Gene, I think cable internet is great. Uses the same cable as TV's; all can run simultaneously.

The installation requires buying (or monthly lease) of a cable modem, at $200-$300 to purchase. You also need an Ethernet card in your computer (10Base-T) which some computers already have, but otherwise, you need to buy the Ethernet card also. So, initial set-up can be a bit expensive, but worth it to me. As an offset, you don't need to pay for a second telephone line. You are connected 24-hours a day without tying up your primary phone line. Basic cost is about $30 + tax per month. Speed is great, but perhaps you should compare to DSL-phone line, which I have heard good things about too.

Package comes with 3 email addresses, and some free webspace for each one (on the @Home network). You can use either Netscape or Internet Explorer; both are supported.

Downsides -- if cable is down, your internet will be down, too, so be sure your cable service is reliable. If you travel a lot, you can't use the cable service to hook up and surf the net via a travelling laptop, like using one of the national ISP's (AOL, etc.) that have local dial-up numbers in all the cities. (You can check your email remotely, however.)

BTW, if you plan to use the @Home cable service (offered through Cox and TCI, maybe others too?), they offer current subscribers a one month free service (worth $30) for referring a new customer. If you decide to sign-up, let me know, and I'll refer you, and send you the $30 when they credit my bill for the referral.