[Eug-lug] Linksys router WRT54GL (was AVG)

[Darren Hayes]

<badd_karma at comcast.net wrote:>
>
> Buy a WRT54GL (The 'L' is important). They run ~$50-$60.

A short holiday shopping story...

I visited BestBuy, Circuit City, Staples, Office Depot and Office Max and
none carry the "L" version.

During a couple of the in-store visits, after learning the "L" version was
unheard of by all, I turned for the door only to be stalled by a persistent
"sales/tech rep" suggesting that I have no "need" for the "L" version,
reporting all of the routers they sell "support" or are "compatible" with
Linux, concluding with a sales pitch for the "brand new" WRT54G model.
version 6.

Knowing just a little better (only because I read a little), I attempted to
interject/explain...that I was not asking for Linux "support" or
"compatibility". Instead I desired a router that "runs Linux" and the router
that fits the bill for me on this particular day is the WRT54GL version with
a CAPITAL "L".

The reps continue on... not really listening... trying to convince me
otherwise, that I'm confused on the subject, that I don't need a router that
"runs" Linux. I could sense they were awfully unaware that a router actually
ran on an OS ;-)

Normally I would consider such uninformed heavy preaching of the "facts"
from a tech or sales rep a over the top, and prompt me to request a
background check/copy of their nerd degree... but in both cases I found the
back and forth banter quite humorous. And knowing the endgame was near
helped the spirit.

So when I further explained that most previous versions of the WRT54G ran
"Linux", but current versions do not, except for the "L" version, both sales
reps refused to budge from their concrete positions.

Finally I would say "lets look it up on the web".

Checkmate. When the "truth" showed it's non-ugly face, other faces turned
ugly red, and the last famous words "oh... sorry" could be heard as the
sales rep turned to make a get-away in the hope of locating a hopefully
uninformed customer to "support". Poor soul(s).

So was anything learned here? Nope. Not by me at least as I was not
expecting anything more from a big box vendor  And I'm quite certain the
same mistaken sales pitch has already been practiced on the next "confused
"customer at any/all of these stores.

On the other hand I also called VOS Computers and had the exact same
experience with an "A+" certified technician. Must be a sales/support virus
going around.

So if anyone can locally source a new "L" for $50, as Garl quotes, I will
certainly buy two of them. And will put up for the higher dB gain antennas.

Mr. O, do you carry Linksys routers?

Back to reading www.linksysinfo.org

Darren