I am new to LINUX and I've installed Red Hat Linux 9 from a book that I purchased--Linux for Dummies--Wiley. Unfortunately, the directions to install a wireless adapter do not work as described. There is no option for Linksys under Other Wireless card or anywhere else.

I typed the command iwconfig and the response was "no wireless extensions". Does this indicate that I need to install ndiswrapper and use the Microsoft drivers, since the CD that came with the adapter does not indicate a driver for Linux?

Any help you can provide to point me in the right direction would be appreciated.

Welcome to LQ!

Um, you need to upgrade to a modern distro. RedHat 9 is absolutely positively ancient and I would be VERY surprised if you could get wireless working. And even if you could, securing that box would be a nightmare considering it is no longer supported.

If you're new to Linux I would strong suggest taking a look at a few distros that produce Live CDs that allow you to boot from a CD and test drive without installing. Usually new users find one of the *buntus to be a good starting point and then they can branch out as they get more comfortable with Linux.