OpenSUSE Wireless :: Unable To Add An Entry For Phone Things Can Proceed

I'm at step 2c in the sticky "My wireless doesn't work - A primer." and yes, my HTC G1 phone isn't listed and your sticky says nothing more can be done. So, my question is how lsusb generates that list... Is it querying the device, extracts the information and prints that information to the display or is SuSE comparing whatever info is returned, matches that information (eg VendorID/ProductID) to a database of supported devices, then prints the result to display?

This is important, because if the former is true, then it looks like I may be SOL getting this to work in SuSE. If the latter is how things really work, then I assume that if I'm able to add an entry for my phone things can proceed.