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 RickPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT | A Monkey has Arrived!! LoL...I just love these AOL posts..because everyone of US that uses AOL becomes a Noob..an idiot..a fool...and a Monkey.
Well, guess what? The jokes on you.
Because for whatever reason, you're living back in the early 1990's when it comes to what AOL is.
AOL is dialup...and DSL..and guess what? They're even RoadRunner!
Yep..that 2000/384 service for 44.95 per month!
Now, how many of YOU have those speeds on YOUR broadband?
Not many, huh?
And certainly, not for that price.
Like a poster also said above...AOL really does have a helluva DSL package too.
For around 41.00 per month..you can get what many others
offer for 50.00 on up.
And, that includes the AOL service itself..something that
would cost an additional 14.95 on a Bring your own access plan if using another ISP.
So..their DSL really comes down to 41.00 and change
vs what would be 65.00 or more with another ISP.
And, with AOL DSL..it's a month to month contract..not a year long one as with many other DSL providers.
As for the service itself, while many like to portray it as something for "noobs"..this "noob" has alot of experience. And what AOL really is is about convenience
in many respects.
Instead of surfing all over the place..it's right there
and very easily accessible.
Their mail program really is nice and convenient and
personally, I'd much rather use AOL's IM capabilities
over AIM's anyday.
I've also been beta testing AOL 8.0, and they've done an
outstanding job with it in adding spam controls for mail..
and themes for the program itself.
And, this doesn't even address their proprietary content..
things like the special guests they have in chat rooms..
and the all around entertainment for an entire family.
Really, I think it's unfair the way people portray what AOL is today. Because in none of your comments do you ever talk about the above. It's one thing to critisize a service..but do it fairly based on what they are.
As far as Broadband vs dialup..in all honesty after using
2000k RR service since early 1998..I think there are many things it just really isn't necessary for.
If you're going to surf an average webpage that's not
very graphic intensive..or just check email or use
chat..I'm hard pressed to see any difference at all.
A good 56k modem service will load those pages just as
fast as BB will. Certainly, for things like heavy downloading, video etc..BB has it's place..but that just
isn't what everyone uses the net for.
I personally think AOL will find it's place in the BB mkt
with a somewhat lesser BB offering..something along the lines of 256k - 512k service.
That would give the speed that many people need for the
occasional downloads..while still keeping the price reasonable for the majority of consumers.
29.95 Broadband will sell in large numbers..and that's how
AOL will convert large numbers of users...while still offering faster speeds for those who want it..and those willing to pay for it.
I think AOL would be there today if the Bell's weren't
getting such a large part of that fee.
That's the challenge they need to overcome...how to take the price down, along with the speed of the service,
while still maintaining a decent level of profitability per sub.
But, for now..i really don't agree that they're not
pushing BB..It's advertised heavily on the AOL service,
and there's a wide variety for people to choose from.
And, all at prices that are arguably better than what most here are paying.
~RRR
--
The life you help save just might be your own Team Discovery | | |
|
 rchandraStargate Universe fanPremium
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105 | said by RoadRunner Rick:
LoL...I just love these AOL posts..because everyone of US that uses AOL becomes a Noob..an idiot..a fool...and a Monkey.
That's right. Friends don't let friends use AOL. But they don't necessarily become one...they may be one already.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
Well, guess what? The jokes on you.
Because for whatever reason, you're living back in the early 1990's when it comes to what AOL is.
Funny, I just saw it running on a computer (my sister's) a couple of months ago, so that wouldn't be early 1990's, that'd be mid 2002.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
AOL is dialup...and DSL..and guess what? They're even RoadRunner!
If "they" means "corporate entity," you're of course correct. That's not what we're talking about though. RR from what I know is much like any other cable BB offering.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
Yep..that 2000/384 service for 44.95 per month!
Now, how many of YOU have those speeds on YOUR broadband?
Not many, huh?
And certainly, not for that price.
