Alan,

If your local cable TV operator offers it, buy a Cable Modem. It is the best thing I ever got for my computer. I now have direct access to the internet, no dail-up's. If you leave your computer turned on all the time, you will always be on the internet. The speed is phenominal, 10 MBPS, I would say almost 100 times faster on downloads than a 56KB dail-up. No more phone charges, the savings on my telephone bill more than pay for the higher monthly service fee.