Just Starting Out -- Suggestions???

Greetings, Mark:

We have corresponded from time to time, and we have followed RTA with great interest for three or so years now. We are preapring to go on the road in the Fall of 2001 (I FINALLY retire in August!), and between now and then will be making decisions about laptop, cell phone and plan, modem and ISP. Things seem to be changing rapidly, and it's tough to know what to do to prepare for this. If anyone were to start over right now, what would you do? We are inclined toward the AT&T (or is it Verizon) One-rate plan with a three-band phone to begin with, and we are longtime AOL users. Comments on this with whatever other thoughts readers have will be most appreciated.

Thanks for this great service!