Netzero dialer using MEPIS

The modem com ports are in KPPP setup in the modem sectoin.
Where did you find the NetZero Deb file to download?

Being a paying user, I just went to their site (www.netzero.net) and downloaded it via windows, you have to tell Netzero that you want the Lindows\Linspire version of the dialer. You will get the netzero.deb. Then I installed it; double(?) clicking on it brought up the Kpackage installer.

NZ uses a propriatary dialer. KPPP is not involved, even to setup the modem.

Since I have changed the /dev/modem pointer manually it has worked fairly well. (The connection is a little sluggish, anyone know how to fix that?)
Here are step by step instructions on how to do that:
1 ) open the File Manager (Super User Mode)
2 ) change to the /dev directory
3 ) delete the "modem" file
4 ) close the file manager
5 ) open the Terminal (Super User Mode)
6 ) change to the /dev directory
7 ) type the following command and press enter
ln -s /dev/ttyS# /dev/modem
8 ) close the Terminal, you have changed where /dev/modem to point to ttyS# (ttyS1, ttyS2...)

I hope that this helps anyone who needs it.

Thanks for that Henry I have ben using NetZero for years with Windoze but when I started using Linux about two years ago I had to get another isp. I now know that NetZero will work with Mepis and can get back to there fine service.

Henry, thanks for the post. I also have a NetZero account that I use as one of my absolute-last-ditch-backup-backup dial-up lines. In other words, I have an account but I rarely use it. So I don't pay for it. Does the package you mention work if one is NOT a paying customer?

Oh, and is there a similar package for Juno?

Jon

I don't know if it works for free users.
All I can suggest is to try and download it.

As to if a Juno version is available I have no idea.

Hope some of this helps.

-Henry

I'll take a look

Yes, Juno offers what appears to be the same .deb file on their site as well...I think that Juno and NetZero are the same company now (?)

I downloaded this and it opened and installed with Kpackage and (newbie alert!) I now don't know where to find the application, doesn't show up in the Kmenu after updating...help anyone?

Probably you could just key in netzero at a console prompt

If you want an icon, key in

which netzero

at a console prompt

navigate to that location in konqueror,and drag the file to the desktop

select link here, and you'll have an icon

Post to http://www.mepislovers.org -- very helpful site

Check mepislovers wiki http://www.mepislovers-wiki.org/

Mike

Thanks guys for the pointers to NetZero and Juno. Yes, they're both owned by United Online now.

I'll download the packages and load them on my system to see if they work. Right now, since I'm using them as back-back-back-backups (grin) I just go to their webmail interface to keep my accounts alive. I will have to try things with a modem to see what happens...

Jon

I am dealing with this precise issue using the Juno dialer which is the same as the NetZero dialer. Re:

1 ) open the File Manager (Super User Mode)
2 ) change to the /dev directory
3 ) delete the "modem" file
4 ) close the file manager
5 ) open the Terminal (Super User Mode)
6 ) change to the /dev directory
7 ) type the following command and press enter
ln -s /dev/ttyS# /dev/modem
8 ) close the Terminal, you have changed where /dev/modem to point to ttyS# (ttyS1, ttyS2...)

Could someone please walk me through precisely what to enter here:

6 ) change to the /dev directory

how to point to a directory in the terminal?

and:

7 ) type the following command and press enter
ln -s /dev/ttyS# /dev/modem

I understand about switching the ttyS# but is "In -s" part of the CL entry?

NO CLI experience, am studying tutorials but this modem setup is my first concern, any help greatly appreciated. =)

6)type the following without ("") quotes:
"cd /dev"

7)Yes it is part of the command. Linux is case sensative. If I were to type the command in all caps it would look like this:
LN -S /DEV/TTYS# /DEV/MODEM

Also sherpa, to perform the commands above you must be user root.

So do do this if you are originally logged in as "you":
Open a konsole (the very small icon just to the right of the "K" menu). That will open a command line environment.
From within the konsole:

$ su     # This will switch you to "superuser" (root)
Password: (enter root's password here)
#        # The prompt will change from "$" to "#" indicating that you are root.
         # It is a prompt, not a comment.  Don't enter it.
# cd /dev
# rm modem
# ln -s /dev/ttyS0 /dev/modem
# exit
$        # Changes you back to "you"
$ exit   # Closes konsole

Links are kind of like Windows "shortcuts" only they work better
The "-s" indicates a "symbolic" link; one that provides a different name for the same file. The ttyS0 is lowercase "tty" UPPERCASE "S" and digit zero. You may need to change zero to one if that's the port that your modem is connected to.

Jon