[ILUG] Why did Eircom send me an ADSL modem?

[Timothy Murphy]

Yesterday Eircom sent ne an unsolicited gift -
a Netopia Cayman ADSL modem.
I wonder if anyone else was a similar recipient of Sir Anthony's benevolence?

I'm currently a (grateful) client of Eircom's Starter ADSL service,
having earlier downgraded from Eircom Solo,
which I had from the first public offering.

The Netopia modem was accompanied by a letter
expressing gratitude for opting for Eircom Broadband.
As far as I can see I am not asked to pay anything,
and the monthly charge specified in the letter
is 45euro reduced by 10euro for 12 months.

(1) Is this the standard Eircom charge for the current cheapest ADSL offering?
I hadn't heard of this 12 month reduction elsewhere.

(2) The modem has a USB port and an Ethernet port,
and it implies you can use both with different computers.
I wonder if anyone has successfully done this?
Preferably under Linux ...

(3) Should I keep the modem, or should I return it with thanks to Sir A?

-- 
Timothy Murphy  
e-mail (<80k only): tim /at/ birdsnest.maths.tcd.ie
tel: +353-86-2336090, +353-1-2842366
s-mail: School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland