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

[Allen Brown]

I bought mine on the web.  But I think I paid more than that.
-- 
Allen Brown  abrown at peak.org  http://69.59.200.90/~abrown/
   If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed.
   If you are thinking 10 years ahead, plant a tree.
   If you are thinking 100 years ahead, educate the people.
   --- Kuan Tzu (circa 500 B.C.)

Darren Hayes wrote:
> <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