alright... here's where i'm at.... lol
i made the file call 'isp' containing the code. after a 'oh duh!' moment i figured out how to make a file called 'etc'.... which contains a file called 'ppp' which contains a file called 'peers' which contains the evil 'isp' file containing said code.

i './compile_it' like hell.... then i go to root and './install_it' it does so but says 'cannot remove /dev/essmodem no such file or directory'
'cannot remove /dev/modem no such file or diectory'
i get out of root... try it again.. it says the file is already created and everything is jiggy.
then i do the dreaded 'pppd call isp nodetach' and get the following message------ 'pppd:can't open options file /etc/ppp/peers/isp: no such file or directory'

...and thus the strange pain and suffering... the utter torment continues.. but- as the say - what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. THUS- we can conclude (ladies and gentleman...) that i will most likely be dead in a day or two. and once again- thank you for your help and patience....