ISP for Linux 3

[kumarn]

I am new to Linux. The dialup ISP I am using for Windows - Compuserve - indicate that they don't have any software interface for Linux (email, web browsing etc). I just want to try this out and was wondering if one of the free dialup ISPs (preferably with nationwide service) would be suitable for Linux (RH v. 7).

Thanks,

KumarN

 

[StarTAC]

Linux has got its own mail and browser utilities.. for instance, you can now get Netscape 4.7 or Konquerer on Linux... both of these are stable and fast browsers on Linux.. u can also compile Opera for Linux...

as for mail agents, you can PINE, the mail reader, or KMail, if you are running X, which u might most likely do... these utilities understand standard protocols such as POP3, SMTP and HTTP, so the ISP should not install any special software to make u conform to their norms, it's just as though u would be using a Windows machine...

personally, SuSE Linx 7.2 Professional has got a pretty neat implementation of KDE and GNOME for the X environment, and a whole lot of web browsing and mail reading/sending programs.. including Star Office, something equivalent to MS-Office 2000.... u might want to inquire abt it from your local dealer.... can't say much abt the other distros though...

good luck..

AKNIT

 

[MrTom]

kumarn, what country are you in?

 

[ifincham]

Hi,

See this for using compuserve under linux -->

http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/LinuxTutorialPPP-compuserve.html

. I think most if not all ISPs can be used under linux - its just a matter of getting the config right. Have a look at -->

http://www.sweeney.demon.co.uk/ISP_FAQ.htm#isp_data

.

Regards

 

[kumarn]

I would like to thank ifincham for the reference to the 2 web sites in response to my earlier query. My current setup (Compuserve classic, Red Hat 7.1) matches the configuration described in the YoLinux tutorial. I will be trying this out. If the modem being used is slower than the tutorial description, I guess that only references to the baud rate and bps in the YoLinux configuration will have to be reduced (?). The other web site has helpful comments as well.

Thanks to AKNIT/StarTac(ISP)for the comments about the mail agents in Linux, Suse Linux 7.2 etc. Being new to Linux, I will be doing some reading on this and would appreciate any suggestions for any additional web sites and references that may be appropriate and concise for new users of Linux with regard to general configuration etc. It is noted that this web site (Tek-Tips) has links to several Linux sites and I have started to browse through some of them. Might anyone have any comments about the book "Red Hat Linux 7 Unleashed" by Bill Ball?

In response to MrTom, I am located in the Atlanta, GA metro area. Many ISPs are regionally based, however, Compuserve apparently has access numbers in many other countries as well. Later, I was thinking of trying to configure Red Hat 7.1 for the Netzero dialup ISP.


Thanks,

KumarN

 

[marsd]

I have Bill's book on SuSE and it is just decent.
you could read the man pages and save yourself a few bucks.
There are some good "general" topics discussions and a some
helpful howtos for name service and mail, but in my opinion
reading the man pages and subscribing to a decent user list
is just as helpful, and cheaper.

 

[kumarn]

Thanks to marsd for the comments relating to Linux references.

I had a few queries relating to the article
(

http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/LinuxTutorialPPP-compuserve.html

) that ifincham had kindly referred me to concerning connecting to the Compuserve Classic ISP using Red Hat 7.1. Any comments are much appreciated (incidentally, I am new to Linux).

1) I modified or created the files per the article (i.e.
/etc/resolv.conf
/etc/nsswitch.conf
/etc/ppp/options
/etc/ppp/chat-compuserve).

Note that:
a) /dev/ttys1 (per article) and /dev/ttys0 were tried separately in /etc/ppp/options (S1=COM2 and presumably S0=COM1)

b) The /etc/nsswitch.conf file has many lines. Only the:
hosts: files nisplus dns
line was changed to
hosts: dns files nisplus nis
per the article.

2) The Dialup Configuration icon was clicked to Add a New Internet Connection. The wizard detected the modem ( as /dev/ttys0) and ISP dial-in number, user name and psswd were entered).

3) The PC was rebooted ( is this necessary for the configuration changes to take effect?).

4) As root, /usr/sbin/pppd was run in a terminal (as per article). I guess that this command has to be re-run if the PC is restarted?

5) The RH PPP Dialer was then run in Programs.
After selecting the interface for the ISP, a window opens up
'Waiting to Connect', the modem dials and connects for about 45 seconds then disconnects. A window opens up 'Failed to activate interface'. The modem then re-dials and connects, one sees a blank screen and the modem disconnects.

6) Per the article, the
killall -HUP pppd
command was run from a terminal and the message "No process
killed" appeared.

There is some problem in connecting to the Compuserve Classic ISP. Any comments are appreciated.

Thank you,

KumarN