Convince my parents to get rid of AOL

[MartyMcFly3]

They made the step and got DSL. I showed them AOL instant messenger, and using browsers like Mozilla... They for some godforsaken reason still like AOL. So I beg of you give me the BEST reasons to not have AOL. Things like "AOL is bad." or "AOL sucks." or anything along those lines will not be helpful. Lets hear some good reasons.

Thanks.

 

[nageov3t]

if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

 

[jtusa]

AOL sucks.

 

[The Stigenator]

show them how much money they can save buy using dialup by someone else.. and still having their AIM list and stuff. But most likely the reason they havent moved is because they want to keep their email.

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: jtusa4
AOL sucks.

AOL is bad

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: loki8481
if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

They want to hear some reasons why they shouldnt have it. I figured since everyone on here always rips on AOL I/they could hear some good input.

 

[yhelothar]

Use verizon, you get that MSN thingy which is MS's version of AOL.
Then fireup newsbin and start leeching away terabytes upon terabytes of pr0n upon your disposal!

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3

Originally posted by: loki8481
if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

They want to hear some reasons why they shouldnt have it. I figured since everyone on here always rips on AOL I/they could hear some good input.

Anyone who can't figure out what's wrong with AOL on their own, deserves to be stuck with AOL

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: loki8481
if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

I agree as well. Why switch to something that would make their lives harder?

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3

Originally posted by: loki8481
if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

They want to hear some reasons why they shouldnt have it. I figured since everyone on here always rips on AOL I/they could hear some good input.

Anyone who can't figure out what's wrong with AOL on their own, deserves to be stuck with AOL

Oh believe me Ive given plenty of reasons. They just want to hear from some outside people.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: J0hnny

Originally posted by: loki8481
if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

I agree as well. Why switch to something that would make their lives harder?

At work they use web browsers and dont have AOL so its not like they are non-computer people. They are just interested in hearing some reasons why they should get rid of AOL.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Originally posted by: ggnl

Originally posted by: jtusa4
AOL sucks.

AOL is bad

AOL is endorsed by Satan and all that is unholy!!!

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3

Originally posted by: J0hnny

Originally posted by: loki8481
if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

I agree as well. Why switch to something that would make their lives harder?

At work they use web browsers and dont have AOL so its not like they are non-computer people. They are just interested in hearing some reasons why they should get rid of AOL.

Well, since that's the case, it doesn't sound to me like you're going to be very successful at all convincing them to toss AOL. Besides, if AOL is what they like and comfortable with and they're not having a problem paying for it why should they switch to begin with? It's what they like - not what you like or don't like.

 

[neonerd]

Originally posted by: ggnl

Originally posted by: jtusa4
AOL sucks.

AOL is bad

AOL is t3h sux0r

EDIT: I've tried convincing some clients of mine to cease using AOL...typically the older clients, but they just keep using it. they find it easy and stuff. I really don't care what they use, but if my parents used it, i would feel insulted

 

[damonpip]

AOL just doesn't really provide anything that you can't get better for free.
Such as:
News: Any major news site.
Email: Gmail or Email software + POP3
IM: AIM
And so on... I'm not sure what else AOL provides, but I'm sure there are better, free alternatives for most of it

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: loki8481
if they like it and get something out of the service, who cares if they use it?

I can understand how a non-computer person could find AOL to be pretty helpful.

awful service, you disconnect all the time, SLOW speeds, even on broadband, utter lack of personal control. if that doesnt sell it, they dont need to switch.

 

[welst10]

What's their phone number?

 

[Wallydraigle]

AOL IPs are banned at ATOT. Wait, that's a reason to keep AOL, nevermind.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: welst10
What's their phone number?

Im here at the house right now. Fortunately with DSL and a browser i dont have to go through AOL and can post here. I just dont understand what they do on there that they cant do faster and better on just a browser and instant messager.

 

[Gurck]

-Large producer of plastic refuse (their CDs), and probably the world's #1 snail-mail spammer
-Their dialup is slow, with frequent disconencts
-AOL for Broadband is an unnecessary monthly fee which buys handholding and nothing more
-When you cancel their service they continue charging your credit card for a month or two, without fail
-Looked down on by most other internet users, even banned from many sites, like this one
-Software is bloaty and full of ads

 

[mobobuff]

What could possibly be easier than cable? You hook it up with 3 cables tops (2 data one power), and it's ALWAYS ON. No disconnects! And much faster.

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3

Originally posted by: welst10
What's their phone number?

Im here at the house right now. Fortunately with DSL and a browser i dont have to go through AOL and can post here. I just dont understand what they do on there that they cant do faster and better on just a browser and instant messager.

Post their number here. I'm sure some bored ATOTers will call them up to convert them

 

[rstove02]

Personally I never used AOL, but had friends that use/used it and the following things saw over the last 6 years on AOL I hate:
1) Slow speeds
2) Common disconnects
3) AOL sponsored pop-up ads and other forced advertising even though your paying a monthly fee.
4) Taking stand alone programs and turning them into bloatware (browsers, winamp, etc).
5) Diagnostic/repair tools that often screw things up more than fix anything (think norton utilities on a bad acid trip)
6) Load on the system even with AOL is not running (putting tons of crud in the taskbar on the bottom right).

 

[MaxFusion16]

Originally posted by: neonerd

Originally posted by: ggnl

Originally posted by: jtusa4
AOL sucks.

AOL is bad

AOL is t3h sux0r

EDIT: I've tried convincing some clients of mine to cease using AOL...typically the older clients, but they just keep using it. they find it easy and stuff. I really don't care what they use, but if my parents used it, i would feel insulted

clients? aren't you like 16?

 

[Slugbait]

AOL has never fully departed from their original design...an online service.

Online services were all most people had in the old days, back when many people wanted to upgrade to a 486. There was no such thing as the "World Wide Web". Al Gore hadn't yet invented the Internet, so there was no such thing as an Internet Service Provider. And online services like Prodigy, Compuserve and AOL made people feel as a part of a community.

Some people like having a central UI entry point for everything that matters most. Why do you think Microsoft came out with the MSN Explorer? MS realized people actually like this...otherwise, why would well over 28 million people use AOL? (yes, I'm aware the AOL churn has taken their numbers down as of late...)

I'm not defending AOL, I realized how stupid I was in '94 and quit. I especially didn't like hearing about v5.0, and I'm really glad I missed that debacle.

But I am defending your parents. They are comfortable with their "life choice", and you should accept it and love them for who they are, and not criticize them or try to change them...as I understand it, they've probably been inclined toward online services since birth. It's nothing to be ashamed about.