The Internet connection method DSL and its sibling ADSL are excellent ways to get lots of bandwidth for a relatively low price, particularly if you're a business user. DSL runs over existing telephone wires, and costs way less than T1/T3 (though it costs more than cable, currently averaging about $60 a month with a $300 setup fee). Until recently, the problem was availability: the Baby Bells were stonewalling and refusing to spend the bucks to install digital subscriber lines, and as a result, most of us couldn't get ADSL access for a long while. That's rapidly changing, at least for urbanites. If you live in a rural area, ADSL access may be a long way off for you; if you live in or near a big city, check to see if you have it. A new version of ADSL called ADSL Lite or Universal ADSL, or a newer version called G.Lite, may be a lot closer to your phone jacks. "Asymmetrical digital subscriber line" technology works better than its parent, DSL, because of its ability to function over longer distances. AOL, Mindspring, Compaq, Microsoft, and several regional Bells have tentatively decided to support G. Lite. We're talking 25 to 35 times faster access here, folks. For those privileged few of you with access to DSL/ADSL now, check a few things: how fast is it really (i.e. upload as well as download speeds), hidden costs (additional access fees, installation costs, cancellation penalties), how convoluted the installation is, and can you keep your present ISP? For more info, surf over to www.adsl.com/, www.dsl.com/, and www.dslreports.com/. The more computer-savvy among us can install a G.Lite system themselves. Update: a Web site called 2Wire at www.2wire.com/links/areacode/ lets you find out if DSL access exists in your area by simply taking your area code and comparing it to a database of existing DSL carriers. Note: "free" DSL offers are popping up, most of which are not free (at the least, they are requiring you to buy an expensive DSL modem). Worse, "free DSL" tends to run at the slower ADSL speeds. Check it out before you sign up. A good rule of thumb is that the closer you are physically to your DSL provider, the faster the connection. Any farther than a couple of miles and you won't get the fastest connection times. However, one, Winfire (www.winfire.com/join/default.asp), comes recommended by my pal Vince at 5 Star Support, so you might do well to give it a look.