I'm using Ubuntu 8.04 now, and unfortunately I have to manually configure my wireless usb device because for some reason auto-detect does not work. Also, there's not an option under automatic to allow WPA encryption, which I use.

I have my SSID and encryption stuff all set manually, however, if I change DNS to anything other than 10.0.0.1 I lose my connection. (It seems I mistakenly assumed the DNS should be the IP of my router...which is nearly the default cisco IP, nowhere near 10.0.0.1). When I run wireshark, it shows a great deal of activity between my computer, my router, and what I assume to be my neighbor's netgear router that my wireless antenna is just barely in range of. At times, if I run trace rt from an external website to my computer, it shows that I am connecting using Bellsouth. I have Comcast...I believe my neighbor uses Bellsouth. Wtf. The majority of the strange-looking activity are ARP packets from my router asking "Netgear" "Who has 10.0.0.1? Tell 10.0.0.2." Netgear will answer with "10.0.0.1 is at (insert random MAC address here)". I imagine I'm showing my ignorance in this area...but whatever. It confuses me. Any guidance would be hot!