How do I establish a wireless network behind a public one?

Ok here's the set-up.

I have an XBMC (Set-top DVR/Shoutcast/Streaming media from a modded
Xbox), wifi laptop, old laptop, and Netgear MR814v2 that was all linked
together nicely behind a cable modem. I've since moved into a sublet
that is up in 6 weeks, so DSL/Cable modem installation is out.

I'd like to get the ol'XBMC back on-line so I can listen to shout cast
this summer.

1. Nieghborhood has a bunch of open networks, including the local
university network, which I'm entitled to log onto.

2. Currently I get a "very low" and unstable signal with the built in
laptop wi-fi, and the best signal ("very good") is through a USB Noodle
Setup:

<http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/25/229245&mode=thread&tid=137&tid=193&tid=215>
<http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/>

3. What I'd like to do is WiFi USB into old laptop out via ethernet to
MR814v2, which interns splits the single to ethernet to the XBMC and
wifi to my new laptop around the appartment.

Possible? I've tried the XP connection bridging, but haven't gotten
the set up to take.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Ned


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ned