Hi all,

I've got off to a very bumpy start with Linux - had to download four different distros before one would even install correctly! Settled with Xubuntu in the end (I guess most installers struggle with 256MB)

Anyway, the final hurdle for me is to get a connection to the internet working. I have a SafeCom PCMCIA wireless network card and they provide a Linux driver on their website. I tried to install the DEB package with the Package Installer tool that comes with Xubentu but had a few problems.

1. The GUI has a status bar which never completes
2. When I show the console it it is asking where my kernel sources are located.
3. It tries (and fails) to complile them (?)
4. The Package Manager tells me "same version is already installed"

Does this mean I already have the driver installed and it is not working, not activated, or what?

Am I crazy to think that it may be possible to get an image I can deploy over a load of laptops for use by children? They are going to want to plug in all sorts of wierd and wonderful devices (memory keys, webcams, dancing usb creatures, etc) that Windows just seems to be able to download drivers for and work with. Once the internet connection is working is there a Linux distribution with similar features? I don't think teaching them how to recompile the kernel each time is an option because they are only 10.

BR,
George Gardiner

Hi there,
I use Xubuntu on my laptop and removable media like flash drives works flawlessly for me- I don't see you having any problem. As for your wireless card I would check to see if there is any Linux documentation- the fact they have a Linux driver is amazingly good luck on your part. As for the kernel stuff- I'm not really sure there- perhaps go to the command line and try sudo apt-get update to bring everything up to the most current.