Joerg wrote:
Hello Ken,

Long distance telephone is now virtually free, and the internet
is free. ...



Ahem, not quite. I have to shell out $50 every month for DSL. Long
distance over regular phone lines is 3c/minute within US/Canada but only
with an MCI phone card. Overseas is anywhere north of 10c/minute if you
want the 'luxury' of a decent echo cancellation.


You don't *have* to shell out $50/month. My DSL is $30, but if I wanted
to I could get dialup for $5, or I could go to the local library and use
it for free. The added cost is for the convenience of having a fast
connection at home.