Hmmmm...I'd hate to make a DIRECT comparison between intelligence and expression here, but I will just say I believe there's a strong correlation. I personally tend to want to write in complete sentences when posting publicly. Besides, how does speed or price correlate to that dumbed-down GUI that is what most people refer to as "AOL?"
said by RoadRunner Rick:
Like a poster also said above...AOL really does have a helluva DSL package too.
For around 41.00 per month..you can get what many others
offer for 50.00 on up.
And, that includes the AOL service itself..something that
would cost an additional 14.95 on a Bring your own access plan if using another ISP.
So..their DSL really comes down to 41.00 and change
vs what would be 65.00 or more with another ISP.
Finally, I will have to agree we have some signs of intelligence. Their pricing is extremely competitive. Certain privacy issues aside (of your traffic being routed through a huge media conglomerate, who would just LOVE to know what sites and pages you visit and how often, in my opinion), their DSL package is admittedly a great product at a very good price. If it were my only affordable DSL choice, I would probably subscribe to it. But as long as there are alternatives that are reasonably priced, I'd rather not.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
As for the service itself, while many like to portray it as something for "noobs"..this "noob" has alot of experience. And what AOL really is is about convenience
in many respects.
Instead of surfing all over the place..it's right there
and very easily accessible.
Many other people get by just fine with any of the numerous other portals around the Web...Hotbot, Yahoo!, Google (my personal favorite), Lycos, Dogpile, etc. Gee, instead of just simply stating in my ads "please visit our Web site at www.ups.com," I also have to add in "...or type in AOL keyword UPS." But wait a minute, not all merchants bother to register a keyword with AOL. Then the AOL-only user has to worry about, "now, was that a keyword I heard/saw in that ad, or was that the whole URL?" Boy, that's convenient. I'll take the choice offered by those other portals any day rather using the one that some company thought would be good for me.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
Their mail program really is nice and convenient
...so convenient, in fact, that AOL users have problems emailing me stuff and I have problems emailing stuff to them, whereas I don't have these problems when emailing ANYONE else. Unfortunately the whole world doesn't subscribe to AOL. If that were true, I'm sure I wouldn't have these problems (chiefly attachments).
said by RoadRunner Rick:
and
personally, I'd much rather use AOL's IM capabilities
over AIM's anyday.
OK, please explain that one. "AIM" is "AOL IM" (or expanded completely, "America OnLine Instant Messenger). So how can you much rather use one thing when it's the same as another thing? Besides...I could have sworn that when I'm using the AOL interface on my sister's machine it was almost exactly like using GAIM on my home machine. I must be missing something. I really didn't see anything different.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
I've also been beta testing AOL 8.0, and they've done an
outstanding job with it in adding spam controls for mail..
and themes for the program itself.
ho hum....there are many ways to control spam; by Web site, by service, by using a proxy, by running your own server with any combination of those (well, yeah, this last one is solely for those with lots of experience), but you've basically chosen to lock yourself into however AOL decides to do it.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
And, this doesn't even address their proprietary content..
things like the special guests they have in chat rooms..
and the all around entertainment for an entire family.
Now HERE'S where you have your best point. From what I've heard, they DO have some great content you just can't get anywhere else. It's just that for a lot of people, that content is not enough of a selling point to subscribe. But for others, it is.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
Really, I think it's unfair the way people portray what AOL is today. Because in none of your comments do you ever talk about the above. It's one thing to critisize a service..but do it fairly based on what they are.
Well, I guess that can't be said of me now because I've just talked about all that. You do indeed have a handful of good points, but in large measure, AOL users get the moniker they deserve.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
As far as Broadband vs dialup..in all honesty after using
2000k RR service since early 1998..I think there are many things it just really isn't necessary for.
If you're going to surf an average webpage that's not
very graphic intensive..or just check email or use
chat..I'm hard pressed to see any difference at all.
A good 56k modem service will load those pages just as
fast as BB will.
Certainly, for things like heavy downloading, video etc..BB has it's place..but that just
isn't what everyone uses the net for.
