I work for a amall, local ISP. I am confused as to why we need to distribute software. If you are running beos, bsd, linux, any semi-recent macos, os/2, any commercial unix, or any windows version 95 and up, you already have internet software and you can download updated versions of what you have or new programs to replace them for free. If you want to use commercial software, feel free to buy a copy.
To the best of my ability I will support them all. Obviously, I am more knowledgable on certain os's and apps than others. Our servers run freebsd and I am much more familiar with that than linux. However, I try not to be an idiot, and have yet to have a linux user call me and tell me he is an idiot. At least once a month a windows user calls me and informs me that he is an idiot. Actually these people are much brighter than the ones who ask me what the problem is and tell me I am wrong when I tell them. Ironically enough, the only solaris user ever to call me had no clue, but he did know my number and the number of his corporate support department. I called them and between us we managed to correct his problem.
Sometimes things break and I am unable to decipher the problem over the phone. In this case my customer can bring their machine to me. If I still can't fix it, I can at least explain what the problem is and why I can't fix it.
Your small local ISP may cost a few dollars more, but the service will work, the support will be competent and they will answer the phone when you call. And like I tell my prospective customers, when you don't like what the cable company, the phone company, or the giant ISP company support rep tells you, you can write a letter. Or you stop by my office for a beer and I will tell you what they did worse to someone else.
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I work for a amall, local ISP. I am confused as to why we need to distribute software. If you are running beos, bsd, linux, any semi-recent macos, os/2, any commercial unix, or any windows version 95 and up, you already have internet software and you can download updated versions of what you have or new programs to replace them for free. If you want to use commercial software, feel free to buy a copy.
To the best of my ability I will support them all. Obviously, I am more knowledgable on certain os's and apps than others. Our servers run freebsd and I am much more familiar with that than linux. However, I try not to be an idiot, and have yet to have a linux user call me and tell me he is an idiot. At least once a month a windows user calls me and informs me that he is an idiot. Actually these people are much brighter than the ones who ask me what the problem is and tell me I am wrong when I tell them. Ironically enough, the only solaris user ever to call me had no clue, but he did know my number and the number of his corporate support department. I called them and between us we managed to correct his problem.
Sometimes things break and I am unable to decipher the problem over the phone. In this case my customer can bring their machine to me. If I still can't fix it, I can at least explain what the problem is and why I can't fix it.
Your small local ISP may cost a few dollars more, but the service will work, the support will be competent and they will answer the phone when you call. And like I tell my prospective customers, when you don't like what the cable company, the phone company, or the giant ISP company support rep tells you, you can write a letter. Or you stop by my office for a beer and I will tell you what they did worse to someone else.