How Critical Is It To Use an ISP Running FreeBSD or BSD/OS?

[Bob Perry]

Kent Stewart wrote:

>On Saturday 10 July 2004 04:20 pm, Bill Moran wrote:
>  
>
>>Bob Perry <rperry4 at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>I remember reading in The Complete FreeBSD, by Greg Lehey, that
>>>you'll be better off with an ISP that runs FreeBSD or BSD/OS.  Can
>>>anyone provide a scenario(s) where this would be most apparent?
>>>      
>>>
>>If you have problems and call their tech support.
>>
>>A number of ISPs in the past, when I've had problems and called, they
>>say, "do this with Windows" and when I say I'm not using Windows they
>>reply that they don't support anything but, and therefore can't help
>>me.  That's been in spite of the fact that I've done everything
>>reasonable to determine that the problem is _NOT_ on my end, they
>>simply refuse to do _any_ diagnostic work if I wasn't using Windows.
>>
>>The situation seems to be getting better, and nowadays, I just lie
>>and say I'm using Windows and execute the equivalent commands in
>>FreeBSD and explain the result.
>>
>>    
>>
>>>I don't know what OS my ISP uses but I do know that they only
>>>support Windows and Mac platforms.  I've run OS/2 and FreeBSD using
>>>their email services and never really needed technical support.
>>>      
>>>
>>As long as you never need tech support, you'll probably never have a
>>problem, nor care what OS your ISP uses.  After all, the Internet was
>>designed to be OS-independent ... when everything is working
>>correctly!
>>
>>    
>>
>>>Now, I'm considering a new ISP primarily due to cost.   Also,
>>>considering obtaining my own domain name and exploring web hosting.
>>>
>>>I assume that recommending an ISP is inappropriate but if you know
>>>of any forums that have discussed ISPs for FreeBSD, feel free to
>>>recommend them.
>>>      
>>>
>>I don't think it's inappropriate.
>>
>>I don't know of any nationwide ISPs that support/use FreeBSD, but if
>>you're in the Pittsburgh, PA area, city-net is FreeBSD friendly. 
>>Otherwise, you could give your location and if someone knows a
>>FreeBSD friendly ISP in your area, I'm sure he'll let you know.
>>    
>>
>
>Look at their web page with Netcraft, it will tell you what their web 
>server is and I think that is a good clue as to what the rest of their 
>setup.
>
>Use "What's that site running" at
>http://news.netcraft.com/
>
>
>  
>
Clearly service and technical support are major issues and easily 
compromised if parties
involved are speaking a different language.  I will spend the time to 
locate an ISP that is
capable of supporting FreeBSD.

I did come across the FreeBSD ISP list earlier in my research but 
thought it was dedicated
solely to those running ISPs.   Will give it a second look.

As previously mentioned, I intend to look for an ISP that is 
FreeBSD-friendly.  I live in
northern New Jersey in a small town adjacent to Boonton.  Boonton always 
appears at the
top of the list of ISP access numbers.  Must be a major hub of sorts.

BTW, I already had a bookmark on the netcraft website.

Thanks everyone for your valued input.

Bob Perry


-- 
I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly
distributed.

FreeBSD 4.9-RELEASE-p2 #0