Quote Originally Posted by beforewisdom
....Is there a guide some place that will introduce me to what I need to know about DSL and how to use the knoppix/kde combination to set it up?....
DSL is actually going to be much easier for you to set up and work with than dial-up. Exactly what you need to set up (such as PPPoE or PPPoA) depends on what country you are in and your ISP. One simple piece of advice I can give you. If the DSL modem that your ISP provides does not include a built-in router (many do now), get an inexpensive DSL/cable router to server as a harware firewall and DHCP server. If you do this you should not have to configure anything at all in Knoppix, it should just boot and you will be connected to the network and the Internet as soon as you boot. This is particularly important if you plan on still using Windows. A software firewall is not enough protection for Windows, and you'll be amazed how fast the hackers find you on a high speed connection. (There are common complaints that a fresh install is taken over multiple times in under 4 minutes, far less time than it takes to download the "security updates" after a fresh reinstall).

And do not let your ISP provide you with a USB network interface. Insist on an ethernet based interface.