Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
On Fri, 2009-09-04 at 10:18 +0100, Rob Beard wrote: > The point is, it would be a tad annoying going out and buying a modem > for a specific provider (Three, Vodafone, T-Mobile etc), finding that > you can't get reception where you want to use it and then not being able > to return it for a refund. Luckily where I want to use my dongle I can > generally get reception (plus I also have the backup of 1GB data on my > Three contract mobile, not that I've figured out how to use the phone as > a modem via Bluetooth yet - I did find a guide but didn't have very good > reception and the guide was for T-Mobile). I have Mobile Broadband running on my Noia N95 with 3. Very easy to setup. I use the USB cable to connect to my phone and put the N95 into "PC Suite" mode. Ubuntu then pops up a window to configure the broadband modem, as I believe you get with the dongles. All very easy. I am using Jaunty on and Acer Aspire 1690. Rgds Ken -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
Alan Bell wrote: > Rob Beard wrote: > >> Matt Jones wrote: >> >> >>> If he is only going to use it a small amount, then Vodafone offer the >>> best deal, top up £15 for 1GB. Then use it until it runs out. With >>> everyone else, your 1GB of data only lasts 30days, even if you haven't >>> used it all. >>> >>> Most of the dongles are plug and play, I'm not sure about the >>> Vodaphone one though, as the field has developed so quickly, then the >>> drivers aren't in Ubuntu yet for the most modern ones. >>> >>> Do you have a link to the laptop? >>> >>> Matt. >>> >>> >>> >> I can confirm the Vodafone modem is supported. Once it's configured >> (which is just a case of following a wizard and selecting the provider >> in the case of the Vodafone Pay As You Go modem you'd select "Vodafone >> Topup and Go") then all you do is simply plug the modem in wait about 10 >> seconds, click the network manager icon in the task bar and select the >> Vodafone connection. >> >> I can't remember if the Vodafone modems have a money back guarantee or >> not, if not it's worth at least checking the coverage maps on Vodafone's >> web site to make sure you are in an area which is covered at least by 3G >> (ideally HSDPA). >> >> Rob >> >> >> >> > The networks don't make dongles, they just rebrand them, and change the > hardware and supplier from time to time so there is no "vodaphone > dongle" as such. What I meant was I wasn't sure if Vodafone would offer refunds within 28 days on the modems that they sell. May have badly worded it, I realise that Vodafone don't make the modems and just brand them. The point is, it would be a tad annoying going out and buying a modem for a specific provider (Three, Vodafone, T-Mobile etc), finding that you can't get reception where you want to use it and then not being able to return it for a refund. Luckily where I want to use my dongle I can generally get reception (plus I also have the backup of 1GB data on my Three contract mobile, not that I've figured out how to use the phone as a modem via Bluetooth yet - I did find a guide but didn't have very good reception and the guide was for T-Mobile). Does anyone know if these dongles are still locked to specific providers? I vaguely remember reading something a while back about unlocking the E220 modem so it can be used on any network, can't say I've tried it, but maybe it could be handy to have a couple of SIM cards for different networks (to cover to gaps in reception assuming, for instance maybe one on Vodafone and one on T-Mobile). Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
Rob Beard wrote: > Matt Jones wrote: > >> If he is only going to use it a small amount, then Vodafone offer the >> best deal, top up £15 for 1GB. Then use it until it runs out. With >> everyone else, your 1GB of data only lasts 30days, even if you haven't >> used it all. >> >> Most of the dongles are plug and play, I'm not sure about the >> Vodaphone one though, as the field has developed so quickly, then the >> drivers aren't in Ubuntu yet for the most modern ones. >> >> Do you have a link to the laptop? >> >> Matt. >> >> > I can confirm the Vodafone modem is supported. Once it's configured > (which is just a case of following a wizard and selecting the provider > in the case of the Vodafone Pay As You Go modem you'd select "Vodafone > Topup and Go") then all you do is simply plug the modem in wait about 10 > seconds, click the network manager icon in the task bar and select the > Vodafone connection. > > I can't remember if the Vodafone modems have a money back guarantee or > not, if not it's worth at least checking the coverage maps on Vodafone's > web site to make sure you are in an area which is covered at least by 3G > (ideally HSDPA). > > Rob > > > The networks don't make dongles, they just rebrand them, and change the hardware and supplier from time to time so there is no "vodaphone dongle" as such. The main manufacturers you will come across are Huawei, Option and ZTE and this will be printed somewhere on the underside of the dongle in very small faint text. They really are quite simple devices when they are working. They are basically modems and talk old school Hayes AT commands. They tend to be seen as a few serial ports, one for data, one for commands, sometimes some extra ones for reasons that are not always apparent. The difficulty is that they start out in useless mode, pretending to be a CDRom drive containing drivers for defective operating systems that don't properly support them. These drivers then flip the dongle into sensible modem mode and then carry on. The crazy thing is that all the dongles have different commands to turn them into modems and every time a new one comes out a new rule has to be added to support it. The defective operating systems are fine as the drivers and rules don't come with the operating system but are on the CD when it is in useless mode. I guess it would be nice if the CD contained a little text file in a standard place with the command to flip it, or if they just didn't do the stupid fake CD thing at all. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
