OK, so, at home, I just got a satellite modem. Which, now that it is
working, works better than I thought it would. So, being the total geek
that I am, I decided that I *must* have a wireless network at my house for my
laptop. (might as well, right?) So, this is the story:
1) I bought the Linksys WAP11 which was either defective or didn't like my
switch and would not be recognized no way no how.
2) CompUSA dude talked me into getting the router based one, which, after
some discovery, I found out that routers and satellite connections don't
mix.
3) Got tired with linksys and bought a Belkin Access Point instead (and
belkin card for the Laptop) which was cheaper, and the AP is very little and you
install the software prior to hooking it up (which seems smart but not something
that Linksys does). Got home and realized that Belkin did not include a
CAT5 with the AP like Linksys did. So, I set up the AP with a cross over
cable even though it said that you can't and had it somewhat working. Went
to bed because my hubby was yelling at me (I guess you are supposed to sleep
more than 4 hours a night or something.)
4) Got the correct cable, got everything happy- but couldn't connect.
At this point I was about to throw the laptop out the window. Easy fix-
being the idiot that I was (and should have *really* known better) I forgot to
correctly configure my firewall to allow the laptop access (oops! almost
had a broken laptop over pure stupidity).
5) I am now posting from my now wireless laptop!!! 
6) I now have to fight off my husband from trying to hijack the laptop and
turning it into his "race car shop in the pole barn" computer now that it has a
wireless connection....... 
