Network Cards

[Todd B SanMillan]

I recently was given some WD8003e ethernet cards. While Linux is smart 
enough to figure out how to use them, Novell is not.  They are no longer 
supported, but SMC has an upgrade offer.  If I send in the cards, I can 
get their 16bit ISA card (Elite, I think) for $50 each. I don't have any 
critical need for networking, just trying to teach myself, so I don't 
need the best and the brightest. So I could just buy some NE2000 clones 
for less. What I would like is some feedback on experiences with cheap 
netcards.  Is this going to be a real headache getting them to work?  Any 
brands to avoid? Should I just go ahead and take advantage of this 
*special offer*?
TIA 
Todd