sexpots not initializing my modem on Linux, but working 100% on Windows

When I run freshly downloaded sexpots with my USRobotics modem on Linux, try as I may the commands never get sent to the modem. When I use screen, minicom, or mgetty the modem works. And when I copy my sexpots.ini file to Windows and use sexpots.exe, it works perfectly. Is there anything I can do to fix this? Thank you.