is there a way to view detected wlans in a certain area?

If the wireless device is ath0, the following command should display the wlans:
Note: Some devices need to be up before you can start the scan:
There may be other wlans available that do not broadcast a beacon, which this tool will not detect.

sweet, thanks. would you also maybe know how to connect to thems wireless connections by chance?

I let you know when I had the chance to try it :-)

At the moment I'm only connected to my own access point and I have no experience with other open networks.

AFAIK, you need to take the following steps:

• set the parameters via iwconfig
• bringing up the device with ifconfig
• request an IP number, subnet, default route with an dhcpclient

Parameters needed for iwconfig will most likely be:

• mode: Managed - meaning you want to talk to an access point
• essid: name of the net - the name you see in the scan list
• frequency - the frequency given in the scan list
• encryption: most likely off - without a key you can only connect to open networks

These parameters have to be set like in this example
Then the device has to be brought up
At this point the connection between access point of the open net and laptop should have been established, but the computer does not have an IP number, default route etc. for this network. The access point will most likely run a DHCP server which you can contact using

This should do it. As I said, I had no chance yet, to try it.

Anyone with more experience please speak up NOW :-)