[Tfug] Recommendations for hassle free desktop wireless card

[Zack Breckenridge]

Let me add that this doesn't mean the N150 *won't* work with Debian, in
fact I recommend giving it a try and would be interested to hear if it
works. It appears that this uses the ath9k driver, but I'm not sure about
the firmware. And it also looks like I was wrong about the debian kernel..

If you don't mind running "testing" (I was forced to use their stable
version, Squeeze), Wheezy appears to have a 3.x Kernel.
On Apr 10, 2013 12:38 AM, "Zack Breckenridge" <zbrdge at gmail.com> wrote:

> Yes I would say so. There is certainly a more permissible attitude toward
> binary blobs in these popular/commercial distros. Unfortunately, due to
> many vendors attitudes about releasing code for (or even just documentation
> on) their hardware drivers and firmware, if you're looking for a "no
> hassle" Linux desktop (and in my experience the two biggest impediments
> have recently been display and wireless drivers), I'm not sure what choice
> you really have?
>
> Debian seems to be behind the Kernel curve by design, for reasons of
> stability, etc. Speaking from recent experience, if you have to use Debian
> on new hardware you will probably have to recompile your Kernel or at least
> the drivers you need (if they are even available in 2.6!).
> On Apr 10, 2013 12:21 AM, "John Gruenenfelder" <jetpackjohn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> On Tue, Apr 9, 2013 at 11:44 PM, Zack Breckenridge <zbrdge at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > In case by "hassle free" you mean just go to a local retail store, buy
>> a wireless card and have it work, I just got a Netgear N150 USB card, and
>> it works great with zero configuration. However, I'm running fedora 18,
>> with a 3.8.x kernel.
>>
>>
>> Zack,
>>
>> Maybe it is different now, but don't Fedora and Debian have different
>> interpretations of what is "free" and therefore allowable on the
>> installation media.  It is similar to (ever larger) differences
>> between Debian and Ubuntu installers and what they include.
>>
>>
>> --
>> --John Gruenenfelder    Systems Manager, MKS Imaging Technology, LLC.
>> Try Weasel Reader for Palm OS  --  http://weaselreader.org
>> "This is the most fun I've had without being drenched in the blood
>> of my enemies!"
>>         --Sam of Sam & Max
>>
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