Re: [COMP] PCI Modem on Linux

> I have RedHat Linux 6.0 and am very limited in my use of it because my
> hardware is not working - most importantly my modem isn't working (not to
> mention my printer). I thought it was a lost cause until I can spare enough
> money for a new serial modem because I have an Acer PCI modem that came with
> my computer and thought that PCI devices cannot work with Linux. I believe
> that Bruno's questions are dealing with installing a NIC card with a PCI
> connection if Linux can recognize this then I'd assume a modem couldn't be
> too hard. If this is something I need to download please recognize that I
> can only access the net through Windows with my current knowledge.

Nope, PCI stuff works great under Linux.  The problem with your modem
is probably that it's a Winmodem.  Those aren't, and probably never will
be supported by Linux, since most developers are disgusted by the concept
of a software-driven piece of hardware.  Anyway, I use a PCI SMC nic at
home, and a PCI 3Com nic in my machine at work, so there's definitely
nothing wrong with Linux and PCI. :)

> I also am wondering if I am too reliant on the GUI to help me in Linux. Do
> you seasoned users mainly use the terminal view? What are the benefits to
> using one approach vs. the other?

I mainly use xterms (similar to a DOS box in windows) to do stuff from the
console, but it's nice sometimes to have a GUI, and for certain tasks,
it's even easier.  I think though that the command line is a lot more
powerful, easier, faster, and more efficient, once you're familiar with
it.  There are many GUI's out there for Linux that'll allow you to avoid
the command line for 90% of your work, but sometimes it just can't be
gotten around.  My suggestion is to do things the hard way at first, and
fall back on the GUI when you're already used to the command line, but
that isn't practical for all users.  

If you want the true Linux experience, you gotta learn how to load those
drivers on the fly, fdisk, format, install, uninstall, over and over, and
never have to reboot, and some of those things just can't be done from the
GUI.

John


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