wireless driver

[Derek Broughton]

Ray Leventhal wrote:

> Douglas Pollard wrote:
>>>   
>> Sorry guys I jumped to quick with this.  I was able to use an xp driver
>> with the ndiswrapper.  Simple simple!!!   I guess I need to install
>> something using a tarball and build it, at least once so I won't feel so
>> dopey :-)

ndiswrapper _is_ beautiful.  Be aware, that sometimes NDIS drivers are 
actually simpler (ie, have fewer features) than native Linux drivers 
(thought the reverse can also be true), so it's worth comparing the features 
if you have a native driver available.

> While its always a good thing to gain knowledge, such as learning how to
> install from source or unpack a tarball, please use caution when working
> with package based systems such as Ubuntu/Debian and others.

And it must be 5 or 6 years since I explicitly compiled an app from a 
tarball.  It mostly isn't necessary.

> Package based systems keep track of dependencies as well as allow for
> the automatic application of patches, etc.  When you install from source
> or non-package based binaries, you technically 'break' this ability to
> varying degrees.
> 
> Will there be rare instances when you may need this?  Sure...but do it
> armed with the knowledge of what the potential downsides are.  After
> all, this is Linux.  If you break it, you get to keep the pieces :)

If you _do_ find you need to install from a tarball, learn how to use 
"checkinstall".  checkinstall will convert your tarball into a proper 
debian-type package, and you will then get dependency and conflict checking.

Above all - don't be afraid to break your Linux.  The pieces are all very 
pretty :-)
-- 
derek