Ok, this didn't work at all last night. Now, after updating kudzu via ethernet card, I am able to get the following when I plug in the USB wireless:

dmesg:
usb 1-1: new full speed USB device using address 2
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/usbdfu.c: USB Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) hand ler v0.12beta11 loading
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/at76c503.c: Generic Atmel at76c503/at76c505 rout ines v0.12beta11
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/at76c503-fw_skel.c: Atmel at76c503 (RFMD) Wirele ss LAN Driver v0.12beta11 loading
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/at76c503-fw_skel.c: using compiled-in firmware
usbcore: registered new driver at76c503-rfmd
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/at76c503.c: $Id: at76c503.c,v 1.53 2004/04/16 19 :06:02 jal2 Exp $ compiled May 20 2004 02:12:40
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/at76c503.c: firmware version 1.101.4 #84 (fcs_le n 4)
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/at76c503.c: device's MAC 00:0c:41:09:bf:4a, regu latory domain FCC (U.S) (id 16)
divert: allocating divert_blk for wlan0
/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/at76c503a/at76c503.c: registered wlan0

But if I type iwconfig -> the computer freezes. Well, it worked once without freezing then I typed "neat" to bring up the networking configuration and it froze. Since then I can't do anything with the card. I'm SOOO close...any help?

an extra caveat to make things fun:
if I wait a long time...I didn't keep track but > 10 minutes, it doesn't freeze. Does someone know about a time period that one should wait??

At a guess its either your wireless tools going screwy or a dodgy driver, probably the latter.

Suggest you check

http://atmelwlandriver.sourceforge.net/news.html

for more news on the luverly atmel chipset.
Regards
Chris

do I have to undo the previous driver or does this supercede it?

do you know where/how I can get this as an RPM? The whole make install thing never works for me.

I can use ethernet to connect to internet on my linux computer so I can use yum or manually download it and use rpm command. Those always work for me.

You'll have to learn how to fix your make prob there. If it isnt working check that your kernel sources are installed. Most likely the issue lies there.