Hi, I installed Debian linux and use the Gnome desktop environment. Not totally sure what versions I have... maybe?

Gnome 1.4 it says on startup
OS: Linux version 2.2.20-idepci
Distribution version: 3.0

(am I up to date? or way outdated?)

Anyway, my problem is that the mouse behaves very poory. Its a perfectly functioning GE optical mouse, but it feels like an old worn out ball-mouse. I turned acceleration all the way up, and the speed threshold to a comfortable point. However, when I move it around, then stop and start again its slow to get going again. Stuck at slow speeds? Its hard to explain. At first I thought it was snapping onto links and menu bars, but I don't think thats the case. Its VERY annoying, seems like something my windows computer would do.

How do I turn that off? I don't even know what its called. =(

Thanks in advance!

I don't have an answer to your mouse question but... as regards to how up to date you are, the current stable versions for what you have listed are:

Kernel: 2.6.10
Gnome: 2.8
Debian: 3.0

However, this is debian stable... so your versions are correct.