Hi all, I just bought an Acer Aspire that only uses Linux...and I'm a complete novice! After I bought it I tried to use my Optus wireless broadband to connect to the internet but was told it isn't compatible. I've asked in a Telsta shop, 3G, Vodaphone and a couple of other places but I might as well be talking Gibberish 'cause no-one seems to know whether or not their services are compatible with my Laptop. The Aspire is great because it's small enough to fit in my bag and does everything I need to do on the run...BUT internet access is vital for me! It has to be quick and reliable. Are there any sites I can download free internet access?( other than getting my coffee from Macdonald's!) If not, who do you recommend I should buy access from?
Thanks, Shaz

Welcome to LQ.

First of all, a Linux machine with a functioning wireless interface with proper configuration should be able to connect to any wireless router. The wireless protocol doesn't require any particular operating system.

I think the next step is to figure out what wireless interface card is in the Acer Aspire. I have no idea, but it should be included in the specs for the machine.

To see if the wireless card drivers are being loaded, you can enter the command iwconfig as the root user in a terminal window.

If it says no wireless interfaces found, then you know why you can't connect.

It will also help if you tell us what Linux distribution is on the laptop (e.g. Ubuntu, etc).

Cheers,

Dave

Optus prepaid wireless broadband IS Windows Only. It won't work with MAC OS or linux. Are they insane?

besides wireless, i think he is speaking about mobile internet (Vodaphone in my country is a mobile company like AT&T is in USA). He wants to know what "modem" (in lack of a better word) he should buy so he may use mobile internet when there is no free access point around.