed ad infinitum here and elsewhere, but without embarking on an extensive research project, I don't know where to find my answer.

In short, in terms of orthodox understanding of the Trinity, how does the Holy Spirit differ from the Father? In other words, what properties does the Holy Spirit possess that the Father does not, and vice versa? Where in the literature can I find where in the bible this question is answered, or perhaps an example or two which might illuminate the fuller difference. In my dim bulb, the Father is this immense and powerful spirit thing, and the Holy Spirit, well I guess I never gave it much thought.

Can someone help me understand the difference?