ISP does not 'support' Linux
Here's an idea arising from the 'Non-Linux-aware ISP: please spoon feed'
thread. How many ISP's helplines say 'we do not support Linux'? Most
ISP's seem to have a webpage with connection instructions for Windows
users. Why not instructions for Linux?
Suppose everyone with a dialup account were to email their ISP(s) with a
customised set of instructions suitable for them to put on their
website? They might at least start to think about it. I have attached a
possible template. Comments welcome!
How it might work:
1. Use a text editor with DOS/Windows end-of-lines (eg vim, kwrite,
others?).
2. Edit the items in square brackets [] to include ISP-specific
information. Choose the appropriate version of section 6 (static or
dynamic DNS). Fill in the revision info at the head of the document.
3. Email customer services and the webmaster with the modified attachment.
Some thoughts:
I know that the Gnome applet 'Modem Light' has a button that runs pon
and poff. Is there an equivalent in KDE?
I assume that other distros use ppp in the same way. Is that so?
Cheers,
Chris.
--
: ___ Chris Lale <ctlale@coolscience.co.uk> :
: / \ :
: | <_/ My PC runs Debian GNU/Linux 3.0. :
: \ Robust, secure and free operating system + applications. :
: \ Available at http://www.debian.org :
<!-- linux-isp.txt Copyright (c) 2002 Chris Lale
chrislale@users.sourceforge.net Permission is granted to copy,
distribute and/or modify this document with no Invariant Sections,
with no Front-Cover texts and with no Back-Cover Texts under the terms
of the GNU Free Documentation License, version 1.1 or any later
version, published by the Free Software Foundation. A copy of the
license can be found at http://www.fsf.org/copyleft/fdl.html.
-->
<!-- Revision history
Revision 1.0, 29th November 2002, Chris Lale, Initial release
Revision 1.1, [date], [name], Modified for use with [ISP's name]
-->
How to connect to [ISP name]
----------------------------
These are brief instructions. You can find more detailed, general help at
http://newbiedoc.sourceforge.net.
1. You must have ppp installed on your computer. You must use the command line.
(If you are using an X-window system console, open a terminal window.)
2. Make sure that you are logged in as root. (This is normally achieved by
switching user with the su command at the command line.)
3. Run pppconfig. Navigate the menus using the spacebar, arrow, tab, and enter keys.
4. Create a connection.
5. Leave the 'Provider Name' as 'provider' (the default).
6. Configure nameservers (DNS).
a. Use static DNS
b. Enter [nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn] for the primary nameserver.
c. Enter [nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn] for the secondary nameserver.
<!-- EITHER use the following section to replace 6. above
OR delete it:
6. Configure nameservers (DNS) by choosing 'Use dynamic DNS'.
-->
7. Select [PAP] as the authentication method.
8. Enter your username at [ISP].
9. Enter your password at [ISP].
10. Leave the modem 'Speed' as '115200' (the default).
11. Choose pulse or tone dialing. (Most people have tone dialing - the
telephone emits a note for each digit dialled.)
12. Enter this telephone number : [nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn].
13. Make sure that your modem is connected and switched on. The modem must be a
serial modem and not a 'Winmodem'.
14. Choose modem configuration method. Answer 'yes' for automatic detection.
After a short time you will see a list of ports with your modem port
pre-selected. Accept the selection.
15. Choose 'Advanced Options' from the properties summary screen.
16. Choose 'Add-user' to add a ppp user. Enter the name of a user on your
computer. This enables the user to dial up. Repeat for other users of your
computer if needed.
17. Choose 'Previous' to return to the previous menu.
18. Choose 'Finished' to write files and return to the main menu.
19. After the message confirming taht your configuration thatbeen saved, choose
'Quit' to exit pppconfig.
How to use ppp to dial up.
--------------------------
>From a terminal (or a terminal window in X) enter 'pon' to start a connection
and 'poff' to end a connection.
>From the Gnome desktop use the 'Modem Lights' applet (Applets > Network > Modem
Lights). Click on the single LED to start or end a connection.
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