Don't forget dial up 56k modems... in 2004 ~50% of Americans were still using dial up. I don't recall when my folks got it. But I do remember playing on dial up, and having my parents pissed at me for tying up the phone line. I don't remember the date exactly, but we got DSL as soon as it was available in our area. I had been playing for a while though at that point. I definitely remember raiding MC and having shitty connection problems and disconnects, not only for myself, but for other guildies also.
- - - Updated - - -
I definitely agree that by a month, Classic will have shed the dead weight of people who don't belong there.