I m new in using Debian 5.0 , my wireless doesn't work i make a search to know how to do it.
So i open "Terminal"
$ su (press enter)
i wrote the pwd
than when i wrote : # gedit/etc/apt/sources.list
i found this:
bash: gedit/etc/apt/sources.list: No such file or directory

i didn't know what to do , i proceed with: # apt-get install ipw3945 modules-$(uname-r) ipw3945d firmware-ip3945
bash: uname-r: command not found
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package ipw3945

Please tell me what to do in details (i m new my first time to deal with any linux system)

You need to be more careful reading instructions - and entering them. Commands need to be separated from their parameters.
"gedit" is the command - put a blank/space after it. Same for "uname".

The ipw3945 package no longer exists. You need to type on a command line (as root) exactly this command
jdk

I tried and it din't work here what i got:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package firmware-iwlwifi

Do you have the non-free part of the repo enabled?

This is where the "gedit /etc/apt/sources.list" from the previous instructions applies.

Open that file and add this bold part (yours may differ depending on your mirror)

Why when i did i got this:

bash: deb: command not found

is it because that i install the first debian DVD1 only and what do i have to do , i feel lost thanks for ur helps

You put that line INSIDE the /etc/apt/sources.list file, you DON'T run it as a command on the terminal!

Give me some time to break the procedure into smaller steps that will require only terminal usage...

...I wish I knew what packages are included in the dvd

Ok here goes.

Assuming that you have an internet connection active, eg connected with wired interface, open the terminal, switch to root and write the following, line by line. Once done, reboot.

The first line will get you my text in the relevant file, the second will update apt's list and the third will install the package that your wireless card needs.

I am assuming no responsibility for duplicate lines inside that file, eg

will get you your updates and packages from a german mirror and

will get you your updates and packages from an italian one.

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JIMMMMMMM you are greatttttt it worksssss i don't know how you did it but you r a GREAT Teacher

but can you tell me what did you meant by :"You put that line INSIDE the /etc/apt/sources.list file, you DON'T run it as a command on the terminal!"
and how i was suppose to it if it's possible if not THANK YOUUUUU anyway

Lesson one, first and last.

- If you really want to learn, and not just type things in a terminal like cheat codes on a game, try to understand what they do. If not understand, then at least guess. Then ask.
Else, you will be like my younger brother who only knows the "killall firefox-bin" as a "cheatcode" that closes firefox when it's stuck.

- 99% of linux configuration files is plain and simple text, placed in the right order. The text is placed on the right file, the file is placed on the right folder, the application finds it and follows the configuration you want. Simple as 1-2-3.
The file you had to edit was "/etc/apt/sources.list". The same file edited wrong or placed in the wrong location is as useless as a text file saying "jim" 1000 times.

- Since it's plain text, it can be edited with a simple text editor. ANY text editor will do. Gedit was suggested because it comes preinstalled with gnome. It could be anything like nano, geany, vim, kate, leafpad and so on.
The only reason to choose one over the other is what YOU feel comfortable with.
So, in your situation, the task was open "this" file with "that" editor.

- Now that you understand what opens with, you move one step further. Inserting text to them.
That is why bash said "bash: deb: command not found". That line was supposed to be INSIDE the file, not to be run from the terminal.
In order to understand that... read more carefully or ask.

- The rest are stuff that you learn as you raise your experience. For instance, there is a reason I have put ">>" and not ">" there.
The first would append the text, after the echo command, to the requested file. The second one would write the text in the requested file, deleting everything else inside it!

- Moreover, some common sense is required.
E.g. someone thinks "I use a mirror from Italy as my main mirror and I have this line inside my sources.list

and Jim suggests adding "contrib" and "non-free" to what I have. Plus he uses a mirror from Germany"

The important part is to add "contrib" and "non-free" to what you have. This will get you the "WHAT" part of the stuff you want.
The trivial part is the mirror from which you will get it from. This is the "WHERE FROM" part for the stuff you want.
It is trivial because all mirrors are identical to each other, so you don't really care where you will get what you need, as soon as you get it

- The terminal is by far the shortest way of doing something. Doing it through gui (user interface) would make all of us post directions like "go there, click that menu, from the dropdown list select that" and so on.

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