[NTLUG:Discuss] Newbie Questions

[Steve Baker]

cam at metronet.com wrote:

> Is the CMI8338 integrated "soundcard" supported? Just wondering... I got
> just about everything working but that.

Dunno - but one good way to find stuff like that is to use Google's Linux-specific
search engine.

  http://www.google.com/linux

...it's *much* better than a general purpose search engine because it excludes
stuff that's nothing to do with Linux.

I typed in just 'CMI8338' and got 1,450 links - the very first of which
looks hopeful - so you are probably in luck.

   http://www.linuxhq.com/kernel/v2.2/doc/sound/CMI8338.html

> Is there a way to copy a boot floppy onto a r/w cd? (P Writer 9100 HDD)
> Linux is on the upper part of my third HD and I don't have any space on the
> first two to do it otherwise.

Yes, there are instructions on how to make bootable CD's (which turn out to
be just a regular CD with a floppy image stuck on the front end). Look in the
Linux CD-writer HOWTO.  Search for 'El Torito' format.  (Google-Linux Can
Be Your Friend!)

The CD-Writer HOWTO is here:

     http://www.guug.de/~winni/linux

> Is the Hauppauge Win/TV 878 audio/video card supported?

I doubt it - TV cards are only just beginning to get support - but check
it out with Google-Linux (again) and you'll know the answer in 5 minutes.

> Just wondering...
> the name kind of has me frowning because I just found out I have one of
> those horrid little WinModems.

WinModems are *gradually* becoming supported - but they truly are horrid
devices and your best bet is to toss it and buy a "real" modem - they don't
cost much and they are pretty much all well supported.

> Last, any thoughts on the best DSL/(other fast/cheap) hookups for Linux?
> AT&T is making a big deal here but I want to ask.

There has been a lot of discussion of this on this mailing list - check out
the archives.  IMHO, DSL is *the* way to go - and at least one of the local
ISP's is "Linux friendly" (Try Internet America for example).  The only
reason I know to choose cable/satellite is if you live outside the DSL
service area.

I live outside the DSL service area (Doh!) and my home is too far from
the street to get cable (Doh!) - and I live on a steep hillside and
aparrently have several of the Cedar Hill hills between me and the
Satellite (DOH!) - so I'm in deep trouble.  I have to look into ISDN?

         :-(

> I missed your last meeting but hope to be at the next one. Are there any
> other good local groups to check out?

Well, there is a thriving Unix Users Group in the metroplex somewhere - I'm
told it's pretty good - mostly people talk about the free Pizza they hand
out after meetings!  I've never been - but lots of people on this list attend
it - so I'm sure you'll get good info from someone else.  Of course "Linux
Isn't UNIX" - but that's less relevent with each passing day!

-- 
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