I am an absolute Linux newbie, and don't understand half of the terms used...

I loaded Fedora 8 onto what was a Windows XP box. The OS runs fine, but I want to connect to the internet. XP used to use a BT Voyager 1055 modem plugged into a USB port; I would like to be able to use it again under Linux if possible.

I gather that I need the correct driver to be able to talk to the modem. How do I get and install the correct one? Would it be simpler to buy a new modem - one that Fedora can identify and use "out of the box"?

Thanks!

Linux will usually look for a /dev/modem device. This probably doesn't exist, since your USB modem will show up as a USB to serial device, probably under a device name like /dev/ttyUSB0, or something similar.

Point your dialer to that device, and it should work. If your dialing program won't go to that device, you can symlink it. As root, type in "ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/modem". Replace the ttyUSB0 with whatever your device name is.