USB modems are given away with all standard DSL packages because they are dirt cheap, but pretty useless for anyone who isn't located 2 metres or more from their wall socket. I'd recommend you got yourself a gateway that contains a router and DSL modem built-in. The phoneline would go into the gateway and an ethernet cable would come from that into the network adapter of your computer. I am using a Netgear model after having a lot of trouble with Linksys stuff.
I have this one
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Rout...ys/WPN824.aspx but i'm sure there are much cheaper models available too.
How ya doing, buddy?