[Westwales] Dialup

[Robert Savage]

Thanks Chaps,,

As is usual you have all offered valued observations.  Wvdial was included but 
it seemed a bit off not to have a desktop interface that lets me monitor what 
is going on.  I think you're right Adrian it is a stripped down version of 
FC5 so having had a bit of a play with it I decided to try a change and 
installed even more stripped down OpenSUSE Slick.  Apart from having to find 
Thunderbird on another cover disk I now have another dual boot system with 
internet connection.  This distro is not too difficult to configure but would 
be a bit of a mare for someone wanting to kick out Windows and become sane.

I am a little concerned by the way each of these Linux distributors tailor the 
system to their own liking, sort of "branding".  Doesn't this destroy the 
original concept of Linux, and create incompatibilities in the installation 
of application software ?  If the distribution requires an 'expert' to 
install and set up then Mr or Mrs Average User is not going to take to the 
idea of a simple alternative to Gates's poor offerings.

Thanks for your help Guys, watch this space for further appeals from this 
incompetent :-)

Bob