I'm sorry you're so deluded. I'm sorry you don't see the time difference for downloading, even in everyday usage. Just as the average disk and RAM requirements have gotten ever larger over the years (thus people get new systems to match), most Internet content has expanded to match bandwidth increases. Three cases in point:
- Whereas many emailers used to include only the best shot of a newborn because they knew it would take too long for people to see it, I've seen so many now where multiple pictures are sent.
- Before I had DSL, I was half using my computer, half looking at the TV when I saw the tail end of a movie ad, and I thought I heard one of my favorite bands doing music for it. I did catch the URL they had up there, but when I went to the site, I had to wait through 7 minutes of a Flash presentation download over dialup before I could even look at the credits page. They just assumed I was on a better connection, because they didn't have a "skip this" button.
- Everyone who has MS products to maintain should be visiting windowsupdate et.al. frequently. The vast majority of these would be deemed rather LARGE by most people. Couple that with the fact that often you'll have more than a couple per session, and you're talking serious online time just to get these VERY NECESSARY patches. I won't waste my time with AOL dialup on my mom's computer any more. Wherever possible, I will download them via DSL, write a CD-R, and take it over there. It's just simply not worth the effort of needing to download patches a couple or three times before getting them intact.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
But, for now..i really don't agree that they're not
pushing BB..It's advertised heavily on the AOL service,
and there's a wide variety for people to choose from.
Just as you say we're not looking into AOL, it sounds like you're boxed in by AOL. How about promoting AOL Plus in other media? I've heard and seen lots more ads for other BB services, but very few for other than AOL dialup.
--
English is a difficult enough language to interpret correctly when its rules are followed, let alone when a writer chooses not to follow those rules. | |
RickPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT
| "Funny, I just saw it running on a computer (my sister's) a couple of months ago, so that wouldn't be early 1990's, that'd be mid 2002."
Does that make your Sister a monkey too?
"If "they" means "corporate entity," you're of course correct. That's not what we're talking about though."
We're not? Well, I guess using your rationale, that makes
McDonald's just a company that sells French Frys then.
"Hmmmm...I'd hate to make a DIRECT comparison between intelligence and expression here, but I will just say I believe there's a strong correlation. I personally tend to want to write in complete sentences when posting publicly."
While you may WANT to write in complete sentences, after reviewing a couple of your other posts, I think you may have missed the mark at times.
Does this then directly reflect your intelligence?
"Besides, how does speed or price correlate to that dumbed-down GUI that is what most people refer to as "AOL?"
What? Speed and price don't matter? Or, is it that you just don't care to discuss AOL's 2000/384 k service for 44.95 vs your Verizon service??
I thought that's what it might really be. 
"RR from what I know is much like any other cable BB offering"
Well, No..not really. AOL's RR offers better DL speeds than most for the same money, and substantially higher UL speeds as well. And, AOL's only cable offering isn't just
RR..it is AOL High Speed Cable as well.
If you had done your homework, you should have known that.
I guess you didn't though.
"Their pricing is extremely competitive."
Finally! We are getting somewhere.
"their DSL package is admittedly a great product at a very good price."
My my my!! You're really progressing nicely!!
So, what you're now saying is AOL isn't just Dialup?
It's also DSL at a very good price and a great product.
So, what we have is you knowing all about their dial up service.
You admitting AOL DSL is a great product at a very good price.
You acknowleging that they do in fact own RR, "But it's a seperate corporate entity"..(As if that really matters to AOL Shareholders..but..Oh Well!! )
And, you not knowing that they have their own AOL High Speed cable service as well.
Sounds to me like you've agreed with everything I had to say!
I'll say again...time and time again all people do is single out AOL as being some dialup service used by newbies, idiots, and monkeys with some bloatware gui interface. AOL, is much more than just a dialup service company today. It is all the things I note above, and more.
