I think I'm nearly there. I went to /etc/init.d and fired up the pcmcia service (and thus got the yenta thingie and cardmgr). I was able to find the modem and configure it from KPPP and dial out.

I get a solid connection and then I get the notice that my computer is starting pppd. But pppd times out and kills itself. Any ideas as to why?
I was thinking the pppd daemon should already be running, but I don't
know where to begin looking for it.

Maybe I'm misconfigured?

thanks for the help!

cheers,
S.