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

[LinuxRocks!]

Darren,
	Getting one of these for $50 is not too easy! often wrt54g's 
will go on sale for $50, but they are never the "L" version, and always 
the newwest version. I spent a week on ebay trying to get several usable 
units, and I think i paid about $60 each for used routers, I wish i 
could have gotten new ones for $50!

	Did you look over the wikipedia link in one of my previous 
messages? wrt54g models 2-4, gs models 1-4 will take aftermarket 
firmware w/out issue. Versions 5 and 6 can also, but Last i checked it 
was a real pain in the butt. 

The wrt54gl apears to be the exact same thing as a wrt54g v4. and a lot 
easier to find!

Jamie

On Wed, Dec 06, 2006 at 06:35:29PM -0800, Darren Hayes wrote:
> From: "Darren Hayes" <darrenh41 at comcast.net>
> To: "Eugene Unix and Gnu/Linux User Group" <euglug at euglug.org>
> Subject: Re: [Eug-lug] Linksys router WRT54GL (was AVG)
> Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 18:35:29 -0800
> X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1506
> 
> <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
> 
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