Earthlink cable service is ran thru AOL just to mention another thing. Frankly, I think that AOL's 30 + million customers get tired of high and mighty attitudes such as yours...especially those using other parts of their service such as AOL High Speed cable, DSL, and RoadRunner.
You do not have a monopoly on internet knowledge, and what's best for me, or for millions of others.
It's one thing to express an opinion, and even to say that
AOL dialup in the past had it's problems, but to reflect
that as being all that AOL is today is highly unfair..both to their customers, and to the company itself.
~RRR
[text was edited by author 2002-09-14 20:02:04] | |
 alex4lifeAlex4lifePremium
join:2001-06-22
Delta, BC
| reply to Rick
I would never use AOL simply because of the crappy, ad-filled software you have to use.
Despite your belief that AOL isn't just Dial-up, I think it mostly is. Most of it's customers are Dial-Up users who don't know that everything you can get on AOL, you can get elsewhere, and for CHEAPER (Dial-up, anyways).
[text was edited by author 2002-09-14 21:37:36] | |
rchandraStargate Universe fanPremium
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105 | reply to Rick
said by RoadRunner Rick:
"Funny, I just saw it running on a computer (my sister's) a couple of months ago, so that wouldn't be early 1990's, that'd be mid 2002."
Does that make your Sister a monkey too?
Unfortunately, yes. Oh, well. One was "...but I got a year free with my computer." Another was "...but they gave me a year free with my satellite TV subscription." It doesn't mean I didn't prefer them to use other providers, it just means that I couldn't compete with "free" as far as influence in choice.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
"If "they" means "corporate entity," you're of course correct. That's not what we're talking about though."
We're not? Well, I guess using your rationale, that makes
McDonald's just a company that sells French Frys then.
...if I only knew what "French Frys" were. I know what "French fries" are though. It's also funny how the BBR Web site warned me in the preview that it didn't think "Frys" was a word by making it red.
But seriously, do you know a whole lot of people that when you say/write "AOL" that would tell you anything about cable? I don't. You say that, and the vast majority will think of the dialup product.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
"Hmmmm...I'd hate to make a DIRECT comparison between intelligence and expression here, but I will just say I believe there's a strong correlation. I personally tend to want to write in complete sentences when posting publicly."
While you may WANT to write in complete sentences, after reviewing a couple of your other posts, I think you may have missed the mark at times.
I certainly have. I can only say to me it's a matter of percentages.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
Does this then directly reflect your intelligence?
For the most part, yes it does. I do occasionally get all kinds of goofy though.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
"Besides, how does speed or price correlate to that dumbed-down GUI that is what most people refer to as "AOL?"
What? Speed and price don't matter? Or, is it that you just don't care to discuss AOL's 2000/384 k service for 44.95 vs your Verizon service??
I thought that's what it might really be.
Again, it's a matter of focus. You say "AOL" and the vast majority of people think of the dialup product. RELATIVELY few people have heard of AOL Plus, and that's clearly AOL. Still a LOT fewer people have thought of Road Runner as AOL service, but of course when we realize that RR is run by Time Warner cable, and it's now AOLTW, it could (should?) be called AOL. And of course speed and price matter.
I can say I'm quite satisfied with Verizon's service. It's not wholly an accurate comparison though, because you know the technology is fundamentally different, in that you must share the bandwith with those in your neighborhood, whereas DSL subscribers get discrete lines to the backhaul. I personally think it's worth the extra $15/month for the service I get in comparison to cable here.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
"RR from what I know is much like any other cable BB offering"
Well, No..not really. AOL's RR offers better DL speeds than most for the same money, and substantially higher UL speeds as well. And, AOL's only cable offering isn't just
RR..it is AOL High Speed Cable as well.
If you had done your homework, you should have known that.
I guess you didn't though.
Ah, but we see that my words may be fine, or they may be worth nothing. That's what the caveat "from what I know" is all about. Yet I can't help but recall that my friends get about 3.25Mbps down and 128Kbps up. So, I'd say that's similar. Yes, it's 1/3 the upstream, but it's better downstream. The problem lies in the stability of that speed. They consistently droop evenings where mine is fairly consistently the same speed.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
"Their pricing is extremely competitive."
