"What happened to the Internet connection?" It was a cry from the wilderness. Actually, the cry came from my wife, Judy, who was in her office down the hall. "It's faster than I've ever seen it," she said. I hadn't told her I'd switched the network from cable modem to DSL. It was a test--I wanted to get her unbiased reaction. (Don't you try this at home. Only qualified technoids can surprise a spouse with DSL instead of dinner and get away with it.)

Over the last few years, I've tried almost every whiz-bang way there is to connect to the Internet. I've zoomed through the Net with a cable modem for about a year now. Before that I had a satellite beam the Web into my home via a DirecPC Internet dish on my roof (fast, but a hassle). Back in the bad old days, I even tried an ISDN line (don't get me started on that one).

But I've given all that up for something that's better, quicker to say, and more impressive at parties: DSL. It stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and once I got a taste of it, it was hasta la vista, cable.

Hold My Calls! I Have DSL

DSL is faster than the leisurely 256-kbps cable modem speed I was used to. A typical DSL hookup offers 384-kbps downloads and 128-kbps uploads. (You can get cable connections that are faster, but it'll cost you.) Like cable, DSL is always connected. That means I don't have to wait to check my e-mail or browse the Web, because there's no dialing, and there are absolutely no busy signals.

My guess is you have two phone lines, one for Internet surfing and the other for making calls. If you do, consider this: Some DSL providers will split your one existing copper phone line and use it for simultaneous browsing and voice or fax calls. (Just try that with cable.)

The clincher? Unlike my cable modem, DSL has never given me a minute of access trouble or downtime. Access speed has been consistent for months, because the connection doesn't meander through various switching stations. And unlike cable modem users, I don't share my bandwidth with others on a network. That makes DSL less prone to slowdowns as all my neighbors log on to BassCam.com.

Intrigued? Check out these DSL sites: www.dslreports.com and www.dsl.com. Both will help you figure out if you can get DSL--or at least put you in touch with a provider in your area. If you want something you can sink your teeth into, grab a copy of David Angell's DSL for Dummies (IDG Books, 1999).

Hasta la Visa

Okay, you want to know how much DSL will set you back. Answer: Not much more than cable. As always, prices vary depending on where you live and the speed you want. In Pasadena, California, EarthLink and Pacific Bell have teamed up to provide 384-kbps/128-kbps connections for $50 per month with a $198 installation fee.

Unfortunately, the duo didn't offer DSL service in my area yet and I had shpilkes (translation: I couldn't wait). So I got in touch with Concentric, another ISP, and had it set up an extremely fast 1.1-mbps connection that practically blew the hair off my head (hold the jokes, please) but cost more than lease payments on a new Lexus--nearly $400 a month. Hence Judy's wonder and amazement (wait till she sees the bill).

Naturally, I was worried about installation. When I had my ISDN line installed, Pacific Bell sent over a crackerjack team--Larry, Moe, and Curly. (Larry had never seen a computer before, Moe had never used a telephone, and Curly was their supervisor, so he knew even less than they did.) This time it was much better. Concentric handled everything, getting Pac Bell to check the lines and Covad, the actual DSL provider, to set up my PC and connect the DSL modem. In an hour, I was up and running.

Next month: Sharing your Internet connection and defending yourself against hackers trying to break into your PC.

SUMMARY

DSL For Dummies $25 IDG Books 800/434-3422 www.dummies.com