[Gllug] Modems again

[Norman Duncan]

Dear GLLUG members,

¡Hello!


I have been a member of GLLUG since 5 September and have received some 300 GLLUG emails in these 11 daze. I have been following all the recent discusions with interest.

I am a total Linuxnewbie ... meaning that I have understood some 5% of the LINUX content of these mails.... And that not being unintelligent (I was a computer engineer in the early daze ... '70's). For instance:....  

> > > On Thu, 2002-09-05 at 00:07, Norman Duncan wrote:
> > > > I have just got a new "generic2 built laptop with internal modem:
> > > > All the information I have is ...
> > > >     Billionton MDC (V2.92.06) Smartlink USB 56
> > > >
> > > > Can anyone help me to get it running ... please.

Magnus kindly pointed me in the direction of Smartlink website ... and I downloaded drivers with instructions. But .....
> On Fri, 2002-09-06 at 10:11, Norman Duncan wrote:
> > Thanks for help at stage 1.
> >  I now havedownloaded and unpacked a bunch of files from Smartlink into a tmp directory in my SUSE 7.3
> > I am now trying to go through the steps in their instructions (below) but I  don't understand ... though I learn fast, I am a complete rookie at this sort of stuff ! I am stuck at steps 3, 4 & 5
        Smartlink Instructions:
> > 1. Unpack tar.gz package file:
> >      $ gzip -dc slmdm-2.6.X.tar.gz | tar xf -
> > 
> > 2. 'cd' to package directory:
> >      $ cd slmdm-2.6.X
> > 
> > 3. Review and edit (if need) 'Makefile'.
> > 
> >    Note: Probably you will want to correct in Makefile path to your local linux kernel header files:
> > 
> >           KERNEL_INCLUDES=/path/to/linux/include
> > 
> >          Another way is to pass command line the parameter while running 'make':
> > 
> >           $ make KERNEL_INCLUDES=/path/to/linux/include ...
> > 
> > 4. Run 'make' command to compile package:
> >          $ make
> > 
> > 5. Install.
> >         # make install-usb
> >               if you are going to use USB modem.
> > 
> >    It will install:
> >    - modem kernel modules slmdm.o (modem core), slfax.o (fax)  into '/lib/modules/<kernel-version>/misc' directory  (standard linux modules' directory).
> >    - hardware specific kernel module slamrmo.o (for AMR/CNR/PCI) or slusb.o (for USB) into '/lib/modules/<kernel-version>/misc'  directory (standard linux modules' directory).
> >    - country settings data file 'country.dat' into directory '/etc'.
> > 
> >    Also it will:
> >    - create character tty device entry '/dev/ttySL0' with major  number 212 and symbolic link 'dev/modem'.
> >    - config you '/etc/modules.conf' file in order to provide possibility for loading the modem modules into kernel on demand automatically by kmod, when you are going to use them.
> > 
> >    Note: currently you cannot use both AMR/CNR/PCI and USB Modems.
> > 
> > 6. Config modem country.
> > 
> >    You can configure you current country by using module parameters 'country' or 'country_code'. ((SPAIN))
> >    Add 'options' directive line to file '/etc/modules.conf':   options slmdm country=<MyCountry>
> >    , for example options slmdm country=USA
> >    , or use module parameter while module loading:      # modprobe slmdm country=<MyCountry>
> > 
> >    Use 'slver -c' to see list of all supported countries and their codes (utility 'slver' may be found in package directory).
> > 
> >    Note: Command ATI7 shows installed country setting.
> > 

Magnus further replied to my distress 

> You will need to have the kernel headers for your running kernel. If you type 'uname -r', you will get your kernel version. After that you'll need to download an RPM for SuSE 7.3, containing the kernel headers (also called includes). It's either that or download the whole kernel-source RPM. As I don't have a clue about SuSE and where you can find its RPM's I would recommend you to go to ftp.suse.com and go from there. After you've done that (and installed the downloaded RPM, of course), you should have a dir /usr/src/linux/include. You should not need to specify where it is, since that is the standard location.
> -- 
At this point I don't understand anything. I consider: leaving the group, forgetting about LINUX, suicide (nobody understands me ...), and other options.


On the other hand - as a Linuxnewbie, having been a beginner in other groups, having been a "guru" (in other contexts), and having had the (great) benefit of having taught beginners in some of my "guru" subjects (Psychotherapy, mediation, AIKIDO), ...  - I feel that I can add something to these discussions (Saturdays meeting and approach of GLLUG).
  1. Beginners are of great value to groups (and their supposed gurus), they add new thoughts, new ways of looking at things, new energy for projects, and new people to take over as the older ones get tired, ....

  2. Beginners need special treatment. If I don't understand anything then I will quickly go elsewhere .. is one of the lessons being learned accross the board by web sites and groups.

  3. Helping beginners is of huge value to the helper "guru" in consolidating their personal knowledge

I propose some methods that I have found useful in other groups: 
  1.     That specific (recently qualified or just retired) gurus volunteer, to be "beginner host" over a period. 
          So when someone first logs in they receive a message from the "beginner host" with details of 
          monthly meetings, websites and other beginners help info, and a couple of boxes to check: 
          level of knowledge and help needed, other knowledge and expertise offered, ...
          ie. ¿What is a Kernel? ¿What do I do when I first open a shell? ¿If I type  'uname -r', (Magnus)   ... 
          where and when might I do this...? and such questions (Do you like the Spanish upsidedown 
          question and exclamation marks ¿¿¿¡¡¡

  2.    "Beginner host gurus" benefit from this by developing their contacts and knowledge in helping out 
          all kinds of problems and building their relationships within the group. They need clear support from 
          other gurus and from the LINUX companies ... in everyones'  interest

  3.    This approach both helps newbies and develops gurus .... "win - win"
As a supernewbie, and living at the present in Barcelona, I cannot be this person (beginner host). But I am willing to stick it out (as a "personal and group development guru") and help GLLUG to implement such a process, helping (as a user) to put together a state of the art "beginners welcome package".
I am also willing to host GLLUG meetings in Barcelona (say February when it is drizzling in London and it is perfect on the beach here).

Very best wishes to all

Norman Duncan

P.S. I am still trying to get my laptop going, and meanwhile all this is done from my win 98 PC, getting viruses and the rest. ¡Get me out of here! N.

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