I downloaded the source code for the latest stock build v1.0.0.14, and found some things a bit perplexing:  It states in a text file: "This package has been built successfully on 32-bit i386 Fedora 6 Linux host machine. Compiling this package on platforms other than Fedora Core 6 may have unexpected results." Another is that the build dates from July, 2011; but was just released April, 2012.  To download the source on the following page, scroll down to WNR3500Lv2 to find the source:
http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2649
or use this direct link:
http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GPL/WNR3500Lv2-V1.0.0.14_37.0.50_src.tar.zip

I phoned Netgear (because I'm in my first 90 days), and eventually learned that they are about to release a new version of Genie software that they pulled from their download site; but I'm not sure if that includes a large version of the firmware.

The referenced version of Fedora is from ~2006, and most links to it are broken and I had a hard time finding a copy, which is now downloading from:
http://iso.linuxquestions.org/fedora/fedora-core-6/#x86_dvd
(choose a mirror, only a few are active)
(this may not have drivers for my newer machine, so do I need to break out a PC from 2002 that is sitting in the closet?)

And will use the following documentation:
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Tours/FedoraCore6

The current version is Fedora 16!  Why would they use such an old build, or is that text a carry-over, not to be taken seriously?  Is that really necessary when the hardware was designed no earlier than 2010?  Suggestions?  Could I use Fedora 16, or another *nix?  Netgear warns against it in their documentation.  Another spot in their documentation (forgot where) mentioned three acceptable OS's to build from, but perhaps that was for a particular module.  Additional modules must be downloaded to target MIPS.

Has anyone built any firmware over 8MB?  The stock firmware seems well organized, so adding functions seems relatively straightforward... or am I setting myself up to brick this thing?

[I intend to edit this post with new info after installing Fedora Core 6, 32 bit, and successfully building and uploading the stock firmware unmodified, to reflect replies,and to shorten it] 
[I split this subject from my other subject, building a firmware over 8MB; but can combine if preferred]