ISPs do not care. In most cases they don't even know what is connected to the access channels they provide. On the other hand an ISP can say whatever it wants. So if it says they only support Windows then do not bother calling them up with questions about Linux or Macs or Amigas or DOS, because in all probability, all their service desk people know is the Windows configurations. The cable and DSL providers want their modems to be connected to a Windows PC because they get to charge $49 for each such connection. But nothing prevents you from hooking up a D-link router to that cable or dsl modem and then connecting two or three Linux machines to the router. But don't expect the ISP to be able or willing to help you do it. If you plan to hook anything other than a Windows PC to your internet channel you will need to either learn the basics on your own or get third party technical help. Perhaps this may change someday, but for now it is the reality. Rudy On Sat, May 25, 2002 at 05:48:37AM -0500, charles bowman wrote: > hi listers, ok I have a question here. I don't understand why isps wouldn't > alow linux use. after regardless of what os we use arn't they just a > passthrew to the net. I don't understand? > thanks alot > charlesAt 03:07 PM 5/23/02 +0200, you wrote: > > >Hi! > > > >On Thu, 23 May 2002 08:22:15 -0400, Weber wrote: > > > Hi All, > > > > > > I'm new to the list and while I'm a professional programmer working on a > > > mainframe, I am ignorant of Lynux and so forth (by the way, first, what is > > > the correct pronunciation of lynux, please?). > > > >Well... > > > >First of all, it's "Linux" and not "Lynux". To pronounce > >"Linux" correctly... This has been the subject of a huge > >number of internet debates and religious wars. <grin> > > > >There used to be a small sound clip with Linus Torvalds, > >the creator of Linux, saying the "Linux" word, but I > >can't find it right now unfortunately... > > > > > Next, I hope to purchase a personal-use PC next year, installing lynx on > > > it. I know my first decision will be to select which brand(?) of lynx to > > > use; > > > >I suppose you mean which brand of "Linux". > > > >Most users on this list use either Red Hat or Debian, > >or Slackware. These are fairly well-know Linux "brands" > >(we prefer the name "distribution") and they can be > >found at: > > > >http://www.redhat.com > >http://www.debian.org > >http://www.slackware.com > > > >One very, very helpful site you may want to access is > >the Linux Documentation Project, which has hundreds of > >manuals covering all aspects of Linux. It can be found > >on the Internet at the following address: > > > >http://www.linuxdoc.org > > > >If you are just talking about the program "lynx", which is > >a web browser, you can have more information about it on > >its web site, which is: > > > >http://lynx.browser.org > > > > > but, looking ahead beyond that point, I'm wondering how > > > would I connect to the internet. > > > >Fairly simple. Please read on. > > > > > Would it be a matter of finding an ISP which accepts lynx > > > users and simply using its browser? > > > >Yes. Now, finding an ISP that accept Linux users may be > >difficult in your area, but nothing is impossible. > > > > > And, also, I know web sites are accessed by domain names but how would a > > > lynux user access the same site? or can you? would I use an IP address > > > instead? > > > >No: any "correct" web browser will accept both a domain > >name and an IP address. For instance, if you want to > >access the web site for ACME Corporation, you can enter: > > > >http://www.acme.com > > > >or (IP equivalent): > > > >http://205.158.174.203 > > > >This will work under lynx, if this was the meaning of > >your question. > > > >Linux is an advanced operating system, and most of the > >software you use under Linux is able to DNS/rDNS both > >a domain name and a TCP/IP address in a transparent > >manner. So, you don't have to use IP addresses unless > >you really want to! > > > >Hope this helps! > > > >Best Regards, > > > >-- > > > >Gil Andre gandre@arkeia.com > > Technical Writer > >Arkeia Corp. http://www.arkeia.com > > > > > > > >_______________________________________________ > > > >Blinux-list@redhat.com > >https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Blinux-list@redhat.com > https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list