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Just trying to help! : )<BR>
<BR>
My first encounter with AT&T tech support went kinda this way...<BR>
<BR>
Tech: "What version of Windows are you using sir?"<BR>
Me: "Fedora 12"<BR>
Tech: ....long silence...<BR>
Tech: "Errr...12?"<BR>
Me: "I use Fedora 12"<BR>
Tech: ...more confused silence...<BR>
Me: "That's Linux"<BR>
Tech: ...stammers for words...<BR>
Me: "I don't do windows...I take it you don't know what Linux is?"<BR>
Tech: "No sir, you have to have Windows. I recommend you install Windows."<BR>
<BR>
You can imagine my response to that. I think you need to call support before 3pm eastern to get a native english speaker (not an off-shore type) who might have a clue. <BR>
<BR>
CLEAR on the other hand totally understood that I run Linux and knew what it was. Their techs wouldn't fight with me about OS and filled my needs w/o grief. They had a clue. AT&T is totally clueless...sorry to say that but it is my honest opinion and observation. Somewhere in that mass of support there must be someone who gets it but I never found them.<BR>
<BR>
Oh yeah...most of these outfits don't support Chrome either. A double whammy from me as I use it exclusively (unless a site absolutely won't support it then run Firefox)....so keep that in mind when getting ready to deal with a new ISP.<BR>
<BR>
RinL<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
-----Original Message-----<BR>
<B>From</B>: John <<A HREF="mailto:John%20%3cjdp@algoloma.com%3e">jdp@algoloma.com</A>><BR>
<B>Reply-to</B>: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale@ale.org><BR>
<B>To</B>: <A HREF="mailto:ale@ale.org">ale@ale.org</A><BR>
<B>Subject</B>: Re: [ale] Better ISP?<BR>
<B>Date</B>: Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:28:56 -0500<BR>
<BR>
<PRE>
Thanks for the correction.
Here's a link that may be helpful.
<A HREF="http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=7305">http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=7305</A>
It does say that "Linux operating systems are compatible, but not
supported."
On 01/05/2011 09:08 AM, Richard Faulkner wrote:
> Window$ installation disk is not required to complete the DSL set-up for
> AT&T. It provides an interface to talk with the modem and really isn't
> needed. All you have to do is to http to the modem (which offers a web
> interface - obviously) and do the set-up there. Most any tech will walk
> you through it and AT&T does have a special number to call for support
> for those connecting for the first time and driving non-supported OSes.
>
> You DO have to be VERY specific on AT&T NOT sending out a connection kit
> when signing-up. I told them I was running Linux and NO M$...they sent
> one anyway. Several more phone calls I finally "kinda" got a credit for
> the kit -- waste of time but I don't have any other choices at the
> moment. (I won't go to Comcast and have no need for a T).
>
> RinL
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John<<A HREF="mailto:jdp@algoloma.com">jdp@algoloma.com</A>>
> Reply-to: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts<<A HREF="mailto:ale@ale.org">ale@ale.org</A>>
> To: <A HREF="mailto:ale@ale.org">ale@ale.org</A>
> Subject: Re: [ale] Better ISP?
> Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:59:57 -0500
>
>
> If you are still on dial up and price is a concern, take a look at the
> extremely basic DSL from AT&T at $14.95/month. You probably can't use
> VoIP over that connection, but my mother has been on it for the last 4
> yrs after holding out on dialup for 15 yrs over price. She runs Linux
> ... now and will never go back to dialup. She likes the simplicity of
> always-on ISP service.
>
> You may need a Windows VM to use the AT&T DSL installer these days, but
> after that you don't need Windows again. Seems they want to make the DSL
> router setup, email setup, etc .... "easy" for their customers. You can
> fight with support, but you will probably just get told they only
> support Windows and not get anywhere. It is unlikely that any support
> people will be allowed to help you with Linux even if they could. The
> support folks must stay on-script. OTOH, if you know what you are
> doing, I've heard that manually configuring the router and email setup
> can be accomplished if you can get the necessary information without the
> Windows installer. I haven't heard whether the installer works under
> WINE or not.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> On 01/04/2011 08:14 PM, Cornelis van Dijk wrote:
>> Hello alers,
>> I recently realized that I am stuck in the Dark Ages with my dial up
>> at Earthlink. Sometimes it takes five minutes to just get access to my
>> email, sometimes it does not work at all. Is this a common problem
>> nowadays? (I was busy for a few years with an autobiography "Panta
>> Rei", <A HREF="http://www.virtualbookworm.com">www.virtualbookworm.com</A>; watch out, this book slows down your
>> watch if you get too close to it.)
>>
>> Apart from upgrading my PC's I would like to get a better, at least
>> faster connection. Do I need something like DSL? I have no idea what
>> else is out there. I pay about $22.- for the dial up (about a year's
>> worth of royalties!). I have experimented with other ISP's before but
>> they have a tendency to go broke in a hurry. Is the "speedfactory"
>> still around? If so, are they any good? Every now and then AT&T sends
>> me some salesmen, but when I ask them whether AT&T supports Linux, I
>> get this stare. (Is it actually necessary for an ISP to support Linux
>> in order to use them?) Some pointers will be appreciated.
>>
>> I apologize to the high flyers and system administrators for my
>> trivial questions. I also apologize for the sneak commercial above, a
>> justification being that the book was assembled with Linux and Latex,
>> another one that I have seen worse OT's before. Cor
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