LXer: Comcast Gives Cold-Shoulder To Non-Profit School Running Linux

LXer · 08-13-2008, 10:20 AM

Published at LXer:

New Generation is a non-profit private school running Ubuntu Linux. During a recent Internet outage, Comcast refused to give tech support, due to their use of Linux.

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rickh · 08-13-2008, 11:21 AM

I commented on the article...

Quote:

On the rare occasions I have had to contact my cable ISP for support, I have told them I was using Linux, but would be able to execute whatever commands they required. I have always found them to be agreeable and helpful.

I do sympathize with the techs when they are forced to deal with totally computer illiterate people regardless of the OS they use. In this case, my guess is that resetting the modem and rebooting the computer, or restarting the network would have solved the problem.

The support folks should have at least been able to manage that.

Hangdog42 · 08-13-2008, 12:05 PM

You very obviously do not have Comcast as your cable ISP. As one of their victims/customers, I can assure you that the people in the article got exactly the same kind of service that I've gotten from these clowns. I do pity their tech support, it is very obvious that they are either WAY over their head, even with Windows, or that if they do have a clue, they aren't allowed to deviate even a little bit from their script. Personally, I stopped calling Comcast because it was brutally obvious that they simply can't help. If a reboot doesn't solve the problem, they're clueless. I'd switch ISPs, but where I live the only other alternative is dial-up. So much for competition in the marketplace.

rickh · 08-13-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

You very obviously do not have Comcast as your cable ISP

Comcast is my ISP. The trick is to tell them right up front that you're using Linux, but they don't have to worry about it. They can read right down their list, and you'll be able to translate.

Hangdog42 · 08-13-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Comcast is my ISP. The trick is to tell them right up front that you're using Linux, but they don't have to worry about it. They can read right down their list, and you'll be able to translate.

We must be getting different call centers because every time I've said I use Linux, the call pretty much ends right there. They wouldn't even begin to work with me.

pwalden · 08-29-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hangdog42

We must be getting different call centers because every time I've said I use Linux, the call pretty much ends right there. They wouldn't even begin to work with me.

You are both right. I have just learned to lie and pretend I have Windows. That way we go through their list and I translate into what I have to do.