Finally! We are getting somewhere.
"their DSL package is admittedly a great product at a very good price."
My my my!! You're really progressing nicely!!
So, what you're now saying is AOL isn't just Dialup?
It's also DSL at a very good price and a great product.
So, what we have is you knowing all about their dial up service.
That's hardly the case. I'm afraid you're the one ascribing total knowledge of AOL to me, not myself.
I just can't shake that feeling of being watched though, which is why I pointed out that overall, I would not choose them. If they were offering DSL or cable modem service for $45/mo., and their nearest competitor were $100/mo., I would say I'd put up with it. But as it stands, there are other competitors (ToadNet, Earthlink, Verizon) in my area offering decent service for fairly reasonable price, so I wouldn't choose either AOL dialup or AOL Plus (probably not RR or AOL Internet cable either).
said by RoadRunner Rick:
You admitting AOL DSL is a great product at a very good price.
You acknowleging that they do in fact own RR, "But it's a seperate corporate entity"..(As if that really matters to AOL Shareholders..but..Oh Well!! )
And, you not knowing that they have their own AOL High Speed cable service as well.
Sounds to me like you've agreed with everything I had to say!
Those who have read carefully will note that yes, AOL has some good points. That was meant to TRY to show some measure of objectivity, rather than simply say the whole lot sucks badly. However, if you would like to agree that AOLers deserve that lus3r moniker they generally have, by all means, we agree totally. But it seems as if you may have missed that part. They do. That other poster who alluded to that lus3r who wanted the screen name on the Exchange server typifies AOL users. Of course, that doesn't mean they're all like that; the key word is "typify."
BTW...That's a nice touch not using the <blockquote> or [ quote= ] tags to make my comments and your comments look more similar so that it looks like we are in agreement.
said by RoadRunner Rick:
Thanks..and have a very nice day.!!
~RRR
You're helping greatly.
--
English is a difficult enough language to interpret correctly when its rules are followed, let alone when a writer chooses not to follow those rules. | |
RickPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT
| "It doesn't mean I didn't prefer them to use other providers, it just means that I couldn't compete with "free" as far as influence in choice."
And what do your Sisters think about you attempting to run their lives for them?
"if I only knew what "French Frys" were. I know what "French fries" are though"
Very Good!! You passed the little test I thru in there for you.
"But seriously, do you know a whole lot of people that when you say/write "AOL" that would tell you anything about cable? I don't."
Yes! I do! Do you notice how long I've been on this site,
and how many posts I have?
I'll bet if you stopped over in the RR forum, EVERY Single person who has posted there for months would know that.
Hundreds of them just on this site alone, not to mention
the Millions of RR users Nationwide.
Now, the fact that you didn't know really does prove my point. You're simply not qualified to speak for everyone.
"I do occasionally get all kinds of goofy though."
I've noticed.
"RELATIVELY few people have heard of AOL Plus, and that's clearly AOL."
Relatively few? I guess if you would have been on the AOL service at all the last year, you would have noticed on the WELCOME screen, greeting all Thirty MILLION AOL users,
AOL has heavily advertised their AOL Plus service.
Is it now your position that all those people are not only newbies, idiots, and monkeys..but that they're also blind?
"but of course when we realize that RR is run by Time Warner cable, and it's now AOLTW, it could (should?) be called AOL."
I'm glad I helped you finally realize this.
"I can say I'm quite satisfied with Verizon's service"
That's good to hear. Apparently you're in the minority though because Verizon is the second worst rated service here at DSLR in the reviews section of the site, and is rated even below AOL, and far below RR.
If you'd like some assistance in finding this review section..feel free to ask. I'll be more than happy to help you find it.
