AOL: Love It or Hate IT? New: MS Love it or Hate IT?

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ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
Originally posted by: Amaroque
Googer: That is completely assinine to ban Americas largest ISP because of one troll. :confused: I could do the same thing with any given ISP. That Anandtech Moderator's reply is totally unacceptable.
I read that it was because they tried to get AOL to do something about the troll(s) (I thought there were more than one), and they refused to take action on the abuse reports. While I've occasionally regretted their decision while visiting relatives who have AOL, I would tend to sympathize with the Mods if indeed the decision was made due to negligence or willful ignorance on AOL's part.
 

MechJinx

Senior member
Mar 22, 2004
421
0
0
*>AOL

The amount of software installed for AOL to function is ridiculous. And, as for uninstalling it? HAH! Might as well format and re-install the OS. AOL installs way too much software for a web browser, has no decent uninstall process, and costs way too much for the pain and suffering it inflicts upon those of us who are called to support family and friends who have been suckered in by AO'HE**'. The designers and programmers behind AOL need to be shot ;)
 

krcat1

Senior member
Jan 20, 2005
551
0
0
I had AOL between 98 to 01. As long as didn't use it for anything more than an ISP, it was OK.
The only real problem was sometimes I could only connect at 32K, instead of 53K.
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
6
81
Originally posted by: J Heartless Slick
I used it 11-12 years ago. It was not the real internet back then. It was expensive. And the system did not have the capacity to provide service to all its customers so it was prone to kicking people off during peak times.

It was one of the first ISP that approached having a mainstream audience.

Some people try to establish status by putting AOL users down but that is their personal problem..

I remember using it back then, certain time of the day were always faster than others. You were almost always guaranteed that from 1am to 6 or 8am to have a fast connection but any time after 6pm to 11pm the connection was slightly slower. The hours in between were just average.
 

xospec1alk

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
4,329
0
0
Originally posted by: MechJinx
*>AOL

The amount of software installed for AOL to function is ridiculous. And, as for uninstalling it? HAH! Might as well format and re-install the OS. AOL installs way too much software for a web browser, has no decent uninstall process, and costs way too much for the pain and suffering it inflicts upon those of us who are called to support family and friends who have been suckered in by AO'HE**'. The designers and programmers behind AOL need to be shot ;)

point is, its nots JUST a web browser...and people who expect that are completely retarded. it has features that no other isp supports, chat rooms, im, them damn "channels" blah blah blah....
 

BriGy86

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2004
4,537
1
91
Originally posted by: Terumo
Originally posted by: BriGy86
also, it seems to be the service of choice for the stupidest people on the net

Everyone was and are stupid on the net, even those who are l33t types.

AOL as an ISP is usually the first ISP for new users and it serves it's purpose. Everyone has to learn how to run a computer and learn about the 'net life, and throwing them into a den of wolves at first isn't appropriate when all of us came online with training wheels too.

When I finished high school, computers were just getting into a few math labs (like 3 for the entire school of 2000 students). So there's many generations of folks who never grew up with them and need extra help. It's unlike the 15 year-olds now who should be proficient in computing by the time they graduate to choose whatever ISP they want. Auntie and grandma will need AOL and Earthlink, just like these l33t types needed diapers too.

i don't know if earth link and AOL are related but earth link was our 1st ISP and it was fine, when i dialed up i didn't have to have a damn window open that filled with popups and useless "tools" the ENTIRE time i was online.

and as for the new users of the internet, my dad is the MOST technicaly challanged person i know, if he had to open up AOL he would flip out in a pissed off rage cause he would be confused behond belief as to why there are so many damn buttons on the screen
 

xospec1alk

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
4,329
0
0
Originally posted by: BriGy86

i don't know if earth link and AOL are related but earth link was our 1st ISP and it was fine, when i dialed up i didn't have to have a damn window open that filled with popups and useless "tools" the ENTIRE time i was online.

and as for the new users of the internet, my dad is the MOST technicaly challanged person i know, if he had to open up AOL he would flip out in a pissed off rage cause he would be confused behond belief as to why there are so many damn buttons on the screen

Everyone had to start somewhere, I started with AOL, and I used those useless tools...

People are forgetting the fact that AOL is not merely an ISP, its like a content provider...just like yahoo isn't just a search engine, its a freaking portal. Thats what it was meant to be in the first place, AOL that is...it was never meant to be JUST an isp...
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
6
81
Originally posted by: xospec1alk
Originally posted by: BriGy86

i don't know if earth link and AOL are related but earth link was our 1st ISP and it was fine, when i dialed up i didn't have to have a damn window open that filled with popups and useless "tools" the ENTIRE time i was online.

and as for the new users of the internet, my dad is the MOST technicaly challanged person i know, if he had to open up AOL he would flip out in a pissed off rage cause he would be confused behond belief as to why there are so many damn buttons on the screen

Everyone had to start somewhere, I started with AOL, and I used those useless tools...

