Auto-NDISwrapper

I just came across this project, I am not sure if it works on the Dell Inspiron 1501 but it's worth trying and leaving feedback for everyone else.

Auto-NDISwrapper: Linux Wi-Fi as easy as it can get
This program automatically looks at what Wi-Fi card you have, it disables any wireless driver currently installed, fetches the correct Windows driver from the Internet and installs it with NDISwrapper.

You can check out their Launchpad page here

You can download the package here

For help installing a tarball package

Configure Your System With Ubuntu Tweak

Ubuntu Tweak is an application designed to make configuring Ubuntu easier. It provides many useful desktop and system options that the default desktop environment doesn't easily provide. It also offers easy installation of popular programs and 3rd party repositories. It is only designed for an Ubuntu GNOME Desktop, and is available for both Ubuntu 8.10 and Ubuntu 8.04 but not for the lpia architecture.

Ubuntu Tweak provides system information:

- these screenshots are from my desktop, not my Dell Inspiron 1501.

Easy installation of popular applications & 3rd party repositories:

- I recommend Ubuntu Tweak as the easy and safe way to install OpenOffice 3.0 Wine, Banshee, Mail Notification, Gnome Do and many other programs.

Configuring your startup programs (Autostart):

- Great for stopping unneeded wanted programs from booting at start up. Making your PC boot faster.

System, Gnome & Nautilus Tweaks:


I enjoy using Ubuntu Tweak, even though it is just a graphical user interface for other graphical user interfaces. All these 'tweaks' can be done through Gconf and editing source lists. The advantage of Ubuntu Tweak is that it has all these options together in one place, listed and presented in a easy to understand format. You still can mess up your install or nerf your system if you are not careful.

Installating Ubuntu Tweak
1. Download the lastest version of Ubuntu Tweak
-or-
2. Install the Ubuntu Tweak Repository
In a terminal type:

sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com FE85409EEAB40ECCB65740816AF0E1940624A220

- to add the repository key

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

- to open your repository source list

Add the repository for your version of Ubuntu at the end of your source list
-for Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy heron

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu hardy main

deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu hardy main

- for Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu intrepid main

deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu intrepid main

In a terminal type:

sudo apt-get update

- to update your sources

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

- to install Ubuntu Tweak