Re: [SLUG] Optus@home: USB->USB vs PCI Ethernet->USB cable modem installs

[Matthew Hannigan <mlh@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I got cable before optus offered USB, so it
wasn't an issue for me.   But when the tech
came I just looked at the required settings
and waved my arms at him and said my windows
pc will just work (which it did, as I already
had dhcp set up).  I then set up my Linux pc
the next day, and then switched back and forth
as necessary until I installed my little cable/dsl
router thingy, which serves both and more besides.

On my insistence, he didn't even install the
optus software.  He was happy to leave when
he saw me successfully surf the net.  

I don't see how it could be anyway else.
It's your modem, (yes yours), your computer,
your house.  You can do what you like with it,
modulo the Optus AUP.

Finally, I'd ask for the non-USB version.

It's less hassle for you and allows you to
buy one of them abovementioned cable-router-switch
things.  Or install e-smith, or coyote, or freesco
linuxes or DIY on a normal distribution without
doing the hunt-the-driver and kernel reconfig thing.


Regards,
Matt

PS Don't put a windows machine on cable or dsl
without installing either kerio personal firewall
or zonealarm.