On my third attempt, I'm pretty sure I now have a wireless card that I can use with hostapd to add wireless goodness to my home network. As a back-up plan I also have a cheap wireless access point/repeater which could provide AP functionality to the router's spare Ethernet port (and if I don't need it, I can see if I can use it to fix my colleague's network, which is a little wide for only G).

But best of all (and the reason for the hurry on the wireless front) is a Nokia N770 internet tablet*, now quite reasonable since the N800 came out, and useful for all manner of remote-controlling, wireless testing, eBook reading, music playing and so on. And that's even before I get it out of the house (where my wireless availability is likely to be less, but may still be non-zero at times).

* I'd link the manufacturer's website, but I can't find it there...