[Klug-general] getting broadband

[Mike Evans]

james morris wrote:

> 
> Any recommendations for packages to avoid and packages to go for?
> 
James,

You will either buy or be provided with an ADSL or cable modem/router 
which will most likely provide an ethernet connection, and/or wireless 
connectivity.  With either of those options it is entirely down to the 
interface between your OS and the ethernet or wireless card in your 
computer.

Just about all ethernet cards offer the same standard interface into the 
computer and therefore it is very unlikely that you will have on that 
Linux cannot drive.  Most wireless cards do now have linux drivers, 
though it is worth checking fr one you know is will supported. 
http://linuxwireless.org/ is one place to look and do some searches 
around NIC compatibility.

Some ADSL modems also offer USB connection.  I would council against 
those as they may require specialist drivers, and may even download 
firmware to the modem via the USB cable.

So the remaining question is which ISP and package? Around that almost 
everyone will give you a different answer and it will of course depend 
on your bandwidth and other requirements.  In fact someone asked exactly 
that question on this list a few months ago.  I use force9, which is now 
part of plusnet and I find them fine.  I was impressed recently when my 
mother had some problems so I called them on her behalf and they offered 
to call her for me and talk her through what to do.

Mike