On Thu, 09 Nov 2006, in the Usenet newsgroup comp.os.linux.setup, in article
<aqJ4h.37255$Fi1.12637@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, chris goback wrote:

>Hi I have been trying several Linux programs to find one that will let
>me gain internet access, no luck so far. Granted, I might need a
>different modem and am open to suggestions on this score.

See the response to your posting "Re: winmodem on ubuntu, nearly done"
in the Usenet newsgroup "alt.os.linux" on Wednesday. If you haven't
found a working driver for the "SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with Smart PC"
(what-ever that is), you really do need to get a hardware modem. They
do exist.

>However, I am wondering why the Kppp wizard doesn't list USA as an
>option? Terrorist, again? It seems a bit odd to me.

Dialin in the US is getting less common than cable/DSL/wireless.

>I don't think I have access to all the info that my ATT connection
>software supplies automatically. For example I don't the sequence of
>events that occur when my software logs in.

Several years ago, AT&T had a web page that detailed how to set up
a Linux box to connect. They had only two unusual quirks. First, they
were using CHAP-MD5 (RFC1994) rather than the _much_ more common PAP
(RFC1334). To handle this change, you need only change the name of the
authorization file from "/etc/ppp/pap-secrets" to "/etc/ppp/chap-secrets".
The file format (username * password) is exactly the same, so if all else
fails, you could _duplicate_ the files. I think you were advised to use
one of the GUI so-called "helper" programs like KPPP or WvDial, both of
which can be kicked between the eyes into using CHAP.

The second difference was the username used. While most ISPs in the world
use just the username (your "From:" says "back@jack.com", so the username
would be "back"), AT&T used some wonky userid, ('999999@worldnet.att.net'
as best as I recall) - but you already have that information in your
windoze setup.

My notes say:

http://www.wurd.com/wurd/index.htm has a lot of info on dialers & stuff
for linux including a step-by-step with screenshots for configuring kppp
to work with AT&T. http://www.wurd.com/wurd/software/di...linux_kppp.htm
another reported at http://www.wurd.com/eng/setup/dialers/linux_kppp.htm

Those may or may not still be reachable.

>There is more. Probably need a new modem too. Any cheap options
>on a hardware modem or such that you have had good luck with.

I can't suggest much, as I no longer see that many advertisements for
modems. Your best bet is to see what is in the shops, then hit google
and look up the EXACT make/model along with the word "Linux".

>I am currently running Xubuntu but I have collected a variety of discs,
>Kubuntu,Fedora Core5, Knoppix. And I run into the same thing.

If you don't have the required driver for your software based modem (and
that driver depends on your distribution and kernel), you simply aren't
going to connect no matter which distribution you try. Once you have a
modem that will dial and connect, then any of the distributions should
work. Just remember that you may need to use CHAP instead of PAP, and to
use the same "userid" (or whatever it's called) and password as you are
using in windoze. ppp is an O/S neutral protocol, and it (as well as
your ISP) doesn't _care_ what O/S you may be trying to use as long as
it has ppp. Linux does have it.

Old guy.