It seems that this thread has gone a bit off-subject, so I stopped about half way through to put in my 2 cents about the actual question:

Have you experimented with using a WRT54G router from...

I think that all-in-all, it really comes down where you live and what services are available. I have used both cable and DSL in my area. The DSL, BTW, is always connected. I've never needed to use a...