I have Dell Inspiron 4000. I have my floppy hooked up through the parallel port and a USB hub attached which has my:
1. Clie
2. Compact flash reader
3. Printer - Canon S450
attached to it.

When I install Slack, would I be better off installing it without my external hardware and then editing config files to add more hardware later. I guess the idea is that I could make sure my basic stuff works before adding more in. Or would I be better off running the install with all the hardware I typically used attached and seeing what happens?

i'd give it a shot with everything plugged up, but, i'm kinda cowboy like that. i don't mind running into troubles and then figuring out how to fix them. it's how i learn. if the laptop is needed for important things..i.e. work, school, etc. better wait on a more solid answer, and, be safe rather than sorry. if, however, it is not an integral part of your day (so to speak). give it a shot, you can only learn from it.
good luck.

I'd leave it attached. Much easier to let slack find what it can find than do it all by hand later

I agree with burnpile, at least then you'll have some examples of correct configurations to study.

heh,be careful.........last time someone agreed with me they got 3 years probation for hijacking an old mail jeep