http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/showcat.php?cat=144 For linksys network cards. See if you're freind's card is on the list.
In general - look at the top of the (this) page. There is a horizontal menue.
Home Forums HCL Reviews Search Tutorials User CP
If you want hardware and you're not sure what is good, click on "HCL" and follow your nose. The very common ones are in there.
Another one you want to try is "User CP", where you can edit your profile so that your location and distributions will show up in the sidebar... like mine (left) see? You can also customise your signiture so you print a cool or pithy message below
[bf]seriously:[/b] look through the other links in my previous messages. Especially the HOWTO's because they will learn you what's what! When you start with linux, you have lots of reading to do.