On Fri, 2009-09-04 at 08:39 +0100, Alan Lord (News) wrote: > On 04/09/09 08:27, Philip Wyett wrote: > > > > > I use t-mobile (Huawei dongle) on laptops that 8.04 and up on. I have no > > real issues using it bar one. To get 30 days of broadband at the fixed > > £15 (3Gb download limit, but allows to to browse even when exceeded and > > blocks downloads between 4pm and midnight) you have to SMS from the > > device after purchasing the top up which makes you reliant on t-mobiles > > Windows software. :-( > > Have you tried wader? That supports SMS over 3G devices. > > http://wader-project.org/ > > We funded some of the development ;-) > > Al > > Thanks Alan. Got it installed and running on my work/main 8.04 laptop I have with me and able to send an SMS to my phone. Will try with a top-up tomorrow. Many thanks Regards Phil signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
Matt Jones wrote: > If he is only going to use it a small amount, then Vodafone offer the > best deal, top up £15 for 1GB. Then use it until it runs out. With > everyone else, your 1GB of data only lasts 30days, even if you haven't > used it all. > > Most of the dongles are plug and play, I'm not sure about the > Vodaphone one though, as the field has developed so quickly, then the > drivers aren't in Ubuntu yet for the most modern ones. > > Do you have a link to the laptop? > > Matt. > I can confirm the Vodafone modem is supported. Once it's configured (which is just a case of following a wizard and selecting the provider in the case of the Vodafone Pay As You Go modem you'd select "Vodafone Topup and Go") then all you do is simply plug the modem in wait about 10 seconds, click the network manager icon in the task bar and select the Vodafone connection. I can't remember if the Vodafone modems have a money back guarantee or not, if not it's worth at least checking the coverage maps on Vodafone's web site to make sure you are in an area which is covered at least by 3G (ideally HSDPA). Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
On 04/09/09 08:27, Philip Wyett wrote: > > I use t-mobile (Huawei dongle) on laptops that 8.04 and up on. I have no > real issues using it bar one. To get 30 days of broadband at the fixed > £15 (3Gb download limit, but allows to to browse even when exceeded and > blocks downloads between 4pm and midnight) you have to SMS from the > device after purchasing the top up which makes you reliant on t-mobiles > Windows software. :-( Have you tried wader? That supports SMS over 3G devices. http://wader-project.org/ We funded some of the development ;-) Al -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
On Thu, 2009-09-03 at 21:17 +0100, Jon Taylor wrote: > Hi all, > > I’m looking for some information. My father in law is looking to buy a > laptop and broadband dongle. We’ve (sort of) found a laptop that we’re > going to put Jaunty onto but I’d like to know if there are any ISP’s > we should look at and also any we should avoid? > > Also are there issues with dongles and Ubuntu or is it going to be > plain sailing? Please bear in mind that this is going to be for a > recently retired person who has only ever had MS OS’s so he definitely > won’t understand terminal or other technical stuff. I’ll probably be > the one setting it all up for him. > > I’d be really grateful for any advice and/or warnings of potential > hazards. > > Thanks > > Jon > Hi, I use t-mobile (Huawei dongle) on laptops that 8.04 and up on. I have no real issues using it bar one. To get 30 days of broadband at the fixed £15 (3Gb download limit, but allows to to browse even when exceeded and blocks downloads between 4pm and midnight) you have to SMS from the device after purchasing the top up which makes you reliant on t-mobiles Windows software. :-( Regards Phil signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
On 03/09/09 21:17, Jon Taylor wrote: > Hi all, > > I’m looking for some information. My father in law is looking to buy a > laptop and broadband dongle. We’ve (sort of) found a laptop that we’re > going to put Jaunty onto but I’d like to know if there are any ISP’s we > should look at and also any we should avoid? > > Also are there issues with dongles and Ubuntu or is it going to be plain > sailing? Please bear in mind that this is going to be for a recently > retired person who has only ever had MS OS’s so he definitely won’t > understand terminal or other technical stuff. I’ll probably be the one > setting it all up for him. The 3G dongle subject was discussed *very* recently on this list. The last reply to the thread entitled "USB Wireless G3 Dongle" was only a day before your post. That response has lots of good info about which dongles work etc, but the basic answer is that most of the mainstream devices seem to be just fine. Huawei are probably the biggest manufacturer, ZTE is reported to not be straightforward. If you look through the archive for the thread you'll find more detail: https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-uk/2009-September/thread.html Cheers Al -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
