In article <4025860.C8vEZRI5Jt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Does Comcast hate Macs? [and Linux]
No, they don't. You tell them you aren't using Windows, and they make a
note on the installation order for the installer to bring a laptop. The
installer uses that laptop to do whatever they need to do during
install, resulting in a working internet connection on your cable jack.
He then disconnects his laptop, and you can plug your Mac or Linux box,
or router if you prefer, into the jack, and it will work, as long as
your computer or router is configured to use DHCP.
When I moved, the note on the installation order even said "customer
uses Linux".
So, if you are using Mac or Linux, you have to know enough to configure
your system to use DHCP. That's the default on Macs, so for a Mac
Comcast user, it is ridiculously simple. When the technician finishes
and unplugs his laptop, just plug the Mac into the jack, and in a few
seconds, it notices you are now plugged in, and it configures itself,
and you are good to go.
I believe most common desktop Linux distributions are similar, in that
they assume DHCP by default. They might not detect that you've plugged
the cable in, though, so you might have to know how to restart
networking, or even (*gasp*) resort to a reboot if you are one of those
people who is using Linux but doesn't know much about it (e.g., someone
else set it up for you and you just want to browse and do email).
Their website did have some trouble using account management functions,
like bill paying, from Safari on Mac for a while. It worked fine from
Firefox on Mac, though, so it wasn't hard for Mac users to use. Just a
little annoying, and they fixed that a while ago.
--
--Tim Smith
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