>> If you do have the source code to you linux kernel and have
>> compiled it (and if you haven't compiled a customized kernel,
>> you *should*), then you should find the latest version of

This is just silly advice. It is like telling someone who has just bought a
car that what they should do is to strip the engine down and relap the
rings. You are far far far more likely to mess it up than make anything
better. After a couple of weeks of tearing out you hair you may find
yourself better educated, but most people see computers like cars as tools.
Some see them as hobies which is fine, but for most this is just silly.

>> ndiswrapper and the latest wireless tools package, and compile
>> those for use if the one you have is not the same.

You can compile them against your kernel without recompiling the kernel.