hey all, I need help. How do I get online without having to do it through root? I know there's a way, but I can't seem to figure out how. Help!!

what are you doing as root, and what happens if you're not root?

WHen I am in root I first go to the terminal and type in insmodpctel and insmod ptserial. Then I go to the control panel and click into the network config. where I activate the ppp WHen I am outside of root, none of those options are available. .Is it possible to initialize the ppp as root, and then sign off and get on as a different user? I am truly lost!

installing modules (using insmod) can only be done as root, but they remain installed after the fact. it is possible to have the modules load only when you need them, but for now you should probably have them load when the machine boots. add pctel and ptserial to the /etc/modules file.
for setting up ppp: I'm not familiar with the control panel you're refering to. my experience with ppp has been that only users who are members of the dialout group can setup the connection. I'm not sure how universal this is, but if your machine has a dialout group, add yourself to it

you can find a lot more information at http://en.tldp.org/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO/root.html

redhat uses wvdial to dial the isp there is faq that explains how to do it in wvdial s home page google wvdial first page but they do not RECOMMEND IT.

Thanks 0x4B and nakkaya for the help! I appreciate it!