This has actually been remedied by the LinuxPPC group for some time. They have a small linux partition that will mount on the MacOS's HFS or HFS+ filesystems then quit the MacOS and provide a good little demo of the power of linux. All without even reformatting. Yes, it is a very limited version of LinuxPPC, but it allows those that are not yet ready to repartition their drive for LinuxPPC/MacOS (or have a spare drive) to try out Linux. I think that some of the large x86 Linux Distros should take notice of the elegance that LinuxPPC took with their "live," version.
You evidently read only that particular e-mail of his saga. If you had read all of the introductory e-mails that he gave for the past few months (since christmas, I believe) then you would have seen this part, which is actually an excerpt from BellAtlantics web page.
Quote-- SYSTEM CONFIGURATION: Personal Computers
To ensure Infospeed DSL can (a) work efficiently on your system and (b) be installed on your computer, we require the following system specifications to complete your order.
To expedite the process, please complete this document prior to placing your order. You may return the information via email or a fax to your sales representative or you may provide the information when you call to place your order. If we determine that your system does not meet the required minimum specifications, we will notify you of which item(s) or threshold(s) was found to be insufficient.
Minimum system requirements include that you have an IBM compatible PC with an Intel Pentium or an AMD K5 or K6, and Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 or NT4.0 (NT service pack 3 or above). Additionally, we require 32MB RAM; 25 MB hard disk space; an original Operating System CD or OS source files on Hard Disk and operational CD ROM drive to insert your Operating System software.
Bell Atlantic also supports the Apple Macintosh iMAC machine.
If you already have an Ethernet card in your machine, please note that Bell Atlantic only supports 3Com-branded Ethernet cards. Other brands may be used; however your card may need to be replaced if DSL service problems occur. If you do not currently have an Ethernet card, Bell Atlantic sells them, starting at $49.95.
IF ANY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS INCORRECT AND RESULTS IN BELL ATLANTIC'S INABILITY TO COMPLETE HOME INSTALLATION, THE TECHNICIAN WILL ADVISE YOU OF THE REASON FOR THE NON-COMPLETION AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE TECHNICIAN'S VISIT.
End Quote--
The simple fact is that Joe average cannot sign up for BA's ADSL if they have a Mac and do not know how to configure their boxes and _do_ need support or at least someone to help them out. Judging from your qualifications (gleaned ever so gracefully from your boxen used as rank and identifcation), I can see that ease of use, support, and the consumer mean nothing to you. Please feel free to respond, but try a little thinking before you post next time.
If you read the prior reports to this final one, you will notice that BellAtlantic explicitly stated that they currently only support the iMac because the MAC address is written on a sticker on the side of the ethernet port. Despite it being two clicks away for a Macuser to gain the MAC address of their builtin ethernet, BellAtlantic also said that they would charge you the fee to send out someone to install the ADSL, only to turn you down if you don't have an iMac. So while it is technically feasible to connect ADSL to the Mac, and any computer that can use ethernet, BellAtlantic will not let you go out on your own in this case. I am sure that Godun would have jumped at the oppurtunity to configure the ADSL with an "unsupported config," knowing that it would work. The problem remains that he was not given the oppurtunity. It is a sad state of affairs, and some are correct when they say that Macusers have received this kind of repsonse every once in a while, but never to the extent and hostility that BellAtlantic used in this case.
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the author of this article or the fact that Micropuff's *resources* should be helping fund Linux Developer's efforts?
This has actually been remedied by the LinuxPPC group for some time. They have a small linux partition that will mount on the MacOS's HFS or HFS+ filesystems then quit the MacOS and provide a good little demo of the power of linux. All without even reformatting. Yes, it is a very limited version of LinuxPPC, but it allows those that are not yet ready to repartition their drive for LinuxPPC/MacOS (or have a spare drive) to try out Linux. I think that some of the large x86 Linux Distros should take notice of the elegance that LinuxPPC took with their "live," version.
You evidently read only that particular e-mail of his saga. If you had read all of the introductory e-mails that he gave for the past few months (since christmas, I believe) then you would have seen this part, which is actually an excerpt from BellAtlantics web page.
Quote--
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION: Personal Computers
To ensure Infospeed DSL can (a) work efficiently on your system and (b) be installed on your computer, we require the following system
specifications to complete your order.
To expedite the process, please complete this document prior to placing your order. You may return the information via email or a fax to your sales
representative or you may provide the information when you call to place your order. If we determine that your system does not meet the required
minimum specifications, we will notify you of which item(s) or threshold(s) was found to be insufficient.
Minimum system requirements include that you have an IBM compatible PC with an Intel Pentium or an AMD K5 or K6, and Microsoft Windows 95,
Windows 98 or NT4.0 (NT service pack 3 or above). Additionally, we require 32MB RAM; 25 MB hard disk space; an original Operating System CD or
OS source files on Hard Disk and operational CD ROM drive to insert your Operating System software.
Bell Atlantic also supports the Apple Macintosh iMAC machine.
If you already have an Ethernet card in your machine, please note that Bell Atlantic only supports 3Com-branded Ethernet cards. Other brands may
be used; however your card may need to be replaced if DSL service problems occur. If you do not currently have an Ethernet card, Bell Atlantic sells
them, starting at $49.95.
IF ANY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS INCORRECT AND RESULTS IN BELL ATLANTIC'S INABILITY TO COMPLETE HOME INSTALLATION,
THE TECHNICIAN WILL ADVISE YOU OF THE REASON FOR THE NON-COMPLETION AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE TECHNICIAN'S VISIT.
End Quote--
The simple fact is that Joe average cannot sign up for BA's ADSL if they have a Mac and do not know how to configure their boxes and _do_ need support or at least someone to help them out. Judging from your qualifications (gleaned ever so gracefully from your boxen used as rank and identifcation), I can see that ease of use, support, and the consumer mean nothing to you. Please feel free to respond, but try a little thinking before you post next time.
If you read the prior reports to this final one, you will notice that BellAtlantic explicitly stated that they currently only support the iMac because the MAC address is written on a sticker on the side of the ethernet port. Despite it being two clicks away for a Macuser to gain the MAC address of their builtin ethernet, BellAtlantic also said that they would charge you the fee to send out someone to install the ADSL, only to turn you down if you don't have an iMac. So while it is technically feasible to connect ADSL to the Mac, and any computer that can use ethernet, BellAtlantic will not let you go out on your own in this case. I am sure that Godun would have jumped at the oppurtunity to configure the ADSL with an "unsupported config," knowing that it would work. The problem remains that he was not given the oppurtunity. It is a sad state of affairs, and some are correct when they say that Macusers have received this kind of repsonse every once in a while, but never to the extent and hostility that BellAtlantic used in this case.