Many people that have switched from Windows to Linux have found it to be a breath of fresh air... unfortunately there are still a few annoyances one runs into with Linux from time to time.Most of these related to hardware devices from clueless manufacturer... that not only don't offer drivers for Linux but also withhold the technical details that would make it easy for some geeks to write drivers (at not cost to the company). Why are these hardware manufacturers so intent on offending Linux users? Compare to say Abobe which offers Linux versions of their popular software!
Now comes a whole series of hardware devices that are especially annoying.. some USB G3/HSDPA modems. Linux seems to support the modem portion of these devices with little problem. WVDIAL with almost any configuration seems to get you online in an instant. There is just one catch!
First you need to get the modem turned on (ie: switch from it being a memory device to being a modem device). Although the newer Linux kernels handle this for some of the devices, each device seems to have a different configuration and many don't work if you just plug them in.
Instead of getting a modem, you get a "CD" with windows installation files. The result being a completely worthless device. If you are lucky your modem is supported by the kernel and you just connect. If not you are set upon a frustrating path of figuring out how to get your device to switch to the modem mode.
There is a spiffy little program called USB Modeswitch that is designed to switch the mode of these modems. The grief people will have is first that each modem model by each manufacturer seems to have a different configuration to switch. Second, this program has a somewhat tedious method of setting up the configuration, ie: commenting out (or uncommenting part the appropriate lines in the config file).
Too bad they don't have an option that scans for your device! Additionally, if your model isn't in their list of supported modems your probably out of luck.
This is the list of modems they support from their website with a couple notes of mine in []'s. Use the link above to get see their notes on each of these devices:
- Option GlobeSurfer Icon (aka "Vodafone EasyBox")
- Option GlobeSurfer Icon 7.2
- Option GlobeSurfer Icon 7.2 with HSO driver interface
- Option Icon 225 HSDPA (aka "T-Mobile web'n'walk Stick")
- Option GlobeTrotter HSUPA Modem (aka "T-Mobile wnw Card Compact III")
- Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX 3.6 (aka "T-Mobile wnw Card Compact II")
- Option GlobeTrotter EXPRESS 7.2 (aka "T-Mobile wnw Card Express II")
- Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready"
- Huawei E220 (aka "Vodafone EasyBox II", aka "T-Mobile wnw Box Micro") [This seems to be supported by recent Kernals Linux without any additional software]
- Huawei E630
- Novatel Wireless Ovation MC950D HSUPA, Ovation 930D and Merlin XU950D
- Novatel Wireless U727 USB modem
- Novatel MC990D
- ZTE MF620 (aka "Onda MH600HS")
- ZTE MF622 (aka "Onda MDC502HS") Detachment of storage driver
- ZTE MF628, ZTE MF628+ [Some people have reported that this works for the MF626, but I've had no such luck with the MF626 I got from Globe Visibility in the Philippines]
- ZTE MF638 (aka "Onda MDC525UP")
- ONDA MT503HS (most likely a ZTE model)
- ONDA MT505UP (most likely a ZTE model)
- Alcatel OT-X020 (aka "MBD-100HU", aka "Nuton 3.5G", works with "Emobile D11LC") [This configuration works with the Wm66, no manufacturer on the label, I got from Smart Bro in the Philippines].
- AnyDATA ADU-500A, AnyDATA ADU-510A, AnyDATA ADU-520A
- BandLuxe C120 Special treatment reportedly necessary. See Forum Entry
- Solomon S3Gm-660 Same notes apply as with the BandLuxe C120 above
- C-Motech D-50 (aka "CDU-680")
- Toshiba G450
- UTStarcom UM175 (distributor "Alltel")
- Hummer DTM5731
- A-Link 3GU
- Quanta MU-Q101, also referred to as "Quanta (NU) MU-Q101"
Now, I realize this is free software so customers can't be too demanding like requesting the support of specific devices or auto detection of devices. Since they have a forum, it does appear at first glance that they encourage feedback and help from others.
That is where I got really annoyed as you can see by the email exchange below. I am personally involved with several hundred forums and know the issues of spammers first hand. I think that if you get the automatic submissions out, the rest becomes very manageable without turning about legitimate users.
Even if your product is "free" you never know when one of those free users may result in something that brings wealth, opportunity and/or knowledge to you. They are the last ones you want to turn away, especially when the automatic spammers are so easily dealt with.
I see many people in the Philippines looking for answers about how to use the Globe and Smart G2/HSDPA usb modems on linux and not much in the way of easy to follow instructions. I had hopped to add my insight to the USB Modeswtich forum, but instead got sent on some exercise in researching a modem not offered by either company just so I could register. Sorry, no thanks.
I wrote [slightly edited for my 4-letter words]I want to help people in your forum... but that is ----ing nonsense... not only will I not help people I will look for an alternative and stop using your program ASAP!
People have enough frustration with the G3 modems not to have this added bull----. There are many ways to combat spam without annoying your legitimate users.
[Quoting from their forum registration page] Due to continuous forum spamming the visual confirmation has been replaced by a 'semantic' one. You are asked for an authorization code when registering (and only then). At that point please enter:
the name of the maker of the GlobeSurfer Icon
(six letters, case does not matter)
You'll easily find the answer on the USB_ModeSwitch page. Our apologies for this inconvenience ...
They replied:Sir, I understand you are on a crusade against bad customer service. It's not hard to figure out from your blog entries. However, concerning you calling me an idiot, there are some valid points to make:
1. I recommend you read your own blog entry "The Right Way of Complaining", especially the contained link to the Seattle Times. It gives you sound advice for a first approach if you have reasons to complain to anybody. Noteworthy is the paragraph about politeness, if you get my hint.
2. You did not buy anything from me. The software I provide is free and I have no obligations to anyone. I put some of my time into this project but that's entirely up to me. I hope you are able to grasp the difference between this and a commercial product. If you don't use this program it won't hurt me in any way.
3. I used several spam protection variants before the current one, all with no good result, which cost me considerable time by having to clean up all the time. When I found the "semantic" solution, spamming stopped right away. Since then, 46 users registered without assistance, and one sent me a short mail and asked for the right word which I mailed him back immediately. In all that's right I might ask who the idiot is here but I refrain from that.
4. Google tells me you collect domains like crazy. In the unlikely case you are involved with spamming or software tools to help with it I could fully understand your anger.
I want to give you a piece of advice since I came to the conclusion that you are not a troll but that you really mean it: If you are always focused to finding the bad in other people, you will never be satisfied, peaceful, and will probably suffer from a stroke some day. Relax and enjoy!
Josua Dietze