People are forgetting the fact that AOL is not merely an ISP, its like a content provider...just like yahoo isn't just a search engine, its a freaking portal. Thats what it was meant to be in the first place, AOL that is...it was never meant to be JUST an isp...


No, Earthlink and AOL are un-related. They are rivals with differant stocks and are targeting each other with their marketing campaingns.

As for AoL not being an ISP, I cannot see it that way; Because I can log on to AoL and go to any website on the internet and read or watch what I want just like I could with Earthlink, Verizon, or Roadrunner. The only real differance is AoL provides aditional content that no other ISP provides.
 

xospec1alk

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
4,329
0
0
Originally posted by: Googer
No, Earthlink and AOL are un-related. They are rivals with differant stocks and are targeting each other with their marketing campaingns.

As for AoL not being an ISP, I cannot see it that way; Because I can log on to AoL and go to any website on the internet and read or watch what I want just like I could with Earthlink, Verizon, or Roadrunner. The only real differance is AoL provides aditional content that no other ISP provides.

im not saying its NOT an isp, im saying its not JUST an isp... you're paying for the content as well as the connection to the intarweb
 

hondAS2ooo170

Senior member
Aug 12, 2004
451
0
0
i have used aol i dont like the idea of the aol browser. the browser is the pain in my a$$. this is because some time sites have ads, and they put the ads on the way bottom of the browser. also i dont like the idea that is u close there browser u get diconnected. how gay is that i had the problem of always closing the browser. anther thing is that it is overpriced. man i can get dial up 25x cheaper.
 

Terumo

Banned
Jan 23, 2005
575
0
0
Originally posted by: ProviaFan
Originally posted by: Amaroque
Googer: That is completely assinine to ban Americas largest ISP because of one troll. :confused: I could do the same thing with any given ISP. That Anandtech Moderator's reply is totally unacceptable.
I read that it was because they tried to get AOL to do something about the troll(s) (I thought there were more than one), and they refused to take action on the abuse reports. While I've occasionally regretted their decision while visiting relatives who have AOL, I would tend to sympathize with the Mods if indeed the decision was made due to negligence or willful ignorance on AOL's part.

Thing is AOL can be pretty good at closing accounts of trolls and spammers. Why AT couldn't get the account pulled is a mystery, when anyone can look up how accounts were pulled from newsgroup spammers. A business site would have more clout than a few individuals on a newsgroup.

And Amaroque is correct that any ISP can be used to troll or spam from. Eliminating AOL just allows the troll/spammer to use another ISP or OCP. Meanwhile those who are legit users from AOL can't use the forum at all, which is a large chunk of internet users. It's like cutting of the nose to spite one's face. :/
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
11
81
AOL is not NEAR as bad as it used to be. I know because my parents refused to ever use anything else, and I had it from 8-12 grade in high school. It was TERRIBLE back in the day when it got its reputation: slow, constantly busy, kicked me off alot. Lately the service is excellent, but its really not worth the price.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
never used it, but i find it annoying how when you install some programs, you get AOL crap all over your PC without ever giving it permission.

that alone makes me hate that crap!
 

JonnyBlaze

Diamond Member
May 24, 2001
3,114
1
0
i used to have it back in the 3.0 days. iv used it a few times since and i couldnt live without broadband, id get byoa accounts if i had the money to waste.

what ever happened to prodigy???

JB
 

TechnoPro

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2003
1,727
0
76
Originally posted by: Googer
Here is the definition of ISP from webopedia.com

ISP
Last modified: Friday, March 12, 2004

Short for Internet Service Provider, a company that provides access to the Internet. For a monthly fee, the service provider gives you a software package, username, password and access phone number. Equipped with a modem, you can then log on to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web and USENET, and send and receive e-mail.

In addition to serving individuals, ISPs also serve large companies, providing a direct connection from the company's networks to the Internet. ISPs themselves are connected to one another through Network Access Points (NAPs).

ISPs are also called IAPs (Internet Access Providers).
http://webopedia.com/TERM/I/ISP.html

AOL and The others you discredited fit this description.

Most ISPs, whether residential or commercial, do not REQUIRE the installation of software for internet connectivity. They may provide software and recomend its installation, they may only grant support if the support is installed, but it is typically not REQUIRED.

I will quote myself here: "AOL is an ISP based on my quick lookup of the definition of the word. "

Sure it fits the dictionary definition; no arguments from me there. (I actually looked it up at the very site you are citing). But it remains unique with its inherent limitations.
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
6
81
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Originally posted by: Googer
Here is the definition of ISP from webopedia.com

ISP
Last modified: Friday, March 12, 2004

Short for Internet Service Provider, a company that provides access to the Internet. For a monthly fee, the service provider gives you a software package, username, password and access phone number. Equipped with a modem, you can then log on to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web and USENET, and send and receive e-mail.

