What security precautions should I be taking now I can connect to the internet? Can anyone recommend some useful resources I should study? Any basic initial measures I should take?
If u have a 2.4 kernel, use Gnome and want a quick and dirty firewall setup (using iptables), then I'd highly recommend firestarter.
Is it worth reviewing the PPP and IP setups with a view to optimising the modem performance? or are any improvements likely to be marginal?
Marginal. If you look through the ALUG archives, there should be some e-mails I did regarding "MTU", lowering the MTU and MSS to about 570 can improve performance, albeit marginal. You notice it with pictures etc.
Can anyone recommend some mail clients that work with Gnome? There seem to be loads on Sourceforge and Freshmeat. Some guidance with narrowing down the list would be most helpful.
Sylpheed is my favourite for speed and simplicity.
I'd also like to migrate my existing M$ Outlook mailbox over to the new client. Has anyone ever done this? Is it possible?
Very probably, haven't done it myself tho. Maybe Evolution can do it?