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4 edits | reply to wolfox
Re: Forgive my sarcasm but... On the contrary....I think they're just now actually starting to wise up a little bit after riding the BYOA and "walled garden" concept into the ground...while absolutely refusing to lower prices or make any common sense decisions.
Allowing access to e-mail via third party clients? Discount Netscape branded dial-up? Mozilla based browser and e-mail suite? A shift to HTML content? These are signs the subscriber losses are kicking some common sense into them.....
They'll all still be filled with spyware, bloat, and crap....but that's no different than MSN, Yahoo, Earthlink, or anyone else....
I've long thought they should just integrate AOL with Roadrunner, offering a new, unified service....retain a simplified software experience for AOL users who want it, and a more traditional service for more experienced users. Tie everything in nicely with the Time Warner Cable network (after buying Adelphia), offer lower prices than everyone else, and use the world's largest media empire to saturate the world with the new offering....
I mean seriously, it's not rocket science.  |
 wolfoxGentle Wolfox
join:2002-11-27
Dunnellon, FL | D'oh, not being rocket science is probably why I missed all of your points. However, there is still going to be that public image that they have built themselves into a corner with that they are going to have to fight. Myself and a few of my friends have had absolutely *terrible* experiences with AOL, even trying to get out of their "free trial" period.
They are going to have to present awfully good stuff to get people to shift from their "portals" that they already get with their services. (Not that the one I get through SBC/Yahoo! is any good to begin with - I like an unladened, raw connection, please?)
But one point that you present is going to remain a spot of contention for me. WHY re-brand and offer Dialup services? I realize that there is only just a 45% or so market penetration of broadband, so it is still a viable and attractive alternative for those that have-not. For me, being a broadband user - dialup is what I use when nothing else possibly could work! This includes humming the MacGuyver theme as I scan the horizon looking for any 802.11x I can latch onto with a home made dish. 
Now to play devil's advocate:
I'm with you on the Adelphia/RoadRunner idea. Pop in Netscape and sprinkle in support for 3rd party software, add a dash of "easy as 1,2,3" feel of AOL; fold in high-speed - slash the price off to a svelte and FLAT $35/month package which includes 3mb/300k HSI via cable... Shake -n- bake!
Damn, we might actually have the recipe for a winner on our hands!
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