I would say that if you're the only one going to use the connection and you're worried about coming up with the extra cash each month, go with the cheaper one. Think of it this way: you'll be saving $120 a year just for an Internet connection. That's Christmas present money for next year. Or something.
But, you also need to look at installation costs. Those can be pretty steep. Like a $100 plus. Also be sure that you don't have to buy the modem. Most companies allow you to rent or lease a modem as part of the signup contract and monthly fees, you just have to use them for two years or you give them the modem back. Others make you purchase a modem up front. These can be very expensive, like $200, and since there is no standard, the modem is all but useless if you're not using that ISP.
DSL of course, doesn't mess with your phone line. As far as I know, ISDN doesn't either, but I think it may use a dedicated line using an RJ-45 jack instead of a phone cable. This might also raise cost if you have to pay for someone to come out and install the line.
Right now, I'm using ADSL through the local phone company, i.e. Bellsouth. It's actually a good connection. The incoming bandwidth is up to 1.5Mbs, which is a lot. I've gotten over 100kps download times a few times as well. This of course depends on the server you're downloading from. The line hasn't been down more than about once every two weeks. And that was usually late at night and it was back up the next day.
One word of advice. Do whatever you can to try and get an external modem that uses a networking card. They are generally much easier to install. They are also much easier to network with. Like, here at my house, I'm hoping to get an old computer and set it up with Linux to run as a firewall and router to use with three other computers we have here at the house. Also, Bellsouth includes the necessary dial up software for it to use with Linux as well, so it shouldn't be too bad.
Also, an external modem that connects to a networking card is also very easy to network using just normal hardware ethernet equipment like hubs and switches or those nifty new Cable/DSL routers. If you don't have more than one computer than its not something you need to worry about, though. But, it's there if you ever do get another computer.
Cable isn't available in my area yet. If I had the choice, I'm not sure I'd get it anyway because of the extra cost. DSL has only become available in my area in the last six months or so. I don't think ISDN was ever available. Just be sure you're looking at the total cost and not at just the monthly bills.
As for which ISP to go with, well, that has a lot to do with where you live. DSL still isn't available in some parts of the city here because you can't be more than a certain maximum distance away from the switching station. I know because one of my friends looked into it and he couldn't get it, even though he was in line of sight of the Bellsouth office, he was still too far from the switching station. There's other things, but you just have to find out what's available to you at your specific location, not just in your area. But you were talking about getting your connection from MSN and they are an ISP. So that's a little confusing I guess.
Well. I hope this helps.
Good luck in your search.
Ben Porter.
The local phone co. charges me 50$ month for the isdn line(it is digital 2 channel line, not analog like normal line) intall was free, and my local isp charges me 40$ month for a 2 channel connection. I have found that larger isp to be slower than a smaller local company with less traffic. Also...u can connect to an isp with a normal 56k account and still get at least 64000 bps connection and pay the cheaper isp fee. b/c isdn is digital it runs MUCH faster than 56k. U can use the telephone while being connected but u have to connect to a pot on isdn modem(remember that isdn is digital and regular phones will not work on that phone line unless they are connected to the pot/s on the modem.
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