Why does support for my wireless card suck?
 

I've tried several distros, and the only distros that support my wireless card (Broadcom BCM4322) are Ubuntu and Mint. That's it. All these other distros? Instant Catch 22. I mean, why do the people putting packages on the CD leave out the single package that I absolutely NEED to get the distro working? I mean, I can't just apt-get drivers without having internet. Does my wireless card just suck or something?

More likely it's the manufacturers that suck for not providing better support for GNU/Linux.

In the case of your Broadcom card, check the vendor's site for a Linux driver (proprietary, therefore not in the kernel).

Also, do some research via www.google.com/linux for information on Broadcom drivers in Linux.

Basically yes.
Broadcom have historically been a PITA. It's getting better, and Broadcom are at least making an effort to recognise Linux users. I keep a long piece of cat5 so I can do installs in comfort from my lounge chair using the wire to get anything I need.

Oh well. Guess I'll just stick with Ubuntu for now until a driver comes out.

Um, there is a driver for the 4322. You may have to compile it yourself, but that isn't hard and they have semi-decent instructions on how to do so. I think most distros have stayed away from distributing this driver because of Broadcom's licensing terms, not for any technical reason.

I haven't done much research but the kernel may have support for it. Do some googling and see if you can take the distro you wish to use and their config file out of the /boot directory which normally is provided and recompile the kernel with the correct option. It may be there and it may not be. But if it is then thats where you should start at. Most distros try to comopile their kernel for most pc/laptops to work on but they may leave some rare cards out.

Hope this helps and if not. Well you can stick with ubuntu if it works.

Good luck to you

Hi,
Welcome to LQ!

It's called 'firmware'. You cannot legally distribute a propriety piece of software. GNU/Linux does provide the drivers but you may need to get the firmware. For the Broadcom chipset you can use the propriety firmware or the open source. You can get a binary firmware from 'Missing your Wireless Drivers?' for ubuntu to save some time. Or as suggested compile your own from propriety or open source. Or use fw-cutter.

If you do a Search here on LQ for Broadcom, the result should provide some useful information as this subject has been covered many times.
:hattip: