Configuring the Network Card

[Harry Kuhman]

There was no need to configure the network card (in the Linux environment, that is). Apparently, the DNS information is coming from the router.

Yup, part of DHCP. Or the router can tell the local computer to use the router's Ip address as a DNS server and with most routers they can take care of DNS (since they know where the DNS servers are and have to send on the packets anyway).

But when I was in Windows (XP), I noticed that if I didn't manually enter the DNS info into TCP/IP Properties, regular Web addresses wouldn't work. However, numerical IP addresses would work.

This isn't a Windows forum but, in XP, in the same box (Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties) that you set the DNS addresses, there should be a radio button for obtain DNS server address automatically. Also be sure that you are not overriding this in the advanced tab. Other than that it should work, but if you have to set a DNS server then it's not all that hard.

Any recommendations for a Linux newb just starting out? Do you know of any decent online tutorials

Ubuntu is popular, But it's based on Debian and I would stick with Debian unless there were something in Ubuntu that you wanted that is missing in Debian (perhaps some new hardware driver, Debian can be a bit slower than some of the other distro in keeping up with the bleeding edge). But it's really a pick what's right for you kind of choice. Tons of Linux info on the Internet, most of it is even accurate. I don't have anything specific to recommend.

By the way, the NAT firewall is now working. Stealth mode all the way (and ipconfig confirms this)!

Yup, the router would have to be working if Knoppix connects automatically on a typical DSL connection (although many cable connections will DHCP with Knoppix even without a router). You'll find that this is a much safer way to run Windows, and will make all of your Linux network setup automatic.