Thanks for all of the tips on wireless cards to use with SUSE.

Where is the best place (online) to find a good selection of these cards, at good prices, with good service and tech. assistance?

Thanks

Please forgive me for my previous posts to you.

In the States, NewEgg is hard to beat for price and service. They only list about 2 wireless devices for lappys, though.

Jean Tourrilhes has about the most comprehensive listing of information for wireless in Linux. There could be a place to buy hidden in all the links of his pages.

Linux on Laptops has a few Toshiba 1800 models listed. Tux Mobile does also, and one site or another should give you some more help.

I've never been to the UK, but in America there's also Pricewatch. Just be careful and read the reviews of vendors before you buy there. If you see one you'd like to use, and want an opinion, post back in this thread and ask if anyone's had experience with them.

Check the LQ Hardware Compatibility List (the HCL or Linux HCL link). You'll find reviews on hardware by LQ members here. Sometimes you can find something specifically used on your distro, but if the hardware is supported by a Linux kernel, all you need to do to get it to work is to compile a kernel with proper support ... usually.

Then there's the local shops such as Best Buy, CompUSA, Fry's, and Circuit City ... not to mention smaller shops. But don't expect any tech support for Linux from these places. In fact, most if not all of these locations "sales force" aren't trained at all. There are so many products, and they're not the highest paid workers.

Your best tech support will come from forums such as LQ, a Local Linux Users Group, or IRC channels ... probably. If you buy a SuSE release, I supposed you'd get support from them, also.

Hope this helps get you going in the right direction in your search.

Thanks Chinaman!

I will try some of these options.

Would these same places be good sources for laptop batteries?

I have had no luck at all in the local stores, even Microcenter in Cambridge seems to have no employee with knowledge of LINUX. This is rather odd, since they are right next to M.I.T., where many people are using LINUX.

Sadly many people suffer from "fear of the unknown." And because
of it's rather esoteric nature, *nix is still "the unknown."

As for the battery, I've never tried to buy one. I would suggest you
try the Toshiba web site store first, to get the battery recommended
for your lappy, and probably the highest price. Then shop for it, and
since it's just a battery you basically "plug in," there is no need for
tech support. I would compare the specs of another battery if you
don't buy one from Toshiba. Try Pricewatch with the search phrase
"Toshiba 1800 battery."

Titan has one ...

I'm sure many guys here have more experience than I with this,
so maybe you'll get some more help. I had rather pay a little more,
and be certain of the quality, rather than just get a "great price."
Part of that comes from living in China, where there is a lot of "fake"
stuff sold; and some very poor quality things made locally.

Thanks Chinaman.

I will follow your suggestions.

It is rather odd that it is so difficult to find Linux supportin the US. In europe many people , and businesses are using Linux.

I chose SUSE because I received much good feedback about it in Europe.

When I am in the US, it is much more difficult.

In Finland ,especially ,it was great. First of all- the whole country seemed to be wired, I could use my laptop everywhere. Second-they have great computer stores, all of the sales people are well acquainted with LINUX.

Just be glad you're not in China.

Where I live, they use Windoze, because the software
is free, they are primarily into playing games, and they
don't understand Linux. It's really best for them, since
afaik games don't work too well on Linux, and these
guys wouldn't consider paying for Cedega to play that
Warcraft thing. They think paying for sofware, is, well,
stupid. In China, copyright means "the right to copy,"
so they always have the latest and greatest apps for
the latest Windoze.