"It's not wholly an accurate comparison though, because you know the technology is fundamentally different, in that you must share the bandwith with those in your neighborhood, whereas DSL subscribers get discrete lines to the backhaul. I personally think it's worth the extra $15/month for the service I get in comparison to cable here."
So, let me get this straight now. You believe it's worth 15.00 more per month to get 1/3rd the speed?
90% + of every RR user i've seen post here on DSLR..and that's hundreds of them, average about 1900-2000k DL and 370+ UL.
I'm really sorry to say it, but I'm beginning to see why your Sisters don't think much of your advice. 
"They consistently droop evenings where mine is fairly consistently the same speed."
Sipping a little wine this evening while typing that sentence out?
Your HS English teacher would be very disappointed in you.
"That's hardly the case. I'm afraid you're the one ascribing total knowledge of AOL to me, not myself."
Well, I really can't claim to have total knowledge.
But, after having used their service for years now,
both dialup, bring your own access, and having had RR
since March 1998, as well as over 2000 posts on this
site since early last year, and a frequent visitor to
the RR forum, not to mention the stock I own in AOL/TW,
and the quarterly and annual reports I read, I'd say
I'm a bit more briefed on the topic than you are.
And now, would you like a French Fry?
[text was edited by author 2002-09-14 23:15:45] | |
 MarkyDPremium
join:2002-08-20
Oklahoma City, OK | reply to alex4life
"I would never use AOL simply because of the crappy, ad-filled software you have to use. "
Well General Gunk, any idiot can figure out that those pop ups can be turned off by going to KW: Marketing Preferences. In fact, my 12 year old brother figured that out.
As for all the rest of you who swear that AOL is Satan...34 million members disagree. Yes, 34 million is the number now. As for AOL Plus...
I agree it should be pushed OUTSIDE of the aol service. Get it advertized on TV. They are NOT off to a bad start though, with 2.5 million people already on Broadband.
Now for the speed debate: I get 1500 down STEADY, 128 up. That's not too bad for a service that only costs 19.95 on top of my AOL membership.
Not to mention, AOL's email is truly superior. You people knock it, saying that HTML links don't work. Fact is, 8.0 works great with HTML E-Mail and links. Plus, AOL's E-Mail client is going to protect you against viruses that are embedded in the body of an E-Mail...that's more than you can say for your "outlook express." If you even open an E-Mail that is infected in Outlook, you're screwed. Not the case with AOL.
Sure, there's room for improvement on AOL. The simple truth is, however, it's a better service than most out there when you put the Broadband in the picture. | |
 KoolMoeAw ManPremium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD | reply to rchandra
You get Toad's internet service in BUFFALO?
Wow, they've expanded a lot further out than I thought! Must have linked up with some Nat'l provider, eh? Cause can't see them running their own network out that far. ToadNet gunning for SpeakEasy status?
Groovy,
KM | |
rchandraStargate Universe fanPremium
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105 | I have Verizon service, but ToadNet had sent me an email saying they had prequalified my other line and wanting me to sign up. Unfortunately for them, I was just about to say, "do it," until I found they wanted ~ $90 for 1.5M/128K. It may have been worth + $5/mo. for the entry level, but to me it isn't worth any + $30/mo. for the speed I want.
--
English is a difficult enough language to interpret correctly when its rules are followed, let alone when a writer chooses not to follow those rules. | |
RickPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT | said by rchandra:
Unfortunately for them, I was just about to say, "do it," until I found they wanted ~ $90 for 1.5M/128K. It may have been worth + $5/mo. for the entry level, but to me it isn't worth any + $30/mo. for the speed I want.
Well, I guess you could always consider AOL'S High speed cable, that newbie..idiotic..monkey kind of company that would deliver to you 2000/384 speeds for 44.95 per month
which would be half that price per month and would deliver to you almost 3X what you are now getting for 15.00 less per month.
I DO realize however that then you'd be a chimp yourself, on display here at DSLR...but, it's really not that bad.
You get bananas given to you too. 
