I would really like to use Kubuntu on desktops at work (currently using XP) but I can't see how to do things like put the machine on a static IP or tell it to use DNS or specify DNS servers and in what order it should query them. If I change the hostname does it automatically create a DNS entry? I was expecting to find this sort of thing in System Settings>Network Settings but can't find anything, am I missing something here? There must be some way of doing it without having to drop to a command line or hacking config files.

as you're running kubuntu i suppose you are using
Knetworkmanager? Well there really aren't a lot of settings available in that package, I'm not an expert on this case but I believe you have better luck with installing the gnome network manager

go to adept installer and search for
networkmanager, you should find something saying
about a gnome networkmanager package named nm-applet.

when you've installed that open it with

in nm-applet i believe, you'd be able to specify a lot more things including DNS servers, anyways i hope this helps.

In my experience, editing the /etc/network/interfaces file is by far the easiest way to get things working, and then stay working.
It really isn't difficult. Dare I say man interfaces ?

If you insist on a GUI thing, "Network Manager" is (IMO) downright evil (it keeps messing with the interfaces file for no good reason, and ends up fouling it up BIG time.) wicd is better behaved: http://wicd.sourceforge.net/download.php

My home network is up to 5-6 devices now (depending) and static IPs have been an excellent, and highly stable choice for me.

If you need further help, post here, and I'll provide it ( or just search LQ - I have many posts relating to the interfaces file! )

I've found you can do at least basic configuration through editing a ethernet network connection in knetworkmanager. I'd rather not have to install gnome packages as I'd like a consistent look and feel but thanks for the suggestion froginvasion.

Thanks for the link tredegar, I downloaded it and it looks good. Unfortunately I think it killed knetworkmanager even uninstalling it. I didn't expect that but I'm quite happy using nicd for the time being.

Maybe if you happen to know to look there to start with and happen to live and breathe the command line.

The question is, why should we spend a lot of time learning all these commands for tasks that we might not do very often when on any other system we can do it much more quickly, easily and safely through a GUI?

Doing it your way I might have to spend some time reading the man interfaces page (assuming I knew that that's where I should even start) and Googling for information on how I should configure the interfaces file when doing the same task on anything from Windows 3.1 or any version of MAC OS from (I think) version 6 can do the same task much more quickly and easily without needing to have the specialist knowledge that reduces the number of people who can perform that task to the number who can remember the magic runes when needed.

I personally can fully appreciate the power and flexibility of the command line. I just don't appreciate having to make animal sacrifices and chant incantations when I want to do something.