# Wvdial

> computer program for assisting modem connections

**Wikidata**: [Q1050704](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1050704)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WvDial)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wvdial

## Summary
WvDial is a free software computer program designed to assist with modem connections, primarily for establishing internet access via dial-up. Created by Avery Pennarun, it runs on Linux and is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License. The program simplifies the process of connecting to the internet using a modem, making it accessible for users without deep technical knowledge.

## Key Facts
- Creator: Avery Pennarun, a Canadian software engineer
- License: GNU Lesser General Public License
- Latest stable version: 1.61 (released September 29, 2009)
- Operating system: Linux
- Website: http://alumnit.ca/wiki/index.php?page=WvDial
- Instance of: Computer program, free software
- Aliases: Gnome-ppp, Gnome ppp, جنوم بي.بي.بي
- Source code repository: https://github.com/wlach/wvdial
- Available in: Arabic, English, Spanish, Italian, Karachay-Balkar, Portuguese

## FAQs
### Q: What is WvDial used for?
A: WvDial is used to assist with establishing modem connections, primarily for dial-up internet access on Linux systems. It automates the process of dialing and connecting to an internet service provider.

### Q: Who created WvDial?
A: WvDial was created by Avery Pennarun, a Canadian software engineer and programmer.

### Q: Is WvDial free to use?
A: Yes, WvDial is free software distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.

## Why It Matters
WvDial matters because it democratized dial-up internet access on Linux systems, making it accessible to users without extensive technical knowledge. Before tools like WvDial, establishing a modem connection on Linux often required manual configuration of complex settings. By automating this process, WvDial played a crucial role in expanding internet access during the dial-up era, particularly for Linux users who might have otherwise struggled with connectivity. Its free software nature also aligned with the open-source philosophy, contributing to the growth of accessible internet tools. While dial-up has largely been replaced by broadband, WvDial's approach to simplifying technical processes influenced later connection management tools and remains relevant in areas where dial-up is still used or as a fallback option.

## Notable For
- Automating dial-up connection setup on Linux, eliminating the need for manual configuration
- Being one of the most user-friendly dial-up tools for Linux during the dial-up internet era
- Supporting multiple languages, making it accessible to a global user base
- Maintaining an active development and support community, with its source code available on GitHub
- Being packaged for major Linux distributions, including Debian, Arch Linux, and Gentoo

## Body
### Development and History
WvDial was developed by Avery Pennarun, a Canadian software engineer, to address the complexity of establishing modem connections on Linux systems. The program emerged during the dial-up internet era when connecting to the internet via modem was a common but often technically challenging process. Pennarun's creation simplified this by automating the connection process, making internet access more accessible to Linux users.

### Technical Specifications
The latest stable version of WvDial is 1.61, released on September 29, 2009. It is written in an unspecified programming language (referenced as Q2407 in Wikidata) and is specifically designed to run on Linux operating systems. The program is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, which allows for free use, modification, and distribution of the software.

### Features and Functionality
WvDial's primary function is to automate the process of establishing a dial-up internet connection. It handles the dialing process, authentication with the internet service provider, and the establishment of the connection. The program is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal configuration compared to manual modem setup methods. It supports various modem types and can automatically detect and configure settings for many common modems.

### Availability and Distribution
WvDial is widely available across Linux distributions and can be installed through package managers. It is included in the repositories of major distributions such as Debian (as the 'wvdial' package), Arch Linux, and Gentoo. The program's source code is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/wlach/wvdial, allowing for community contributions and forks. Additionally, WvDial has been translated into multiple languages, including Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Karachay-Balkar, and Portuguese, expanding its accessibility to a global audience.

### Legacy and Impact
While dial-up internet has largely been replaced by broadband connections, WvDial's impact on Linux networking tools remains significant. It set a precedent for user-friendly connection management software and demonstrated the potential for automating complex technical processes. The program's approach to simplifying modem connections influenced later networking tools and continues to be relevant in areas where dial-up is still used or as a backup connectivity option. WvDial's success also highlighted the importance of accessible internet tools in expanding digital inclusion, particularly in the open-source community.

## References

1. [The wvdial Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/wvdial/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
2. [Wv Dial - open.alumnit.ca. 2011](http://alumnit.ca/wiki/index.php?page=WvDial)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013