Xubuntu 6.10 installation and a Xubuntu Manual and loss of Firefox connection

[tbrow at tpg.com.au]

In regards the Xubuntu installation it took 3 hours to get the  
installation done. The main thing that seemed to 'stretch' the install 
was, as far as I could see it, the downloading of the language packs. I 
know, there was the option to cancel, but as a newbie I was not sure if 
this would totally disrupt the installation. So, I ask , would the 
system run without the language packs ? and would that have made the 
install job shorter ? (Xubuntu is supposed to be fast)

My second question. Is there such a thing a 'manual' for Xubuntu or is 
there an online site which has learning  pages or howto pages ? Yes I am 
a newbie, hence these questions.

Somehow I managed to get Firefox going, but I have lost the connection 
and have no idea how to get it to work again

Oh, the Xubuntu program was obtained through the January APC Magazine CD.

thanks in advance