[NTLUG:Discuss] Satellite Internet for Linux?

[Leroy Tennison]

Stan Gatchel wrote:
> I am looking for a rural high speed connection that will work with 
> Linux. Looked at T-Mobile but they don't support Linux (so I was told). 
> Two way satellites may be the answer. The offerings are Wild Blue, 
> StarBand, Tachyon:
>
> http://www.tachyon.net
> http://www.starband.com
> http://www.wildblue.com
>
> It seems DirectWay shifted to HD?
>
> StarBand seems to support Linux (sort of):
>
> "The StarBand® 481 and the StarBand® 484 satellite modem is compatible 
> with operating systems supporting TCP/IP protocol such as Windows®, 
> Macintosh®, Unix® and Linux® (Call Center support limited to Windows 98, 
> 98 SE, Me, 2000 Professional, XP and Macintosh OS 9, OS X)."
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Stan
>
> P.S. I have tried to get wireless, but just out of range.
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://ntlug.pmichaud.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>
>   
A later post made a very good point about being able to use Linux even 
though the service provider "doesn't support it".  One question to ask 
is "How does the device connect to my computer?"  If it connects via a 
NIC then a lot of problems may be solved.  Ask "Is that a standard 
Ethernet connection?"  If it is then I'd say you are real close.  Next 
question for them "Can you administer the device using Firefox?"  I 
choose Firefox because it's popular and will surface any IE-specific 
features (hopefully).  If the device connects via a NIC, uses standard 
Ethernet and you can administer it with a non-M$ browser then I don't 
see anything stopping you (unless some of the others know of specific 
issues).  You will have to learn how to talk to the provider's support 
staff to get past the non-Windows paranoia.  You don't tell them it's 
Linux, you tell them you have a situation where you can't install their 
software (true if it's Windows based) but you have a browser and can 
they help you connect that way.  AFTER you get things working 
call/email/whatever the support group and ask for the email address of 
their manager.  Email the manager telling them the information you got 
from them which allowed you to successfully use their service with 
Linux.  This is what it's going to take for them to get over their "it's 
not Windows" terror.