Will an external dial-up device usually work after config. in Mepis or Linspire? It will take some time to config., so I'm not sure I want to subscribe to a dial-up service if there is 50% chance of not working unless many more hours are involved. Thanks, Jim

With dialup you just configure with:

ppp

Do this:

apt-cache search ppp

look at what comes up and install:

ppp

and:

kppp

if KDE is running. Otherwise:

man ppp

It depends on what you mean by an external modem. If it is a serial modem i.e connects to a 9 pin connector on the computer then you will not have any problems getting it to work with any linux distribution. If it is a USB modem then it depends on the chipset and might require some extra time to configure. Check the linux-usb website for a list of compatable hardware.

I set this up recently, and some services will not work with Linux. They require downloading and running some software that manages the connection and, of course, this won't work in Linux. NetZero falls into this category, even though they offer software in the Linspire distribution. I could never get it to work in Slackware.

I use Copper.net for the dial up connection. It does not require special software, and is Linux friendly.

Surpluscomputers.com sells an internal hardware modem that works fine in Linux for about $15. A serial modem is going to be more like $50.


Good luck.

C

Thank you all for your tech. support advice. I will print it & attend to the suggestions later, as I'm busy being Mrs. Santa's Helper.
My best to you all,
Jim