Re: [OT] Linux and GTE

[Bob Taylor <brtaylor inreach com>]

In message <LNBBJBOIEFEPFKKPEJOMMENCDBAA dtalk soltec net>, "David 
Talkington"
writes:

[snip]

> > 2.  This is an unfair business practice (clear support
> >     of a monopoly).
> 
> I respectfully disagree.  GTE is under no obligation to support an operating
> system that they don't understand.  It's got nothing to do with Microsoft;
> GTE just doesn't feel comfortable saying that Linux will work, knowing that
> they'll be responsible for tech support if it doesn't.  They have to stick
> with what they understand and know they can support.

I respectfully disagree. GTE is offering a STANDARD service. To 
discriminate
against an OS that supports that standard is unfair practice.

> > 3.  If the O/S supports DHCP per the RFC's, there
> >     should be NO ISSUE.
> 
> Agreed.  So set up a Win box and lettem do their thing.  They'll know before
> they leave that their connection works fine.  Now you replace the Win box
> with Linux power; you, the knowledgeable user, are now happy, and GTE is off
> the hook (pardon the pun) if it doesn't work.

Why should I pay Gates for software I don't want nor need? GTE should 
*know*
what operating systems support ethernet and DHCP. Do you think they 
would
attempt to install a cable modem on a 8080 running CP/M?

> The same principle is at work when you, the owner of a Toshiba Satellite Pro
> notebook, call Toshiba and complain that your Linksys PCMCIA card won't
> work.  They'll say, "Link-who?", and recommend that you get a 3Com card and
> call back if you still have problems.  (This happened.)  Fair enough; they
> can't test EVERYthing on their notebook.  Once we determine that a
> well-known card works, then we know the problem is with the Linksys card,
> and they can tell me with a clear conscience that they can't help.  (They
> were right, in this case.  The card needed an updated driver.)

Different senario.

[snip]

Bob

-- 
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| Bob Taylor             Email: brtaylor inreach com             |
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| Gnome certainly is (serious competition to the Mac or Windows) |
| ... I get a charge out of seeing the X Window System work the  |
| way we intended..." - Jim Gettys                               |
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