I recommend using a genuine Hayes modem, they are the best. That's what I used years ago on my PC, Amiga, and Atari ST computers. Now I only use a cable modem. Personally, I do not allow people in my game rooms at Kali if they are still using 56K modems. A good 56K modem (like a Hayes) can only do up to 2.7 K per second. That is just too slow by todays standards. DSL can do about 35 to 65 K per second, which is a little better. But cable can average 150 to 500 K per second and go up to 10,000 KB per second. So my advice to you is to pay the $52.00 per month and hook up a cable modem. It is well worth it. I can't even handle dial-up anymore. It is too damn slow and my time is valuable. :-D
Oh, BTW.... did you know that Hayes invented the modem and has been making modems longer then anyone else, including US Robotics. If you are still using slow dial-up modems, instead of DSL or Cable, then get yourself a Hayes. They are THE BEST. US Robotics are also good modems, but are not the same high quality as Hayes modems. :-)