>> Hello,
>>
>> I am new to Linux, very new. I installed Ubuntu 5.10 a couple of
>> days ago and so far I haven't figured out how to connect to the
>> Internet. I use a modem to connect to the Internet. I have already
>> Googled and Ubuntu web sited the problem and guess I am not
>> following the instructions correctly.
>>
>> That is why I came here. To get a real person typing to me that
>> could put it in simple, newbie language for me. You know, really
>> get basic with it and kind of walk me through the process. I am not
>> really sure of anything, I don't know if my modem is already being
>> recognized, don't know where to go to check, don't know where to go
>> to type in the right information. If I even had the right info.
>> typed in, I am not even sure how to hit the connect button if I did,
>> don't know where it is.
>>
>> So, you can see, I am basically flopping in the wind here and could
>> use a lot of step by step. I use People PC to connect to the
>> Internet, but do not know things like the host name, domain name,
>> Dns servers, etc... Would be more than willing to gather that
>> information if I knew what the hell I was doing. Now I do believe
>> that what is called the IP Address is 4.88.72.201 and know that my
>> modem is on com 3.
>>
>> I know everything works, I can connect to the service using XP. I
>> have a dual booting system now with XP and Ubuntu. My computer is a
>> Dell B110/2.5GB Celeron/512MB RAM, 56k Modem, for what that may be
>> worth.
>>
>> Anyone bored enough to jump into this and see if you can help me
>> start getting some satisfaction out of Ubuntu?
>>
>> Alt

In simple terms: a modem is used to call another modem, and the modems
pretend to be network connections using a protocol called PPP. So you need
the PPP tools, and something to control the modem and make the call. I
suggest that comp.dcom.modems might be a better group for this question, or
even one of the Debian websites that explain in detail how to do this.
Perhaps this page would be useful?

http://www.aboutdebian.com/modems.htm