[clue-tech] Debian on my thinkpad r41

[Ken MacFerrin]

David L. Anselmi wrote:
> Ken MacFerrin wrote:
> [...]
>> The last time I did this using Debian 3.1 I had to custom compile the
>> kernel modules to get wifi going and spend hours tweaking to get the
>> same polished desktop feel as Xubuntu has out of the box.  I really
>> enjoy pure Debian, but for a laptop install the *ubuntu folks have me
>> sold.
> 
> All I had to do to get Debian to do wireless well was look up what my
> laptop needed for drivers and what a good UI was.  Once the packages
> were installed I didn't even really need to read the directions.  I
> think kernel wifi support and Debian have come a ways since your
> experience.

Looks like you're right.  My biggest problem was that I needed the
Atheros/madwifi drivers and at the time they were no official packages
for them.  A quick google search shows they've since been added to the
non-free section so it no longer requires rebuilding the modules after
every kernel update.. much less painful.

-Ken