potential newbie with questions (please be gentle)

[Maurice McCarthy]

b43-fwcutter should ask if you want to find and download the firmware
when it is installed. Just say yes.
You might have to do

$ modprobe b43

Otherwise do System - Preferences - Network Connections - Wireless tab - Add
then enter your home wireless network name (SSID) and if necessary
your hardware address (same thing as your MAC address) and your
security arrangements at home, assuming you use them. Make sure that
IPv4 settings are automatic - they should be by default.

Click on "Connect Automatically" so that on next reboot your system does that.

Good Luck
Maurice