what are some recommended first things that should be done after installing Debian. I usually just try to remove some of the stuff i don't need (that's where i usually mess things up) i usually install Firefox/Mozilla/whatever it's called
once i do that, I basically have a working system with stuff i don't really need. Now what should be done next, any recommended guides/tutorials i should do. I want to try somethig new but not too complicated. maybe a link to show how i connect to my windows network. just any ideas. i just don't like messing up and having to reinstall all the time.

apt-get update

apt-get upgrade

i would just ignore packages that i do not use, (unless they are really annoying)

add packages you enjoy and have fun

anything a little more advanced i could/should try out? keeping it simple gets annoying.

You might want to check out the Securing Debian Manual.

You could try compiling some programs from source that is always fun.

Configure CUPS to print PDF's

Install the proprietary 3D Accelerated drivers for your nVidia or ATI Video card.

Configure Beryl or Compiz to get fancy desktop effects

Install additional codecs so you can play various Media file and DVD's

Install a virtualization server such as vmware-server or qemu so you can try out other Linux distros as virtual machines

install some of your Windows games natively on your Linux box.. Some good supported choices are Quake series, Doom Series, Unreal Tournament Series.

Grab Some other Free native Linux games such as bzflag, savage, nexuiz, etc..

Configure a firewall on your machine

Configure selinux

Configure SAMBA so you can share files/folders with windows boxes..

Configure lm-sensors to monitor your system hardware (fans / temp / voltages)

Configure SMART to monitor your Hard drives for failure conditions (this early warning has saved my data several times)

Write a script to do an rsync backup from your primary Linux machine to a separate PC to secure your data.

Skim through the Debian Package of the Day site for cool apps to install. http://debaday.debian.net/

Theres just soo many things to configure and tweak when setting up a new system..

i don't really know how to do that but i want to learn

http://www.luv.asn.au/overheads/compile.html

Use at your own risk:-)

can't you compile the source of a package, like if i downloaded the source, can't you compile it?

The best way to get rid of all the app's you don't want is: don't install them in the first place! Usually I only do a (very) basic install that gives me a root shell. Then change my sources.list to reflect the mirrors I want to use and do an "aptitude update". When done, I start aptitude and search/select some basic packages I want, like gdm, gnome, xorg and such. See if it starts with the startx command. After that, I get the latest stable source for a new kernel so I can build the nVidia drivers properly, after building the new kernel ofcourse...

been there done that, except the nVidia part

Yep. Just check the output of ./configure
then make, make install

i'll try that, but i don't get what you mean

Take a look at the link I provided it gives a basic run-down on how to compile programs from source.

i tried compiling something from source (pidgin) and all i really got was a bunch of errors. what do i need installed. i looked up the error but got no answers