I am new to this but have a desire to learn. I have 2 network cards, both working and configured. I have installed mandrake 9.2. The network configuration asks me for my local host name and I don't understand what is needed. I use a cable modem and a router. The status of all networking devices shows as being connected. I do not have an internet connection and when Gnome 2.4 starts it does not operate properly. What is required in the "local host name" field. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Otis

n/t

That isn't quite accurate.. It paints the wrong picture about localhost.
localhost is special, it's a special name that should always point to yourself. There is an entry about it .. and don't change that. If you do, a lot of things will start to break. localhost is called a loopback adress. It loops back to your computer, so.. localhost:80, points to the HTTP port on your computer.
A "local host name" is completely different from localhost. The local host name is the name of your computer. That's preety much it
The thing where it says <localhostname@something> Means.. <my computer's name @ my domain's name>
Like....
quanta@something.net

Just wanted to clear that up , and to warn.. breaking localhost is very very bad. I don't even think X will start up...

thanks teval, the way you said it was closer to what i meant. i changed it to read "your computer is the local host name" -- is that a more accurate way to phrase it? [edit: actually i am removing the post to avoid causing any confusion with the "localhost" example.]

btw, i think it would be user@quanta.something.net, wouldn't it?

Yup, that's email, I meant bash-prompt-wise
Most people don't ever set up an email acct that they use. Most bash-prompts have it like that by default.