Somehow I was unhappy over Network Manager for the amount of time it takes to connect to a network every time it gets disconnected. This led me to search for a replacement for Network Manager. I never thought that there would be one. However I found out wicd being listed in couple of blogs and wikis. So I set out on trying wicd myself. Till now the experience has been better than Network Manager.
Since I use a ubuntu distro all I had to do was add
"http://apt.wicd.net hardy extras" my /etc/apt/sources.list file; followed by
"wget -q http://apt.wicd.net/wicd.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -" It automatically uninstalled Network Manager. On the next login, wicd showed the networks available and the preferences window gives much needed choice of drivers to choose etc etc.wicd seems to give better performance and stability. On hardy with intel 3945 wireless card, Network manager was stuck eternally trying to find the network. Wicd gives you a choice to choose between wext, ipw, madwifi and with wext it was able to connect.
Also wicd was able to list other wireless networks and the kind of security they had. (Inspite of terror mails from unsecured wireless locations, I still find people near my house using unsecured wireless) Moreover it seems to recognize LEAP by default, I have to try it at office to see if really works with LEAP authentication.
I suggest try replacing network-manager to wicd and you may start liking what you get.
For more information on wicd and howto download and install for other distros please refer
http://wicd.sourceforge.net/download.php
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