LINUX TIPS AND TRICKS --- June 16, 2000

Published by ITworld.com, the IT problem-solving network
http://www.itworld.com/newsletters

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Choosing A Modem That's Right For You
by Danny Kalev

I've received several queries from users asking how to choose a modem 
for Linux. Unfortunately, the lack of plug-and-play support and the 
proliferation of Linux distributions make this task a little bit too 
complicated for a novice. In this column, I will give a few guidelines 
that can assist the non-expert user in choosing a modem for Linux. I 
will not go through the installation process itself, as it varies among 
distributions and modems; instead, I will focus on what you should check 
before you buy.

Choosing a modem isn't only a technical decision but also a consumer's 
decision. Therefore, you should follow basic consumerism rules. First of 
all, decide which type of modem you need (e.g., v.34, v.90, a modem that 
can utilize multiple phone lines simultaneously, etc.). Next, make a 
list of candidates and compare their prices. Check the manufacturer's 
warrantee and the retailer's return policy; you may have to return the 
modem if your system refuses to accept it. My recommendation is to 
choose a modem of a high quality, even if it costs a few more bucks. 
Remember, not all modems are born equal: two v.90 modems can exhibit 
substantial performance differences that stem from different error 
correction circuits, internal buffer sizes, and compression methods. 

Many manufacturers specifically design their modems for Windows. Such 
modems sometimes refuse to operate on Linux. Therefore, it's best to 
choose an OS-neutral modem or one that specifically supports Linux. 
There are several ways to check whether a modem is supported on Linux. 
You can check the manufacturer's Web site, contact its tech support by 
email or phone, and read buyers' reviews on Amazon's electronics 
section. Amazon's electronics section is a very useful resource because 
it contains objective reviews from Linux users who have installed and 
used various types of modems and share their experience. That said, I 
still recommend buying a modem from a nearby store rather than buying it 
online for two reasons. First, although most online retailers allow you 
to return the product within a specified amount of time, you have to pay 
for shipment if you wish to return the product. Secondly, a nearby 
retailer can help you install the modem and configure the system. 
However, if you're experienced enough with hardware installation on 
Linux, you may not need that assistance, so online buying from the 
comfort of your home can still be an attractive option.


Resources

PC-TEL announces new LinModem 
The announcement of the industry's first Linux-compatible software modem
http://www.linuxworld.com/linuxworld/lw-1999-08/f_lw-08-linmodem.html

French company launches first Linux-based set-top box 
NetBox enables cable-modem access to Internet, streaming video
http://www.linuxworld.com/linuxworld/lw-1999-04/lw-04-netgem.html

WinModems and WinPrinters: A lose-lose situation for Linux  
Don't be a WinDoofus -- and don't buy one, either
http://www.linuxworld.com/linuxworld/lw-1999-05/f_lw-05-linux101.html

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About the author
----------------
Danny Kalev is a system analyst and software engineer with more
than 10 years of experience, specializing in C++ and
object-oriented analysis and design on various platforms including
VMS, DOS, Windows, Unix, and Linux. His technical interests involve
code optimization, networking, and distributed computing. He is
also a member of the ANSI C++ standardization committee and the
author of ANSI/ISO C++ Professional Programmer's Handbook (Que,
1999). Contact him at linuxnl@excite.com.
 
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