Hi,
You can use the iwconfig command to configure the card.

Once you've inserted the card (and it's, er 'beeped') run the dmesg command. This will give you a log of what the kernel has been doing and should indicate as to wether or not the driver (kernel module) for your card has been loaded.

Also try the lsmod command to see what modules are currently loaded.

This site should help - http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/Orinoco.html

Apparently you can put a hermes card into monitor mode... but only if you have version 4.x firmware.

Anyone tried downgrading thier cards this far?

Prism based cards can be had for 'nout on www.ebay.com however.

--Bovine