On 8/21/05, John Dangler <jdangler@atlantic.net> wrote:
> 
> I have the basic system installed and updated on my laptop.
> Aside from the problem of the splash, everything seems to be well.
> I'm wondering what direction to go next?


You're the boss... just lead the way.. I hope that's why you installed 
gentoo!! :) 

I'd like a good backup solution w/boot capability, but mondo is right out!
> It's too flaky at the moment.
> I'd like to get a backup of the system at this stage before adding a 
> desktop
> environment, so that I have somewhere to go back to in case of a bork
> (either from software or operator error)


Try SystemRescueCd. Is bootable and has tools that allows you to backup 
partitions. You can place you current partition in other place of you disk 
or even on a cd. 

I'm also thinking that some security would be in order here (anti-virus at
> least, but I've also read about others like port sentry, iptables, etc).
> 

Well.. I'd advise you iptables. And that's all you need. You won't need 
anti-virus, though you can use it. I've used BitDefender some time ago..

Fernando.