What modems work with Ubuntu?

[Mike Drabik]

The reality one techie has experienced 'out there' among the non-profit organizations (NGO's) with shoe-string budgets and who cannot afford a broadband connection (but needs that Net connection and uses slow dial-up instead) and depends on donated PC's

A. Somebody donates a PC bulit in 2000 - 500 MHZ, 64 MB RAM, 4 GB Harddrive, CD-RW Drive, Floppy and a Winmodem 

B. The on staff I.T. specialist (paid super cheap by the place) is asked by NGO's Director if the PC can be upgraded for use and low cost - NO MORE than $250.00.

C. After checking motherboard specs, I.T. Specialist recommends this upgrade: 60 GB Hardrive, 768 MB RAM (max MB can handle); overclock CPU to .9 GHZ and recommends Ubuntu as the O/S as Windows XP doesn't fit the budget. Total with Ubuntu (free): $210.00; with Windows XP: $330.00.

D. Director approves cost and cuts check and I.T Specialist proceeds.

E. THEN, after the upgrade is complete, I.T. Specialist finds the Winmodem won't work in Ubuntu. He works at every possible solution he can find - desperately even working at home using his broadband connection looking for a possible windmodem driver compatible with Linux. Result: nothing, absolutely nothing works.

F. Advises Director of same. Result: Director orders all parts be returned to the store; the Ubuntu CD is tossed in the trash; the PC is relegated  to the attic of the building currently occupied by the NGO AND  the I.T. specialist is now looking for a job.

I ain't got a solution to this problem, but this is the reality out there for both NGO's and ordinary computer users and many of the I.T. folks out there who support them.
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