Frustrating connection... Please help my situation

OK, so I signed up for a 9 month lease at an apartment complex that offers a wireless connection. I believe they set up hubs (I dont know how many) around the complex that transmit a wireless signal. I picked up the linksys WMP54G (I believe) to get my desktop online. I didn't think it'd be so horrible, but dear lord, it is. I figured that if I'd be able to hear every single conversation of my next door neighbors, SURELY Id be able to get a decent connection, but oh no. Not even the slightest.

The very best connection I get is less than 60% daily. On some very very rare occasion, I can get 70%, but thats happened like two times this entire semester.

Currently, I have my desktop on a chair, about 2 feet away from the desk, and I just swing it around because it seems that I get a better connection a different day each day.

This is frustrating. ITs stupposed to be "highspeed", but I can assure you its not. Usually I run at 100-200kbps, but right now Im running slower than 56k.

I dont know anything about wireless networking. Im very new to it and it really doesnt make any sense right now. Like, right now I can go to my connection panel and it will tell me that Im connected at a speed of 11mbps. I dont know if this number just signifies strength or if it signifies the maximum speed I can obtain, or what.

I plan to own a Wii this fall and I want to be able to get it online. I also want to get SOMETHING that can perhaps receive a stronger signal for my PC because right now, this isnt working.

Can you guys help me in any way? What can I do to get a better connection for my PC and get my Wii connected online?

Thanks for any and all help. I appreciate it.

It does not matter how fast is the "Hub", if your signal is weaak then probably your speed will suc, obviously the transmitting power of the wireless router is weak and thats why you have to change positions often to get decent connection, if you are paying for the service then probably you should speak to the provider either to reposition the router to a better position or to increase the antenna power or complete the whole system into a decent one, however if you are not paying then the moving chair sounds a good solution.
I recommend 3com office connect with built in firewall with a dual antenna.

Thanks for the input, microeye.

Ill look into this 3com.

Yeah, the ISP is provided as part of our rent. There isnt much I can do about it. My roommate has a laptop and can connect in the living room with very little problem, and gets a great connection.

I plan to set up a little table for the 3com and get it in an area that gets the best connection. My room seems to get the worst.

The 3com wouldnt have any troubles receiving the wireless signal, correct?

One thing I figured I should add, when you start up a browser, you have to log in with a provided account and password to actually begin browsing. This wouldnt have any hindrance in getting the router to transmit a signal, would it?

the 3com is a wifi router that has to be connected to a main internet connection and then it would distribute the signal and this is the setup your landlord probably have otherwise you would have to connect thru a cable(which you are not). Since your roommate can receive a good signal and you cant might be for the mere fact that his/her hardware is better than yours or you simply need to upgrade your drivers, I faced the same problem with my Thinkpad and I upgraded the software and drivers and everything is fine.
So bottom line you have two solutions:
-Subscribe to an internet connection yourself, and have your won ocnnection in the room.
- Ask the landlord to do something.
- Upgrade your drivers, most decent laptop brands have free monline upgrades.

Let me know how things go.