Linux network settings need help please

i downloaded linux ubuntu 8.4.... i downloaded it by iso and, then burned, then installed. i also have windows xp 2. i can get online through verizon fios using windows.
the linux is very slow and i am assuming it is using "ubuntu" mirror. because when i was setting up host i did not know what to put so ubuntu became the host name. as you can see i don't know much about this side of programming and net connection. when i try to setup verizon for ubuntu i get a message that it could not get verizon to respond. by the way i am on line what is ubuntu using? how do i know i am using verizon.

thank you
ruby