Bug or feature? WRT54G firmware sequel

I can't open some sites with my WRT54 (v7, what else). The ripe DB is such an example. When I connect my computer directly to my cable modem, it works, along will the couple other sites I found not working with the router. Today I spent again a hour or so with finding ways to upgrade the buggy firmware of my Linksys WRT54G. There is a 7.00.4 firmware available for download here, and also a beta 7.00.7 firmware here. Warning, don't try to use the mysterious 7.2 firmware available on the Linksys site. It's not for the version 7 hardware.
The version 7 hw has less memory than previous versions and also it has a Athereos chipset instead of the previously used Broadcom. Athereos drivers are bigger so it won't fit into the smaller memory. That's why no 3rd party firmware supports this router. Also I read other peoples complaints about sudden crashes, especially under high load (when using torrent).
Alright, there are official updates from time to time...
...but I can't upgrade the bloody firmware. I tried it from LAN and wireless, with and without an internet connection, it just does not work. I looked into the webpage source, and it dumbly increases a counter and advances a progress bar. There is however no network activity between my computer and the router:


I don't want to waste any more time with this. Next time I buy a router, I'm gonna pick one that I know supports OpenWrt. And it won't be a Linksys router I guess. :-)