--
The life you help save just might be your own Team Discovery | |
rchandraStargate Universe fanPremium
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105 | reply to MarkyD
See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. People (obviously other than RRR) have something substantive to add to the debate.
Incidentally, the "this is flamebait"-o-meter was pegged by RRR's big stretch that my desire to influence by siblings' lives amounted to running their lives. If one loves their siblings/family, of course one tries to steer them away from what one thinks is bad and towards what one thinks is better. This in no way constitutes running someone's life, it is desiring them to suffer less and enjoy life more. At the risk of ignorance, I decided it was not worth my time to read much further in that post.
I didn't know that there was any virus screening by AOL's system. That's a definite plus. And this is appropriate for a large number of people because they're usually unaware that they need to do it, and they're not adept enough at computing systems to set that up themselves. However, since it's my profession, I wouldn't choose AOL myself because I just want contorl over what happens with my mail. I don't want to take the chance that there's some pattern of data in my mail that is the same as some worm's signature. Similarly, I may just be mailing a virus I had received to a colleague for analysis. My "antivirus" is running GNU/Linux. This in no way diminishes the fact that this is very beneficial for a large number of people; AOL in that sense is still a valuable service.
The HTML stuff is the least of my worries though. AOLers that tried to send me pictures couldn't do it (or maybe it's been fixed by now, I don't know, they haven't tried in a while). The problem there lies in there's no easy alternative. I don't think (correct me if I'm wrong) that if I wanted to use Pegasus or Eudora as my MUA so that the picture attachments weren't fiddled with, I can't do that because all the email is embedded within the integrated AOL client. Maybe they have the more traditional POP and SMTP servers available, but I don't know about them.
As for the millions who are subscribers...it doesn't say anything about how they would characterize the company (Satan or saintly). All it says is that AOL was the path of least resistance. A large segment of people settle for "good enough" and don't strive to seek better than what works minimally. That's fine. They have better things to do with their time than compute (ummmm....camp, ski, boat, woodwork, garden, home improve, just to name a few), and computing is just an enhancement to their lives. Numbers of subscribers in that sense don't necessarily mean much. It's VolksInternet.
--
English is a difficult enough language to interpret correctly when its rules are followed, let alone when a writer chooses not to follow those rules. | |
RickPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT | said by rchandra:
See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. People (obviously other than RRR) have something substantive to add to the debate.
Incidentally, the "this is flamebait"-o-meter was pegged by RRR's big stretch that my desire to influence by siblings' lives amounted to running their lives. If one loves their siblings/family, of course one tries to steer them away from what one thinks is bad and towards what one thinks is better.
Other than RRR? I beg to differ. I believe in looking over this entire thread that I was the first to accurately present a picture of what AOL is today, which is dialup,
and DSL, and Cable broadband, via RR, and AOL High Speed Cable, and Earthlink as well.
I also have yet to see anyone present a service which delivers more speed for less money either..(OOL would be the exception of course)..and certainly not your Verizon service, which delivers approx 1/3rd the speed at 15.00 more per month..and is the 2nd from the bottom in terms
of overall reviews here at DSLR.
I also presented the rationale for why many people tend to
use AOL's dialup service. Because they simply don't want,
or need more. For checking email, chat, and general websurfing it really isn't needed. And, people simply don't
see the need, or the value in paying 20 to 40.00 more per month for something they really don't need.
AOL has also been around for many years. People have long established email addresses with them, and their circle of
friends on the service. And, AOL's interface really does offer more convenience IMO. News, email..chat..it's all right there at the click of a button.
Rchandra, with all due respect, I have heard nothing from you to really counteract any of those facts.
What you, and others do is simply present this service, company, and their customers in a totally different light...without any regard to the facts.
You speak of my flaming in your post. Well, you flame
the intelligence of 30+ million AOL customers.
And, i'll remind you..it was you who first replied to my post with flames..when I simply was presenting the full
and complete picture of what this company is really all about.
I am beta testing AOL 8.0. I also strongly disagree that it is bloatware. In Windows XP task manager, it is showing
a total of about 8 MB of ram being used.
