I haven't found much about connecting to the internet with linux. Can someone explain to me what I need to know before I connect?

As far as I know, you boot a version of linux make sure you have a connection set up and start using konquerer or firefox and that's it. It can't be that simple. What about firewalls, don't I need to set one up?

Maybe someone can point me to some useful documentation.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure your computer is physically connected to whatever gives it an Internet connection, install Linux, chances are you'll be able to access the Internet from the Linux install. Stop worrying about problems you don't know for sure exist and just try it!
If you want to check things out before committing to an install then get a live CD, such as Ubuntu or Kubuntu, boot off it, and see if you have an Internet connection.
Don't worry about Firewalls unless you actually have a specific reason to worry about Firewalls.

Thanks. I've played around with knoppix 5.1.1 live cd and I just finished downloading the 8.0.4.1 ubuntu version (probably upgrade that one to the latest soon). But I haven't actually connected to the internet with them yet, haven't had much time to experiment with linux.

I've used linux only briefly to reset a windows nt password from an old p3 laptop that was given to me which was on it's way into the garbage bin. I had much difficulty using the knoppix live cd because it didn't come with the chntpw file and the memtest came in handy to determine the laptop had a bad memory slot. Anyways I was able to bring the laptop back from the dead. The liveCD works well on it but I still have much to learn.

Are you looking for wireless, dial up, or ethernet?

Regarding setting up, on a difficulty rating ethernet is the easiest. I should work out of the box.

I never used dial up with linux so I can't help you there.

Wireless is a bit more difficult. You will need to determine your wireless card's chipset.

Depending on your wireless card will depend weather it will work out of the box or not.

Trying to get many of the wireless cards to work can take some time and work.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...CardsSupported