You'll soon learn to...
become one with the machine.
Now that you no longer need to watch and wait for OSX to churn through massive amounts of disk IO just to open a program... or see the LED isn't flashing because the machine is locked up and wasn't churning.
Access to the DVD? Who cares, is it mounted? the little icon tells you that that will eventually be enough... trust me. I find Disk IO indicators to be distracting.
Soon you'll be annoyed by all those LEDs you used to have.
You'll find they aren't needed.
As far as the "Web Access" problems you seem to be envisioning... Are you on a DSL or Wireless or Cable connection? If so... just leave it on, more than likely you are behind a "firewall/router" anyway.
Remember you are NOT on Windows anymore. Many of your pet tricks to get things the way you want are not needed or can even cause damage. Malicious stuff auto-executing isn't something that just happens on OSX.
If you are on dial up... there is an indicator for that in any case.
Start enjoying the Internet. Ignore those "FinallyFast.com" sites as they are only for Windows... stop tinkering and just enjoy.
If you want to tinker, use Linux. If you want to be afraid use Windows.
