some beginner questions
 

-my vpn connection constantly gets disconnected in linux mint but not in my windows 7 or mac os 10.5.8 and there are no retry options in here in case the connection drops?
-is there any multi protocol proxy server software available for linux (socks,http,https)? preferably free.
my google search returned that Squid is the most popular proxy software for linux but its either freakishly hard to install and use or there is just no simple beginner guide for it.
-what's the hotkey to switch between workspaces?

Newbie here as well.
Do not know the answer to your first 2 questions but the answer to the third one i believe is
CTRL+ALT+(Left/Right arrows)

Hope this helps.

1st question:
Tell us more about what type of vpn client and protocols you are using and we might be able to give you more info.

2nd question:
Some tutorials
http://sugizo.wordpress.com/2010/02/...-dansguardian/

It has some extra stuff in this one but use google and you should be able to find what you are looking for. I used keyworks (Linux Mint install squid) to get that one

Use your package manager it looks like it has a pre build package.

3rd question:
Yes CTR+ALT (LEFT,RIGHT) Arrow Keys changes workspace

good luck

@Vegan
thank you

@jmc1987
-i have a vpn service bought from Witopia.net.im not using any specific vpn client just the built-in one and its a simple ppoe vpn.
-thank you for this link i have actually installed squid but there were no manual. ill give this a shot
-thank you for the hotkeys as well

Actually, it's window manager dependent. I use Openbox and it's Super+Left and Super+Right by default here.