Newbie installation

[Martin Dowie]

Hi all!   I'm a first-time GNU/Linux (wanna-be) User although I have some Un*x experience. I've downloaded all 14 Sarge .iso CDs and have happily managed to get a system that will now boot to a command line after installing from CD1. I used the default partitioning for multi-users.   I notice that while booting there are several failures - but the screen is flying by at this point and I can't see what they are. Is there a 'boot log' I can 'cat|more' though?   I'm also now at a lose as to how to install stuff from the other CD's - in particular I would like GNOME as my desktop environmnet and to be able to use my Alcatel SpeedTouch USB ADSL modem. I've searched high and low for a Debian installation guide for dummies but I either find stuff that is more "... for Experts" or I find 1,000's of hits that don't really seem to cover what I want. Can someone recommend a link for me as to what to do now?   TIA   -- Martin