It has been a while coming...
Wireless connections work fine for simple applications like the odd bit of browsing but I have been finding that with any volume of use they fall over. Admittedly the expensive Cisco kit at work never fails but cheap USB wireless is unreliable.
I have tried a number of brands and have settled over the years on Netgear, no frills, decent value, but no help on the wireless front.
My last attempt has been a WPN111 which uses the standard netgear config software (so in conjunction with Vista or Windows 7 you are doomed to pain).
Actually, the device works well when it works, unfortunately it cannot cope well with sleep so frequently has to be unplugged to force a reset (and to cool down). I have tried every setting possible on Windows 7 to no avail.
I understand that PCI based wireless is better but as no one seems to say much good in the reviews of current products that seems a waste.
Luckily, we have just relocated my satellite cable so took the opportunity to run a lan cble.
Ah, networking problems solved.