Usability Fedora vs Windows

I’m writing this post sitting in a train, connected to the internet via UMTS. The device is a Huawai E220 HSDPA modem connected via USB. Guess who is the winner?

Procedure to get the device running on Fedora (first time usage):

  • Plug in the device on any USB port
  • Enter the PIN in the pop-up
  • Enjoy mobile Internet connection

Steps: 3
Time: approx. 5sec.

Procedure on Windows XP (first time usage):

  • Decide on what USB port you will plug in the device an memorize it, because subsequently it will only work on that USB port
  • Plug in the device
  • A virtual CDROM drive gets mounted, a window with some drivers is appearing
  • Install the driver
  • reboot your notebook
  • Finding and starting the previously installed software
  • Getting a pop-up asking for the PIN
  • Enjoy mobile Internet connection

Steps: 8
Time: approx 10min

[update]
Procedure on Windows 7 (first time usage):

  • Decide on what USB port you will plug in the device an memorize it, because subsequently it will only work on that USB port
  • Plug in the device
  • A virtual CDROM drive gets mounted, a window with some drivers is appearing
  • When autorun.inf is enabled, the driver installs automatically (on enterprise systems mostly disabled). if not enabled, read some documentation what to do
  • Finding and starting the previously installed software
  • Getting a pop-up asking for the PIN
  • Enjoy mobile Internet connection

Steps: 7
Time: Between 5min and 30min (depending on your Windows 7 knowledge)
[/update]

For the subsequent usage on Fedora proceed as it is the first time usage.

On Windows (XP and 7) you need to remember which port you plugged in the device when you installed it. Otherwise you need to uninstall the drivers, reboot and install the drivers again and reboot again. [update]On Windows 7 you do not need a reboot.[/update]

Having fun? With Fedora yes 🙂 With Windows? Not really…

15 thoughts on “Usability Fedora vs Windows

  1. Jonathan Pritchard says:

    I’ve been using my E1550 seamlessly with Fedora for a while now: it puts Windows to shame. What I have noticed is that if it can’t get signal sometimes NetworkManager appears to drop the device, or it times outs. It’d be good if automatically reconnected, or held the connection and waited until it could get signal again.

    • Luc de Louw says:

      Hi Jonathan,

      I completely agree with you regarding Windows, it is a shame.

      Regarding Network Manager: My observation was if the signal-lost was not for too long time the connection was recovered after getting a signal again (approx 5min).

      I do not know if it would be technically possible to freeze a TCP/IP connection for longer time, but of course it would be great.

  2. Matt Walton says:

    It binds to a particular USB port?

    I cannot express in this medium how astonished I am by that.

    • Luc de Louw says:

      Hi Matt,

      On Windows XP it is really bound to a particular USB port. A workmate was installing the stuff when the modem was plugged in to a USB port on the docking station, he had a lot of fun on a business trip removing the drivers and reinstall the whole stuff.

      This fact was holding me back for quite some time to even try it on Linux, I was sure it will be impossible. Actually the contrary is true.

      I do not know if also applies to Windows 7.

      On Fedora 12, 13 and 14 it is just “Plug and Work”.

      Cheers,

      Luc

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