After 34 years, AOL is hanging up. The age of patient internet is over. The era of instant everything rolls on. And somewhere, in the collective memory of the web, that beautiful, chaotic, unforgettable sound will keep echoing. It really is the end of an era.

AOL, a company once known as 'America Online,' is discontinuing its dial-up internet service after decades. Officials with Yahoo say very few customers were still using the service, as broadband connections have become the norm.