user65825: update:
I uninstalled the portable package of Arduino IDE, completely, and installed the IDE using sudo apt install arduino. yes, I verified that my Nano was plugged in, the status on the bottom right says Arduino Nano w/ ATmega328 on COM1, but sadly the IDE won't explain to me why the Tools > Serial Port section is still unavailable. 
Also, the online version doesn't recognize the board even though it's plugged in and configured in the settings to look for a "Nano". I also used a reliable USB Hub I use for my drawing tablet, because that was one of the remedies to troubleshoot the lack of connection, and because the Hub seems to do a lot of good things around here.
end of update
I received an Arduino Nano as a gift a couple months ago and had to place it on a shelf as a mere dust collector, because it was not as easy as I thought it would be to get it working. 
I plugged the Nano into my computer with a cable, and attempted to load an example "blink" program and it gives errors saying "no device connected" in the errors. 
It does light up and flash, so I know it is receiving power, so how do I specify where the Nano is? 
I am familiar with the /dev category and how to use code in Linux, but I don't know how to communicate with the Arduino, as in, know which block device the Nano is in /dev
now that Thomas has brought to my attention the "port" setting in the drop down menus, I just realized that the port is greyed out. that could be a good detail in troubleshooting this issue.

user65788: In the Arduino IDE, the mcu will show up in Tools > Port.
Your Arduino Nano will probably be visible at /dev/ttyUSB0 or /dev/ttyUSB1 following whatever is already plugged on USB. Make sure to select it.
Select Nano in Tools > Board.
Last step is  Verify/Compile your code (^R), then Upload (^U).
This link sounds to be a good read to start.

user65825: I have to sadly conclude that this issue posted was for nothing. the board I was using most likely has an underlying defect (of all odds, the 45 boards my teacher was using, he gives me 1 defect board? believable.) rendering the board inoperable. I plugged the board into an entirely different laptop, downloaded and installed a full IDE for it, ran it normally, ran it in Administrator, downloaded and installed the plugin, ran the Online IDE to test that... same exact issues: greyed out serial port settings, and no device detected upon plugging in. 
again, I apologize for this being a waste of time. I wished this was not the case and that I could make some pretty cool stuff during this quarantine mess. 
I salute to all you programmers out there.... and wish you all good luck in your own endeavors in Arduino. 

65825: <p><strong>update:</strong>
I uninstalled the portable package of Arduino IDE, completely, and installed the IDE using <code>sudo apt install arduino</code>. yes, I verified that my Nano was plugged in, the status on the bottom right says <code>Arduino Nano w/ ATmega328 on COM1</code>, but sadly the IDE won't explain to me <em>why</em> the <code>Tools &gt; Serial Port</code> section is still unavailable. </p>

<p>Also, the online version doesn't recognize the board even though it's plugged in and configured in the settings to look for a "Nano". I also used a reliable USB Hub I use for my drawing tablet, because that was one of the remedies to troubleshoot the lack of connection, and because the Hub seems to do a lot of good things around here.</p>

<p><strong>end of update</strong></p>

<p>I received an Arduino Nano as a gift a couple months ago and had to place it on a shelf as a mere dust collector, because it was not as easy as I thought it would be to get it working. 
I plugged the Nano into my computer with a cable, and attempted to load an example "blink" program and it gives errors saying "no device connected" in the errors. </p>

<p>It does light up and flash, so I know it is receiving power, so how do I specify where the Nano is? 
I am familiar with the /dev category and how to use code in Linux, but I don't know how to communicate with the Arduino, as in, know which block device the Nano is in /dev</p>

<p>now that Thomas has brought to my attention the "port" setting in the drop down menus, I just realized that the port is greyed out. that could be a good detail in troubleshooting this issue.</p>
 65788: <p>In the <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/guide/linux" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Arduino IDE</a>, the mcu will show up in <code>Tools &gt; Port</code>.
Your Arduino Nano will probably be visible at <code>/dev/ttyUSB0</code> or <code>/dev/ttyUSB1</code> following whatever is already plugged on USB. Make sure to select it.</p>

<p>Select <code>Nano</code> in <code>Tools &gt; Board</code>.</p>

<p>Last step is  <code>Verify/Compile</code> your code (^R), then <code>Upload</code> (^U).</p>

<p>This <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Environment" rel="nofollow noreferrer">link</a> sounds to be a good read to start.</p>
 65825: <p>I have to sadly conclude that this issue posted was for nothing. the board I was using most likely has an underlying defect (of all odds, the 45 boards my teacher was using, he gives me 1 defect board? believable.) rendering the board inoperable. I plugged the board into an entirely different laptop, downloaded and installed a full IDE for it, ran it normally, ran it in Administrator, downloaded and installed the plugin, ran the Online IDE to test that... same <strong>exact</strong> issues: greyed out serial port settings, and no device detected upon plugging in. </p>

<p>again, I apologize for this being a waste of time. I wished this was not the case and that I could make some pretty cool stuff during this quarantine mess. </p>

<p>I salute to all you programmers out there.... and wish you all good luck in your own endeavors in Arduino. </p>