Jon > I’m looking for some information. My father in law is looking to buy a > laptop and broadband dongle. We’ve (sort of) found a laptop that we’re going > to put Jaunty onto but I’d like to know if there are any ISP’s we should > look at and also any we should avoid? I found that the 3-mobile dongle works fine on my Asus eeepc 901 with mint gloria (aka Jaunty) on it. 3-mobile give 1gb a month at £10. (or if you are an existing customer, its £5 a month) Mint automatically found the dongle and identified the network. However, if you look at the coverage maps, and I hadn't realised this, you will see the coverage for mobile broadband is very different to the mobile phone coverage. I had stupidly assumed that of I could get a mobile phone signal I would get a broadband signal. For example I pick up no broadband signal in my office or house(6 and 20 miles south of Bath), which now that I have checked is indicated on the map as not being covered. Indeed now looking at the map, there are massive gaps in coverage, and its not just 3-mobile who have these gaps, so I would check this, as there are lots of unexpected gaps. On the outskirts of Newport in South Wales, I picked up a signal fine with the 3 dongle, but an 02 dongle couldn't find any signal. In practice, in the 18 months of owning the dongle, I have only picked up a signal three or four times. This has been across SW England, South Wales, Central Scotland and North West Scotland. In most of these cases I could pick up a good mobile phone signal, but nothing at all on broadband. Graham -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
>> Most of the dongles are plug and play, I'm not sure about the >> Vodaphone one though, as the field has developed so quickly, then the >> drivers aren't in Ubuntu yet for the most modern ones. > > The Vodafone K3565 works OK on Jaunty but I did need > to change some of the default settings in Network > Manager. > > One you've plugged it in and created a 'Vodafone > (pre-pay)' entry, edit the settings to change the APN > to 'pp.internet' and restrict the allowed authentication > methods to: > > PAP > CHAP > MSCHAP v2 Back in the murky depths of time I wrote this tutorial on getting a 3G USB modem to work with Ubuntu using the Vodaphone connect drivers. I've not used this for a while but it *might* still be relevant today. http://www.justuber.com/blog/2008/06/25/setting-up-your-huawei-e220-3g-usb-modem-on-ubuntu-three-uk/ Chris -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
> Most of the dongles are plug and play, I'm not sure about the > Vodaphone one though, as the field has developed so quickly, then the > drivers aren't in Ubuntu yet for the most modern ones. The Vodafone K3565 works OK on Jaunty but I did need to change some of the default settings in Network Manager. One you've plugged it in and created a 'Vodafone (pre-pay)' entry, edit the settings to change the APN to 'pp.internet' and restrict the allowed authentication methods to: PAP CHAP MSCHAP v2 Robert. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
My wife's Vodaphone dongle just works when I plug it into my EEEPC running Jaunty 9.04. We bought it about six months ago and still have £12 of the inclusive £15 left. In Windows you get a desktop app which gives you information about useage, connection speed, etc, which you don't get in Linux. I guess its not the cheapest deal, but it suites our very occasional use. If your father in law is going to be a heavy user, you should look at the other pay as you go deals and possibly pay monthly contracts (or get him fixed line broadband) Tony On 3 Sep 2009 at 21:30, Matt Jones wrote: > > If he is only going to use it a small amount, then Vodafone offer the > best deal, top up £15 for 1GB. Then use it until it runs out. With > everyone else, your 1GB of data only lasts 30days, even if you haven't > used it all. > > Most of the dongles are plug and play, I'm not sure about the > Vodaphone one though, as the field has developed so quickly, then the > drivers aren't in Ubuntu yet for the most modern ones. > > Do you have a link to the laptop? > > Matt. > > On Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM, Jon Taylor wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I’m looking for some information. My father in law is looking to buy a > > laptop and broadband dongle. We’ve (sort of) found a laptop that we’re going > > to put Jaunty onto but I’d like to know if there are any ISP’s we should > > look at and also any we should avoid? > > > > Also are there issues with dongles and Ubuntu or is it going to be plain > > sailing? Please bear in mind that this is going to be for a recently retired > > person who has only ever had MS OS’s so he definitely won’t understand > > terminal or other technical stuff. I’ll probably be the one setting it all > > up for him. > > > > I’d be really grateful for any advice and/or warnings of potential hazards. > > > > Thanks > > > > Jon > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jon Taylor > > > > 1st Choice Bathrooms > > > > j...@1stchoicebathrooms.co.uk > > > > www.1stchoicebathrooms.co.uk > > > > The contents of this e-mail and any attachment(s) are strictly > > > > confidential and are solely for the recipient(s) at the e-mail > > > > address(es) above. If you are not an addressee, you may not disclose, > > > > distribute, copy or use this e-mail, please delete it and all copies of > > > > it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the > > > > sender. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any > > > > mistransmission. