Rumor has it that before broadband, people used their *phone lines* to connect to the Internet. I have no idea how this worked but allegedly some people still have these "modems" around in case of a broadband outage.

Hmm, I think I know what those phone lines are, they have some digital ones at work. And looking here, (/me turns his laptop to the side), I think this is one of those old "phone line" modem connectors.

The last time I regurarly use dial up for net access was back when 56kflex was just getting out of beta. I spent a bit of money on a firmware upgradable modem to help my ISP test their 56k service. Then they canned me a few weeks later, I moved to fixed wireless, and never looked back.

I've been phone-line free for a while now as well. GSM cell service has been my single number now for 4 address changes.

--Update--
Well, it's past midnight Pacific Time, and I am still connected on the @home network. Hopefully the shutdown was held off till after I get switched.