This again is an absolute distortion of the facts of what
AOL software is today.
I really don't mind a debate over a service, but if it's going to be debated here in such an unfair and inaccurate fashion, then that really goes to show that people are either seriously misinformed and have no real knowledge of the issue, or they simply choose to distort the facts.
~RRR
--
The life you help save just might be your own Team Discovery | |
KoolMoeAw ManPremium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD | So is AOL 8 going to use Mozilla/Netscape, or are they sticking with IE? Do tell! So very lame for AOL to not use their own browser. I use Mozilla daily and it's just dandy! I would suspect, however, that a large reason for not using Moz/NN is due to the lack of ActiveX support. Plugin installation is safer, but less convenient for most users w/out Ax ability.
KM | |
| said by KoolMoe:
So is AOL 8 going to use Mozilla/Netscape, or are they sticking with IE? KM
They are using Netscape Gecko. Why not? It's a great browser and heck, AOL OWNS Netscape.
Not to mention the fact that AOL and Microsoft are NOT on good terms.
The Gecko browser in AOL 8 is definitely the best yet. I enjoy using it a LOT more than Explorer.
If any of you AOL HATERS have not seen my review of AOL's DSL, you should check it out. It's still on the front page. If any of you are getting the kind of speed that I am from ADSL for $44 a month, I'll stick my foot up my butt sideways. (Cable subscribers need not apply, considering it can be MUCH faster in some cases)
Here's my most recent speed test for AOL DSL, done just minutes ago:
2002-09-16 14:32:30 EST: 1531 / 93
Your download speed : 1531152 bps, or 1531 kbps.
A 186.9 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 93764 bps, or 93 kbps.
Seems like broadband .. above the 1mbit barrier! | |
RickPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT | said by MarkyD:
2002-09-16 14:32:30 EST: 1531 / 93
Your download speed : 1531152 bps, or 1531 kbps.
A 186.9 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 93764 bps, or 93 kbps.
Seems like broadband .. above the 1mbit barrier!
I'll close out my comments on this thread by saying
I REALLY think many people on this site should reconsider
their thoughts and comments about what AOL is today.
AOL IS what you have posted above...and, they are 2000/384k
Cable Service as well.
And, they are also satellite service..and Yes..dialup
as well.
AOL has spent a HUGE amount of money upgrading their network over the last few years. I think their ATDN.net
arguably is one of the most advanced backbones in this country because of that. AOL customers in every form, including RoadRunner..use it. And, even companies such as Earthlink use it as well.
The DSL Speeds noted above by MarkyD are available to customers for as low as 41-42.00 per month..making it from what I know anyway..the LOWEST priced DSL around.
For anyone else to get that same thing..they'd be paying
49.9-59.99 per month PLUS a 15.00 AOL bring your own access plan...which would put that alternative in the 65-75.00 per month range.
AOL Cable..via RoadRunner, AOL..or Earthlink runs 42-45.00 per month in most areas..again, for 2000/384k service...
making THAT arguably at the very low end of the spectrum
as far as BB providers go.
And, their dialup service is available at 19.95 per month
thru 23.90 per month..depending on what plan people choose...which certainly prices them competitively with
most other National Unlimited Dialup providers.
They offer a full featured program..containing everything
an entire family could want. With many protections for
younger family members as well that let their accounts have limited access.
I also have to say in using AOL 8.0..it is one very nice
program..customizable with themes..and it certainly is streamlined to not be bloatware..as some refer to it.
What's not to like here? In my estimation..there is something for everyone, all at a very reasonable price
and even arguably the best prices around right now.
I'm sorry, but those commenting negatively on the service..either don't have it..or haven't used it for years. Just as with everything..things grow and mature over time..and AOL IMO has done just that.
This site should be about helping educate people visiting here. Hopefully, i've done a little bit of that.
Have a nice day.
~RRR
--
The life you help save just might be your own Team Discovery | |
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