If anyone is considering low-cost wireless adapters for a Linux laptop or desktop system here are a few notes from my recent project to provide wireless access at our store:
- The Belkin PCMCIA adapter (Staples) works great with no extra fuss required when used from my Gateway Solo (RH8 or MD9). This adapter is very attractively priced ($59/Staples). We offer free use of this adapter to our customers wishing to use their own laptops in the store. - The Belkin PCI->PCMCIA bridge adapter (allows use of above adapter in a desktop) gave me a bit of trouble. Based on the Prism2 chipset, I couldn't seem to get it to work consistently until I downloaded and compiled the latest (.13) Orinoco module with my Mandrake 9 kernel. Works great! The bridge adapter is $39/Staples. I use the bridge and the PCMCIA adapter in my Linux POS system. - I purchased a Netgear MA311(?) PCI wireless adapter for our general use Web Surfing PC (Linux Mandrake 9/KDE/Mozilla of course). This is a one-piece PCI adapter with an attached antennae. It's based on the Prism2.5 chipset and gave me the most grief of all. I had to download/compile the same Orinoco module (.13) but I'm still not convinced all is well. I'm trying a static IP on this PC because hopefully my problem is related to an expiring IP lease. Typically it works great until I leave it idle for a few hours. We'll see. Overall, I'd definitely recommend the Belkin hardware if you're comfortable with downloading and make'ing the Orinoco module. It's really not difficult. As you can see I'm hoping to expose some of our downtown professional customers to the ease and beauty of the Linux desktop. :) Jeff Leinen Jumpy Monkey
