No doubt within the next one
or two kernels there will be support for this wireless card. But if the
hardware provider fails to support Linux and someone want to use Linux.
Don't buy hardware that is not supported. I have dropped a line to
every hardware manufacture that has not supported their goods on the
Linux platform. I take sales people's time to verify a product will work
on Linux, and return anything that won't, after getting the store's word
that it will. I believe this pressure from consumers will in turn go
uphill to the manufacturers to clearly state on the box the product,
will, or will not work in Linux.

I am teaching "Computers, beyond basics" at the Library. I tell people
Linux is the cutting edge, and it is foolish to buy hardware that is not
supported on the platform of the future. I let them know that a bad
purchase will require upgrades in hardware if they don't use this
advice, so save money now and only buy systems that are compatible.

When I write to a manufacture I let them know what I teach, and let them
know how many Linux installs I have done in the last year. I also let
them know there is no way to know how many installs have been made, or
how this has eroded the Windows share of consumers, because of the large
numbers of systems that are no longer booting in Windows but stay in the
stats as windows count. I let them know that the hardware that is a
problem with Linux is on my no recommend list when I am asked about a
solution. I tell People with bad (windows only) wifi cards to recommend
to the manufacture that they work with Mad Wifi to come up with a
solution. That company came up with a contract that worked with Athros,
and I am sure they could with other manufactures. The need to keep power
level switches closed and hooks open to make Linux development a reality
and stay within FCC rules was the main issue.

In the mean time I used a dongle for wifi on my laptop with Ubuntu 8.04
because there is no deal breaker for security when connected to the
outside world for me. Note that by version 8.10 mad wifi had worked out
a deal with Athros and a driver was supplied to the Linux team and
available with no more problems for my system. The closed part of the
driver was disclosed when it installed, but an easy decision to use it
was made.

One of the best parts of a growing and vocal Linux community, is the
power to be recognized by manufacturers in their effort to get market
share. We must use our numbers to get Linux supported by computer parts
manufacturers. Send an E-mail to the manufacture of anything that
doesn't just work! Let them know they are loosing sales and should
consider working with the Linux team of developer on drivers for the
Linux platform.

One more note: I sent this E-mail from my Aspire One Using a Mifi from
Virgin Mobile. I completely set it up while running Ubuntu 10.04 using
the browser. That is Linux support!