I agree with swwelsh.
Harware modems are a must for using other operation systems besides windows!!
A lot of isa modems are hardware modems.
very few pci modems are harware modems.
All external serial modems are hardware modems which is what you should get.
zoom v.92 3049 external modem is a good choice. (around $80)
however, creative has a internal pci hardware modem.
The di5633 v.92 pci. Even though it is technically a hardware modem, it is a pci modem which can be iffy in linux. I am still trying to get confirmation that this modem works in linux. If it does, that is cool because it only cost $39. Creative doesn offer a driver for linux, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work in linux, bsd,qnx, and beos.
If anyone know of any v.92 pci harware modems that work in linux, let me know pleese!
~~found some more info on the di5633. My info on the di5633 not being a winmodem looks to be wrong. The place where I found the specs will be hearing from me once I get confrimation.
and rhettman5, you are right though, onboard modems suck!
bottom line, go for an external modem with a good serial cable.