[NTLUG:Discuss] wireless 802.11b NIC's for Linux

[Steve Martindell]

I have been reading the thread on wireless NICs here on NTLUG.
It appears that cards with Prism2 chipset have a good chance
of working with Linux.

According to the compatibility guide at:
http://www.linux-wlan.com/linux-wlan/index.html

there are 4 different versions of the D-link DWL-650(802.11b),
only one version has the Prism2 chipset. The other versions have
the Realtek or ADMtek or Prism3 chipsets.

Note, I wasted most of the weekend trying to get a Netgear card
(MA521 w/ Realtek chipset) to work, with no luck. After
searching the net, it turns out this a not a good card for Linux.

So where/how can I purchase a wireless NIC that has the Prism2 chipset?

I talked to tech support at D-link, and they said there is no way to
know what chipset is in their DWL-650 card that I see at Fry's.

Fry's also carries the Belkin F5D6020, Airlink AWLC011, Linksys WPC11
and the Netgear MA521. None of these say they contain the Prism2
chipset.

    -steve