I've been wanting to use Linux for a long time but have failed several times already.

I am thinking about installing either the latest version of Suse or Fedora Core 4.

I have 4 options for connecting to the Internet. I do not have a direct connection to the Internet, but am part of a wireless network instead.

1. Crossover cable to a Windows XP computer that uses a wireless Internet adapter to get Internet (not a direct connection). Is this possible? The Windows XP computer isn't on most of the time and the person using it might not like the idea.

2. Wireless networking with a Linksys WUSB54G wireless Internet adapter (wireless-g).

3. Wireless networking with a Linksys WUSB12 wireless Internet adapter (wireless-b).

4. Buy a new network adapter that works with Linux out of the box (please tell me the name and model and where I can get it if possible).

One of my concerns is setting my adapter up? How the heck do I do it? If my wireless network runs on a different channel than most networks (9) and 128-bit WEP, will I run into problems?

Does the router need anything special even though it's hooked up to a Windows XP computer?

And finally, which distro is best for what I'm trying to do?


Thanks a lot for the help! I know newb questions can be annoying.

in linux(really anywhere) you are concerend with the chipset, not the actual card model. All of these companies are really selling the same stuff, they just slap different packaging on it. To make it even more maddening, some will completely change the chipset inside, while making only a minor revision change to the model number!

Things that work well: prism2, prismgt, atheros, orinoco.
Things that work much less well: broadcom, TI acx100

This link may be a good place to start: http://www.seattlewireless.net/index...wareComparison

Personally, I have an old Rev1 Netgear WG511 thats prismGT, and a Netgear WG511U thats atheros. Both work fantastically.

i also have thesame card as you which is the wg511u i can't seem to get it to work with FEDORA Core 4. Installed several drivers but still would not take it, and i am not sure if i am grabbing the right drivers for the card... so can anyone help? a link to the drivers and procedures on how to install it would be appreciated, thank you...

The wg511u has an atheros chipset, and uses the madwifi drivers. http://madwifi.sourceforge.net/