Help --- can't get on to CenturyTel ISP

[Gary Hildebrand]

>From what I can tell, their end is some sort of weird protocol, at least
from what my ear can tell from the usual burps and squeals.  My modem
and theirs just don't connect.  No error msgs, nuffin.  Dials in, and I
hear the dialog between protocols and it just gets lost in the woods
somewhere.

There has to be some sort of Init string for my USR Sportster 56k that
would work.

Their help desk doesn't support Linux (shame on them) and I've had a
couple bum steers, so I'm open to any and all suggestions.  Maybe there
is someone out there who knows someone who is both a Linux and
CenturyTel ISP user who might have the answer.  If you know of a way to
cross post this, go right ahead.

Looks like their services are worth very little if I can't get this to
go.  They already have a reputation for having lousy customer service
--- so far I've seen little to contradict that.  I'm stuck with them for
my telephone service up here in the boonies.

Tnx in advance,

Gary Hildebrand
St. Joseph, MO