[the invisib1e hand]

I have made my living programming computers for a number of years now. And the router I own -- a belkin Staples special -- seems to work most of the time but did take an entire evening to figure out how to set up -- including a support call to -- i think it was the phillipines - and which still takes forever to actually connect to my laptop each time I boot, and with which any encounter longer than said automatic connection I dread tremendously.

I am given to believe this is the nature of wireless routers in general.

[RightOnline]

No, it’s not the nature of wireless routers. Seems like you may have range or other interference issues. Mine connects damned fast whenever I reboot; has been that way with every wireless router I’ve owned (and that’s been quite a few). You may very well consider a new 802.11n router. Again, I’ve had pretty good luck with D-Link. They’re very flexible (LOTS of setup options), but not complicated to set up in the least.

They’re also quite inexpensive; can get an n-level (i.e. latest and greatest) unit for under $100.