ok...seems it IS a hardware issue.  Windows is also having the problem,
though it is harder to notice, since it automatically resets the
networking if it is down when there is a request.
Any suggestions on a better network card to use without spending a lot of
money?
I think this is the 4th linksys card i've had die on me in not as many
years, so i'm ready to try something else.

- Kremer