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, > > > > distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the > > intended recipient. > > > > 1st Choice Bathrooms accepts no legal liability for the contents of > > > > this e-mail including any errors, interception or interference, as > > > > internet communications are not secure. Whilst 1st Choice Bathrooms > > > > and/or the sender have taken every precaution to prevent transmission > > > > of computer viruses, should this inadvertently occur we do not accept > > > > any liability, you are advised to take your own steps to ensure that > > > > you are protected against malicious communications. Any attachments are > > opened at your own risk. > > > > We may monitor all e-mails sent to or from this or any other office of > > > > the firm for compliance with our internal policies. No contractual > > > > relationship is created by this e-mail by any person or company unless > > > > specifically indicated otherwise by agreement in writing via means other > > than e-mail. > > > > > > > > -- > > ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk > > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ > > > > > > -- > ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ > -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
If he is only going to use it a small amount, then Vodafone offer the best deal, top up £15 for 1GB. Then use it until it runs out. With everyone else, your 1GB of data only lasts 30days, even if you haven't used it all. Most of the dongles are plug and play, I'm not sure about the Vodaphone one though, as the field has developed so quickly, then the drivers aren't in Ubuntu yet for the most modern ones. Do you have a link to the laptop? Matt. On Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM, Jon Taylor wrote: > Hi all, > > I’m looking for some information. My father in law is looking to buy a > laptop and broadband dongle. We’ve (sort of) found a laptop that we’re going > to put Jaunty onto but I’d like to know if there are any ISP’s we should > look at and also any we should avoid? > > Also are there issues with dongles and Ubuntu or is it going to be plain > sailing? Please bear in mind that this is going to be for a recently retired > person who has only ever had MS OS’s so he definitely won’t understand > terminal or other technical stuff. I’ll probably be the one setting it all > up for him. > > I’d be really grateful for any advice and/or warnings of potential hazards. > > Thanks > > Jon > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jon Taylor > > 1st Choice Bathrooms > > j...@1stchoicebathrooms.co.uk > > www.1stchoicebathrooms.co.uk > > The contents of this e-mail and any attachment(s) are strictly > > confidential and are solely for the recipient(s) at the e-mail > > address(es) above. If you are not an addressee, you may not disclose, > > distribute, copy or use this e-mail, please delete it and all copies of > > it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the > > sender. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any > > mistransmission. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, > > distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the > intended recipient. > > 1st Choice Bathrooms accepts no legal liability for the contents of > > this e-mail including any errors, interception or interference, as > > internet communications are not secure. Whilst 1st Choice Bathrooms > > and/or the sender have taken every precaution to prevent transmission > > of computer viruses, should this inadvertently occur we do not accept > > any liability, you are advised to take your own steps to ensure that > > you are protected against malicious communications. Any attachments are > opened at your own risk. > > We may monitor all e-mails sent to or from this or any other office of > > the firm for compliance with our internal policies. No contractual > > relationship is created by this e-mail by any person or company unless > > specifically indicated otherwise by agreement in writing via means other > than e-mail. > > > > -- > ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ > > -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] laptops and broadband dongles
Hi all, I'm looking for some information. My father in law is looking to buy a laptop and broadband dongle. We've (sort of) found a laptop that we're going to put Jaunty onto but I'd like to know if there are any ISP's we should look at and also any we should avoid? Also are there issues with dongles and Ubuntu or is it going to be plain sailing? Please bear in mind that this is going to be for a recently retired person who has only ever had MS OS's so he definitely won't understand terminal or other technical stuff. I'll probably be the one setting it all up for him. I'd be really grateful for any advice and/or warnings of potential hazards. Thanks Jon Jon Taylor 1st Choice Bathrooms j...@1stchoicebathrooms.co.uk www.1stchoicebathrooms.co.uk The contents of this e-mail and any attachment(s) are strictly confidential and are solely for the recipient(s) at the e-mail address(es) above. If you are not an addressee, you may not disclose, distribute, copy or use this e-mail, please delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. 1st Choice Bathrooms accepts no legal liability for the contents of this e-mail including any errors, interception or interference, as internet communications are not secure. Whilst 1st Choice Bathrooms and/or the sender have taken every precaution to prevent transmission of computer viruses, should this inadvertently occur we do not accept any liability, you are advised to take your own steps to ensure that you are protected against malicious communications. Any attachments are opened at your own risk. We may monitor all e-mails sent to or from this or any other office of the firm for compliance with our internal policies. No contractual relationship is created by this e-mail by any person or company unless specifically indicated otherwise by agreement in writing via means other than e-mail. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
