where to begin??

[case]

So far so good!! Linux is running ok but I am thinking of a few things I need to do before I start to settle into it.
What comes first though? I need to install the 2.4 kernel, set up a firewall(which is puzzling me!), try and get my usb mouse running, then there's the webcam, IM proggies to consider (got AIM ok, but what about msn? everybuddy doesn't want to connect...)

Where is sensible to begin? The kernel, the firewall?? :confused:

[bdl]

The first logical place to start would be the kernel. Once you've configured and compiled a fresh kernel with the options you want, you can start to build an IPTABLES firewall and get your USB mouse running, etc. If you're new to Linux, the kernel config and build process can be a little confusing, but it's a n important skill to have, IMHO.

Kernel HOWTO (http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/other-formats/html_single/Kernel-HOWTO.html)

Have fun!