Using NdisWrapper tutorial for wireless net cards would be a great wiki article.
Ndis wrapper uses windows drivers to allow linux to use the wireless cards.

I have a compaq presario v5000 and have the bcmwl5 sys and ini but don't knwo where to put them and how to find what kind of card is in my laptop. Chips other id's etc. I have a wide open network no password.

I am running the newest cd of knoppix 5.01 i think I can hold stuff on a usb.