Odd mic question/need suggestion

[BNGU-Sorn]

Hello all!

So I'm just about to start a podcast series with a group of very good friends, and we have a bit of a snare. Because our podcasts are going to be about our d&d group, we kinda lack table space for a mic, due to dice, maps, player guide books, etc. being strewn about. As is common amongst gamers.

So one solution that someone suggested was a hanging mic from the ceiling, as he has a spare hook above the table to be used, where a lamp used to be.

And as for a wireless mic, I'm mildly concerned about compatiblity, as I had to reformat my pc to Ubuntu 8.10 (long story)

The primary limiting factors are availabiliy (we'd like to hopeflly record this saturday) and price (we dont quite want to invest in a very expensive mic just yet, want to test the waters first and see if anyone actually listens to us first).

TL;DR: Does anyone have a decently cheap suggestion for either a wired or wireless(Linux compatible please!) mic for recording a group of about 6-7 people?

I know that similar questions have probably been fielded, but I feel I may fail at search function usage as I could not find a specific answer.

Thank you kindly for any and all help!

[Azure]

It's going to be awkward with so many people, one of the Samson USB mics has two directions ( CO3U I think), but if you're on Ubuntu I have no idea if you'd be able to get drivers.
How about getting a full size mic stand, as long as your mic records from the sides rather than top you can seat 3 or so people on each side. Though I'm not sure where you'd put the DM on that set up. :)

[BNGU-Sorn]

I'd been taking a look at the zoom h2 ,chiefly for the quad mic, and the small size is less likely to cause harm if suspended from the ceiling hooks. The price is primarily wht puts me off, and I'm not 100% sure if i'll do the trick.

The linux platform problem has been nerfed, as the missus has acquired a lovely HP-touch smart tablet laptop for her drawing. boo vista, yay new shiny laptop!