Setting up

Download the firmware Hak5 download centre
plug in the pineapple to the PC using the USB Y-cable: both USB ends in the PC and the female usb onto the pineapple
surf to http://172.16.42.1:1471
follow instructions and then:

Windows

you get a new network connection
In network connections rename the new ASIX USB network to pineapple using F2
In your internet connection, right click -> properties -> sharing -> set to on -> select pineapple in the drop down list (home networking connection) and apply
Pineapple connection, right click -> properties -> set ipv4 address to 172.16.42.42, netmask 255.255.255.0. Gateway and DNS stays empty

Now continue under Both

  lsusb

shows you an ASIX fast ethernet card

  ifconfig | grep eth

shows you a new usb ethernet port

  wget wifipineapple.com/wp6.sh
  chmod +x wp6.sh
  sudo ./wp6.sh

Now you can surf to http://172.16.42.1:1471 and load the bulletins - now you know you're online.