I also have a Debian learning curve, I have to have a little time to sit down and find the info on unpacking .debs, then have to play with recompiling so I understand what's going on, once I feel competent at that then I won't mind the upgrading.
Oh, know off hand any good sites on USB cabling? If I do set up an ethernet connection I don't want to mess about with adapters, meaning getting one with a cable (rather than the usb stick kind) and put a suitable mini on the end.