welcome to linux! lol
a conf shouldn't affect your connections, are you sure thats the issue?
[edit] to add to this, if you are still having connection issues, you can add a few nodes to your conf from here:
http://hyp.cryptocoinexplorer.com/peerinfoI just assume it was the conf file. I left it on for a few hours while I went to work last night and when I got home it still didn't have any actual connections to the network. I added a few nodes. We will see if that helps. Does the rcpuser and password field make a difference as to what is actually entered into them?
Only if you are making rpc calls. Otherwise, no, they don't make a difference.