Linux help with devices

[cm25ahtrack]

I have made a Linux Boot Disk, and am running it on my laptop. I connected my usb hard drive, and it found it. It "mounted" and I was able to open it. I can't write to it though. I also put in my Linksys Wireless Network usb thing to try to connect to my network. I have no clue how to work it though. So, (1): How can I be able to write to my usb drive? and (2): How do I connect to a network?

 

[DelJo63]

this post contains the command sequence to mount the USB and/or the HD in r/w mode.