Telkom banning Linux???

[kaspaas]

Hi,

at

http://www.telkomsa.net/products/adsl_telkom_internet.jsp

Telkom states the "minimum requirements" for a PC to connect to ADSL.

They require that one uses a Microsoft product.

So, according to Telkom's rules, Linux may not be used.

Pity... I'm waiting for them to pull the pug on me




South Africa needs World Class Broadband at World Competitive Prices.

 

[podo]

kaspaas,

They aren't really banning it. They are however, stating that they will not support it.

That is reasonable, since their technicians are mostly experts at electronics and wiring, not computers. Even the best cable gurus they do sometimes manage to send out will stare blankly at a computer screen, even if it is Windows.

Telkom would have to train a special corpse of staff just to handle Linux or UNIX, even worse, they would probably have to have people to handle separate Linux distributions, since nobody in the Linux world seems to be able to agree on anything.

I've been using ADSL for months with my FreeBSD machine acting as the router and handling the PPPoE link. The actual ADSL ethernet over ATM connection is provided by a D-Link DSL300G bridge I picked up for next to nothing.

I've never had any problems with this set-up and doubt I ever will. The Telkom techie that installed the line was a bit taken aback by it, but believe me once he saw it working.

The reason they say it must be a Microsoft product is that, with M$ operating systems, they can offer some, basic, support to end users. Also, their hellishly expensive USB modem will not work with anything but Windows.

Telkom do not want you to buy an ethernet bridge at half the price, instead, they will accuse you of not having a supported system since their USB modem won't work with it and they have no idea how to install and configure their own ethernet modem.

Willie Viljoen
Web Developer

Adaptive Web Development

 

[mbs]

ROFL [][] - just goes to show their moronic nature, in my opinion - on the other hand, maybe their advertorial was paid for by Microsoft...

 

[podo]

mbs,

Doubt it, if it were payed for by Microsoft, it would read:

To use ADSL, you will need a system with a 3.2GHz processor and 1GB of RAM.

You will also need to be running Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP(TM) Professional(TM), with the latest Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP(TM) Service Pack(TM), or Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP(TM) Reloaded(TM), or Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2003(TM) Server(TM). Previous versions of Microsoft(R) Windows(R) are not supported for ADSL.

Microsoft(R) and Windows(R) are registered trademarks of the Microsoft(R) Corporation.

Windows XP(TM), Windows XP Reloaded(TM), Windows 2003(TM) and Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Service Pack(TM) are trademarks of the Microsoft(R) Corporation.

Microsoft(R) will accept no liability for any damages incurred by the user resulting from the use, misuse or inability to use the information contained on this page.

The information is provided "AS IS" without any warranty, including the implied warrantees of merchentability or fitness for any particular perpose. Microsoft(R) provides no guarantee as to the acuracy of the information and reserves the right to change the information at any time without notice or justification to any parties.

This information may not be reproduced in any form, print, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior express written permission from Microsoft(R) Corporation.

Copyright (C) 2004. Microsoft(R) Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.

--
Copyright (C) 2004. Willie Viljoen. []

Willie Viljoen
Web Developer

Adaptive Web Development

 

[antowan]

ROFL []

He who does not understand the value of war at the right time, cannot comprehend the value of life at any time - Anonymous

 

[caroper]

Or my all time favorite:

This product is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. List each check separately by bank number. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid by addressee. Subject to CAB approval. This is not an offer to sell securities. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. Do not stamp. Use other side for additional listings. For recreational use only. Do not disturb. All models over 18 years of age. If condition persists, consult your physician. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Many suitcases look alike. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Colors may, in time, fade. We have sent the forms which seem to be right for you. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Not affiliated with the American Red Cross. Drop in any mailbox. Edited for television. Keep cool; process promptly. Post office will not deliver without postage. List was current at time of printing. Return to sender, no forwarding order on file, unable to forward. Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform. At participating locations only. Not the Beatles.

Cheers
Chris

 

[mbs]

ROFL [][][] - thanx guys: I've had a lousy day, this'll give me some gumption to face the night...

 

[antowan]

On a serious note though, I'd bet that Telkom are using quite a lot of Linux desktops and servers in the technical department. Some things just work better when you have one of those. [8D]

He who does not understand the value of war at the right time, cannot comprehend the value of life at any time - Anonymous

 

[mbs]

Too true - I know for a fact that there are supportive services boxes in Telkom with Linux. I doubt very much if their presence has the endorsement of Telkrap management, though - but as with most things IT, the techies are the ones with the common sense, with management having no sense or merely spouting non-sense, with the exception of those who've come thru the techie ranks and have 'kept an oar in', as it were... *sigh*

 

[regardtv]

From the last Tender we submitted UNIX/Linux on the "critical infrastructure" side is most assuredly used and promoted by all levels @ telskom.

Desktop infrastructure is however one of the biggest Microsoft Active Directory roll-outs around.

R

************************************************************
The views expressed on this site are my own and NOT those of my employer.

 

[mbs]

Ja well - wouldn't be one bit surprised if authentication is actually being done via OpenLDAP on a Linux box somewhere, though... (mere speculation on my part - heehee)...