In addition to serving individuals, ISPs also serve large companies, providing a direct connection from the company's networks to the Internet. ISPs themselves are connected to one another through Network Access Points (NAPs).

ISPs are also called IAPs (Internet Access Providers).
http://webopedia.com/TERM/I/ISP.html

AOL and The others you discredited fit this description.

Most ISPs, whether residential or commercial, do not REQUIRE the installation of software for internet connectivity. They may provide software and recomend its installation, they may only grant support if the support is installed, but it is typically not REQUIRED.

I will quote myself here: "AOL is an ISP based on my quick lookup of the definition of the word. "

Sure it fits the dictionary definition; no arguments from me there. (I actually looked it up at the very site you are citing). But it remains unique with its inherent limitations.


Ok, what are those unique inherent limitations?

When you connect to AoL you are connecting to a private network that allows for acces to the internet. It is not much differant than dialing up a corporate server and getting on the net through their connection.
 

Sephy

Platinum Member
Dec 21, 1999
2,035
0
0
Bloatware, tons of spam, and the crappy, uninformed internet users it spawns.
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
6
81
Originally posted by: Sephy
Bloatware, tons of spam, and the crappy, uninformed internet users it spawns.

Hardly are all the 20 million people that use aol ignorant and uninformed. Some maybe but not all and AoL is not the reason for it. As for spam AoL does a pretty good job of filtering it and taking spammers to court.
 

Terumo

Banned
Jan 23, 2005
575
0
0
Originally posted by: Googer
Originally posted by: Sephy
Bloatware, tons of spam, and the crappy, uninformed internet users it spawns.

Hardly are all the 20 million people that use aol ignorant and uninformed. Some maybe but not all and AoL is not the reason for it. As for spam AoL does a pretty good job of filtering it and taking spammers to court.

lololol

So good that web host have to sue AOL to get email from their servers through AOL's spam software, because some jackoff spammer got onto the host's server and AOL blocked the entire Class C range of the web host. AOL is finally getting serious about spam, so much so I have to check the spam folder daily because legit mail sometimes gets flagged as spam. It's wonderful to open up the mailbox and not get loaded down with "penis enhancers" and XXX invites. Anything with generic post titles is blocked out, sent to the spam folder where it can die. :)

And the RSA key on top of it all, makes it one of the most secure ISP/OCP logins available.

Now just get that "real ISP" Comcrap to do the same (no RSA key and much fewer spam tools).
 

CrowBarr

Senior member
Nov 27, 2003
867
0
76
IMHO, AOL is pure bloatware. It worms itself deep into any system it is installed on and is difficult to remove. They are too expensive for what they offer (AOL high speed...web caching bull****). Yes...they were pioneers. But so were CompuServe and Prodigy. Who cares. Eventually you pass on the torch before your arm catches fire. AOL needs to figure that out. Probably the best thing that they could do right now would be to start making all that software they stuff our mailboxes with on CDRW...so that I'll actually have a use for it.
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
6
81
Originally posted by: CrowBarr
IMHO, AOL is pure bloatware. It worms itself deep into any system it is installed on and is difficult to remove. They are too expensive for what they offer (AOL high speed...web caching bull****). Yes...they were pioneers. But so were CompuServe and Prodigy. Who cares. Eventually you pass on the torch before your arm catches fire. AOL needs to figure that out. Probably the best thing that they could do right now would be to start making all that software they stuff our mailboxes with on CDRW...so that I'll actually have a use for it.

Generaly Speaking here and this goes to all who say AoL is bloated. Shouldn't we be saying this about Microsoft Windows and especially XP after Service Pack 2. Havent you noticed that as MS continues to update the os that more and more critical services are being added. The latest one that pissed me off is we now are required to have a 3mb service in order for our sound cards to work. What a load of BS. Soundcards have worked fine before XP SP2 and disableing it (click start > run > type: services.msc > hit enter) causes the computer to go mute, what a load of bs. More services just slow down the PC, this has only added to the un-necessary bloat of Micro-fatso Windoez Xp.
 

CrowBarr

Senior member
Nov 27, 2003
867
0
76
Microsoft is bloatware as well....yes. I am in total agreement. Unfortunately I am not enough of a geek (read "not intelligent enough at command line programming") to use Linux, or I would.
 

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
6
81
Originally posted by: CrowBarr
Microsoft is bloatware as well....yes. I am in total agreement. Unfortunately I am not enough of a geek (read "not intelligent enough at command line programming") to use Linux, or I would.




Don't you know how to use dos? Linux is very similar, Just differant command words.