a second newbie question: usb wifi stick

[exeterdad]

Did you happen to install the matching kernel modules when you grabbed the new kernel?

[fillemon]

euuu, 

well i installed the new kernel just like someone on this forum told me to install the ck kernel.

download both of these
http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/kernels/kernel-2.6.24.3.......
http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.9/kernels/kernel-modules-2.6.24.3.....

open a terminal and su to root
type installpkg kernel*tlz
then run vliloconf
then reboot and try the new kernel

that's what i did. 

[exeterdad]

What happens if you run (as root):
depmod -aq
Then:
modprobe rt73usb
Then:
iwconfig

Hopefully you should see evidence your card is working.  Then VLwifi can take it from there.
Good luck.

Edit: I wish I would of responded to this post hours ago, I got distracted then couldn't find were this post was located.