totally new to this linux thing

hello there, i've finally acquired a laptop, has fedora 8 installed which i like, but want to get online, why do all uk isp's specify mac/win os? is it a problem for linux users to get hooked up with bt, tiscali etc? would be discriminatory if it was...i used windows for a while, not going back there as, while i may not know about computing, i do know about good design, and MS certainly isn't that, fedora (pretty much) is....any help/advice would be much appreciated,thanks...

Hello, welcome to linux.co.uk

It depends how you connect to the internet. Most ISPs do not support Linux - they will not help you if you say you're trying to connect to the internet using it. You can order a broadband package, just make sure you get a free "router" NOT a free "USB-Modem" if you do...

The free usb-modems that come with quite a lot of broadband packages "free" are normally not fully-compatible with linux. However, broadband "routers" which you connect to your laptop using a network cable. (CAT 5 cable.. looks quite a lot like a phone connector.)

One I recommend is the speedtouch routers, although almost any make should work.