Help I'm not a 'newbie' I'm an 'embryo-ie'

You sure picked a big early step... Alright well there are plenty of
guides around, if you need to patch the kernel you need to compile a new
copy yourself, which honestly I HIGHLY would *not* recommend for anyone
of little experience, not an intended insult, but it's extremely time
consuming on many hardware setups, and if it goes wrong, you will not be
able to boot in to that kernel, will have to roll back to the last
kernel and try again...

BUT, if you really want to try then:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile

Honestly, you would be better off creating a new ticket about getting
your modem working. Most likely you would not have to compile a custom
kernel entirely, and a proper module is available, which would be MUCH
easier.

ryan wrote:
> New question #15388 on Ubuntu:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/15388
>
> ok, i'm confused. First though I LOVE my Ubuntu 7.04. I'm from a windows/dos background so I hope someone that reads this can remember/relate-to a time that that's all you knew. (ie. i'm used to commands like 'cd ..' or 'format c:' etc...) confused as to my LOVE yet? I guess its been acquired thus far...certain functions/usability that the 7.04's o/s differs from the windows are awesome and the whole philosophy thing is admirable (i agree).
> So... my head scratching dilema is not the compiling 'things' to make my own drivers...I learn fast, but i am confused every time i find support to another user that matches my question and the instructions (which are very useful and simple) never tell you WHERE to execute them.
>
> Example, after seeing a whole lotta suggestions like.. " To ensure that your system can find the modem, create a symbolic between the serial port to the /dev/modem device. Type : ln -sf / dev/port /dev/modem." and i'm sure that's helpful but where do i type this? (honestly I thought I was to type it on the desktop somewhere) It took me some time to figure out the "TERMINAL" is were I will be spending a lot of my time.
>
> I guess if i was to give an actual question it would be...How do i change my kernel (currently 2.6.*) with the 'patch-2.4.35.3.bz2' that i downloaded so that i can use my dial-up modem with the compiled driver that i will have to make? does this patch install itself (i double clicked it and... well...it's not installed) or do i have the wrong "thing"? if some one replies could you start with the type of file i need-- to do what needs doing....and then the specific program that i should work in(terminal...gdebi package installer...python...etc) ...and the commands to do it? or did i just ask the equivalent of someone making me a custom operating system? really i dunno. It looked simple but the glassess i was looking through 'broke' and now its looking harder each time i blink!
>
>
> You received this question notification because you are an answer
> contact for Ubuntu.
>
>

How do you type a picture of my eyes bugging out and my jaw on the floor. It's ok you can laugh...this REALLY is the first time (outside of e-mail) I've actually tried to correspond with anyone (on the internet that is..I say hi to my neighbor occasionally). I guess this is what a sci-fi 'first contact' feels like. Please, hang on a sec while i savor the moment...ok...then...i'm outta touch. COOL. Although, there's a few million people on the web and one HAD to see my message in an electronic bottle. Thanks for your reply (I really, really hope it wasn't computer generated or I'll feel kinda dumb) Anyway, you said " if you need to patch the kernel you need to compile a new copy yourself..." What does that mean? is the "patch" that I have only some sorta bandaid and not a replacement (the prev. mentioned '2.4.35.3.bz2')? When I googled a ton of kernel info, after i found the 2.6.n kernel didn't support dial-up/winmodems, the download i got was the obvious choice from all the stuff i researched. What is the new copy you are referring to?

     I figured this was biting off more than I could chew, but if it wasn't for the second computer in our house I'd have to go to the neighbor's and back to transfer data and make whatever changes are necessary (or in my case UN-necessary). Ya know...no working modem yet!

      Now you mentioned a module for creating a kernel would be easier... but that was all.. I appreciate the pointers and I'll google 'kernel module' and so-on, but if that isn't what you were getting @ or you have a specific place in mind that i can get it.. I'll be dialin' up later to see if you or someone else responded.

     One last thing...is there somewhere i can get a list of linux jargin? Like when I want to download something it would be nice to know if I'm gonna 'right click' and 'save target as..' that i'm not downloading a 1 kb link. What types of files for upgrades, or drivers, etc... am I looking for generally? Example...compressed files for linux that i've been getting are *.tgz or *.tar

thanks,
ryan
p.s. the unintended insult you didn't make was not insulting...your a computer monitor with words on it for cryin' out loud...no offense intended of course :)

Not an answer to your question but a suggestion. If it's possible, I would highly recommend seeking our your local Ubuntu team if there is one in your area.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LoCoTeamList

These people will be more than happy to help you - often over the phone or in person. With all the release parties going on today and through the weekend you might even attend one of those.