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Free ISPs for Linux?
Rob Gibson asks: "I have heard stories of people using free ISPs under Linux to connect to the internet, and was hoping to do so myself. Many of them have slow connection speeds or bad support. Almost all have ad banners. The one that I love under Windows is Worldspy.net, which offers fast access and good coverage with no banner ads. However, I am digressing. I called Worldspy's tech support number, and they are not giving out any information as to how I could connect in Linux. Has anyone had success using Worldspy's access? Any free ISP using the MicroPortal technology?
One thing that would be helpful in my attempts to figure this out is some software that would passively monitor the modem/COM port for incoming and outgoing data while in use with another program. Does anyone have suggestions for Linux or DOS/Win?"
I am using Worldspy right now, and it works in Linux. They won't tell you this, but I will. ;)
As long as you can connect with Windows, you're in luck. I still use WorldSpy 1.0 and I won't upgrade as it's perfect the way it is now. Connect to the internet with it, then disconnect, then open up your Dial-Up Networking properties. Somewhere in the mangled world of Windows menus is an option to prompt you for information before dialing out. Find it and make sure it's checked. Next, start up the Worldspy software and when it loads, it should list your encrypted username. Oddly enough, your password isn't encrypted. Write down that username and you've got a fully functional PPP internet account which works with Windows and Linux! It may not be fast (I get connected around 31.2kbps), but heck, it's free! Hope this helps.