Battlefield 1942?

Rep for Answers.
So my friend is trying to get me into Battlefield 1942 to play online with him.
From the looks of it in reviews and trailers and images it seems pretty good.
I have a few questions;

Is that game easy/hard to learn to play?
How many people play it online? (Do YOU play it?)
Is it worth buying?
Much Lag?
Use much bandwidth (Online)?

He says he'll give me the Desert Combat expansions -
How many people play this online? (Do YOU play it?)

and any other comments about the game would help. It's pretty cheap so I'll probably buy it.

Is that game easy/hard to learn to play? I found it hard when i first started but i only played for like 2 minutes.. didn't know who was on my team :( (i played at a game shop)
How many people play it online? (Do YOU play it?) If i had it i would
Is it worth buying? Yeah, or try battlefield 2142 or 2
Much Lag? Dunno
Use much bandwidth (Online)? Dunno :(