[ale] Better ISP?

[Richard Faulkner]

Just trying to help!  : )

My first encounter with AT&T tech support went kinda this way...

Tech:  "What version of Windows are you using sir?"
Me:  "Fedora 12"
Tech:  ....long silence...
Tech:  "Errr...12?"
Me:  "I use Fedora 12"
Tech:  ...more confused silence...
Me:  "That's Linux"
Tech:  ...stammers for words...
Me:  "I don't do windows...I take it you don't know what Linux is?"
Tech:  "No sir, you have to have Windows.  I recommend you install
Windows."

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.  

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.

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.

RinL


-----Original Message-----
From: John <jdp at algoloma.com>
Reply-to: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
To: ale at ale.org
Subject: Re: [ale] Better ISP?
Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:28:56 -0500


Thanks for the correction.

Here's a link that may be helpful.

http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=7305

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<jdp at algoloma.com>
> Reply-to: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts<ale at ale.org>
> To: ale at ale.org
> 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", www.virtualbookworm.com;  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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