Basic Linux Wireless Question
 

Hi-

I am very new to Linuxa and had a quick question.

I'm sure this is the wrong way to start a linux question, but..- In windows, when I was wireless I could open a utility(I think from the wireless card mfg) that showed me all of the available wireless networks that my laptop could connect to, with info like signal strength, encryption, etc...

With my limited exposure to wireless cards in linux (I still haven't got my card working, but I am naively optimistic)- it seems like that doesn't happen. You have to input all the info (essid..) and then hope your card finds it, right?

How does this work if you ever go to a hotspot, friends, etc... Is there no way to see a list of wireless networks in the area and select one to connect to?

Thanks-

If it matters the distribution that I am working with (for about a day or so) is Suse 9.2 pro.

KWiFiManager, a KDE utility, will do this.

From a command line, try iwlist eth0 (or wlan0 or whatever) scan
Not all card/driver combinations support scanning.

Thanks! The Kwifimanager is exactly what I was looking for.