Hay una review que explica algo del tema, en una version normal de Linux no creo que incluya los drivers Madwifi para sacarle provecho al chisme. Hablan de una distro especilizada, quizas puedas pillar los drivers de un Backtrack4 con estas ideas que lanzan.
Corto y pego....
Cons:
- takes some time to figure out how to use the full power in linux for cracking
wireless networks, but if used just as client, no cons
Other Thoughts:
here i would like to specify how to squeeze all the powers inside this nice thingy:
- download BT4
- apt-get update, upgrade and dist-upgrade is advised bud probably not required
- now there are TWO drivers and each other has different features:
-> RTL8187 driver is for client usage. it has stable packet flow and even supports injection. but the power is limited to 13dBm (19mW)
-> r8187 driver on the other hand might be quite unstable for daily client usage, but not only it supports injection, but you can also enable the "highpower" feature, allowing you to go up to 1000mW (confirmed by myself) and also enable "fasttx" allowing much faster packet transmission
- in BT4 there is RTL8187 enabled by default and you need to get rid of it. well not rly, just disable it:
-- unplug the device
-- type "rmmod rtl8187"
-- change "blacklist r8187" to "blacklist rtl8187" in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist (should be around the last line)
-- type "depmod -ae"
-- plug the device back in
-- to confirm its running, type "lsmod | grep 8187" -> you should see r8187
- now that you have the driver enable, we can continue to enabling those brutal features

)
- by typing "iwpriv wlan1" (wlan1 is your device name) it should list 4 features which you can control... to change the value type "iwpriv wlan1 name value" (for exmaple "iwpriv wlan1 highpower 1")
- after enabling "highpower", you can use "iwconfig wlan1 txpower XX", where XX is the new power in dBm (0-30). then use "iwlist wlan1 txpower" to find out, how much mW are those dBm you just set
- be aware that the more you set the txpower, the more may be audible the phenomenon of "squeeking"... i dont know how else to describe it... its just that when you are using more than, lets say 11dBm and you are transmitting intensively (most times during injection), the unit is making squeeking sounds. according to lot of forums, this is normal effect and its ok. according to r8187 installation manual, however, it might be dangerous to use more power than 13dBm/19mW (default value) might damage your device... i think its fine, just keep checking the temperature when using this value... i might even modify it to add active cooling fan from some old PC to allow me use the full power... and i think i will need some aluminium helmet

D