Would you suggest that I use the approach in [link|http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2003/debian-devel-200306/msg00042.html|http://lists.debian....306/msg00042.html] to install that driver? If not, then can you point at a better guide to follow for a Debian system?

As for the rest, I think that I addressed that in my post. Yes, I have discovered the truth of what you said about knoppix. No, reinstalling is not currently an option unless my system gets seriously hosed, and at this point if I did reinstall, then I would be installing Red Hat, not Debian. The system currently is usable, just not optimal.

As for gnome vs KDE, I don't care. At the moment I am using neither, nor does any feature I have seen listed for either appear on my wishlist for this system. I don't care how much or little bloat either has, does it readily do what I asked of it? Any answer that requires time and effort from me and doesn't address that question is an answer addressed to someone else, and will be ignored accordingly.

Cheers,
Ben