I don’t know where you live, but you should check around because high-speed Internet is very available now, and at a price not much higher (if at all) than your current dial up. My local phone company charges a fortune for it, but a cable company came in and is now offering a package that has TV and Internet (and your phone, if you want it) in one thrifty package. Don’t miss these things! Video is fantastic, and if you’re a Freeper, you will be happy for every dime you spend on getting a better connection.
We’re lucky to have same day TV news, and private phone lines as well. We didn’t have these things 1/4 century ago.