review for isp's
 

What about having a review section for rating (and ranting about!) Linux friendly isp's? Getting a good hookup with Linux isn't all that easy. Most isp's want you to install their software and it's always for windoze and mac. The much advertised AT&T dsl offer desn't support Linux either.
thanks,
reddog

Good idea.
I begin. Here in France, we have one very linux-friendly isp. Its name is "free", and that's not a joke. Broadband, wifi, hdtv, hd on the wifi module to enable recording of fav programs, "pause" to freeze real-time tv viewing.
Fastest broadband of all French isps.
Bad reputation because quite hard to configure for beginners. Perfect dream for linuxians.
cheers

In the UK we don't have this problem - cable modems and ADSL modems work just fine. BT and friends don't advertise their Linux compatibility, but it's there nonetheless.

The way I see it,penguins will live in Croatia,soon.

Usually it's more of the cable/dsl modem that is at fault rather than the isp itself. (after all, they serve the same content) Your solution may be to simply hook up your modem to a router and use it that way.

I wasn't aware that some ISPs monitor what OS you're using. The only software Zoom provided was updated versions of IE and Outlook with home page and e-mail presets. Yes, that's Windows software, but it wasn't necessary. Firefox and Thunderbird work just fine. And there was no special software needed to get connected. I just plugged in my cable modem and pointed FF & TB in the right direction...

Cheers

Good question. I have RoadRunner through BrightHouse. They refuse to have anything to do with Linux. Their tech service people are forbidden to answer any questions on anything except Windows and Mac. The BrightHouse tech didn't even tell me I had the choice of Earthlink or AOL in place of RR. My son had Earthlink for a while, and said it might take a while to get through to one, but they did have people that could help with Linux.

While Linux works fine with RoadRunner, I was completely on my own setting it up.

That's something I didn't consider. In the seven years I've used Zoom, I've never had to call for technical assistance, so I can't actually say they "support" Linux. But, like your situation, Linux works fine on their system, and there was no Windows-specific software needed to connect.

Cheers

Most of my ''tech service'' calls involved a flaky modem. They can't even verify the modem isn't working without rebooting to Windows.

Almost sounds like an anti-Linux campaign. If the modem is working properly, then it should work with any OS, providing you're not dealing with one that requires OS-integrated drivers for which none have been written for Linux. After all, they all send/receive the same internet protocols. That's their only purpose, to code/decode information using a standardized format. It would be foolish for any OS author to write their software to use anything different. Of course, you already know that. But obviously, some people don't. And they call themselves "technical service personnel". HA!

Cheers

Ah, the joys of almost owning (it's a non-profit club) your ISP.

Here in Houston the local computer club, HAL-PC, operates its own ISP, HALNet. They offer DSL & dial-up. The dial-up is national, so I can, in theory, get connected anywhere in the US; but the DSL is local only. Too bad, I can't be tempted to break the LQ advertising rules & try to sign some of you up. :)

The back room loves FreeBSD & the Help Desk is staffed mainly by WinFolk. Still, HAL is HLUG's home & they wouldn't dare discriminate against Linux; instead they refer Linux questions to us penguins.

I hope our members realize how very lucky they are to have these resources available.


Lesson for Linux users: Investigate a prospective ISP before you sign up.

Drop Jeremy a line and see what options are available - if you don't ask....

You're right, I should. Maybe a per sign-up rather than a per click deal.

That assumes you really have a choice. While the BrightHouse techs may not be the brightest, the techs from the local phone company aren't in their league. You don't have to be good with a goverment protected monolopy. It is a cozy little deal, one small company providing local phone, internet, and cable in their fiefdom. As long as they don't offer phone service outside their territory, nobody else is allowed to compete. I have only escaped their clutches because then Time Warner managed to wire up my neighborhood first.

When I take the dog for a walk this afternoon, I am going to check where the digital age ends, maybe DSL, but no digital cable past a couple of blocks from here. I see a lot of Direct TV dishes. Oh, many of the cheaper dial ups are a long distance call from here. My Vonage number is in the same excange, making me a long distance call for my neighbors.

True.

Even if you don't, you can always decide to do w/o, or stick w/ dial-up -- assuming you can get a national service w/ a local # in your area. Ultimately, if you're willing to pay $50/mo. rather than $20, a more Linux-friendly satellite provider may be available.

Needless to say, if you decide against an ISP that you would have used except for their bad Linux support, you should tell them so -- loudly. You should/might call them back regularly & ask: "Are you Linux friendly yet? -- I'd really like to use your service, but I don't allow M$ products in my house." Or something like that.