Why do people use AOL

[Hallzy]

I do not know why anyone would subscribe to AOL, I mean really AOL does not mean American On-Line just because you are American does not mean you should use this. (That and compuserve is AOL) In my opinion AOL is a virus:

Here is why

1) over 600 registry edits

2) Literally slows down system and internet connection

3) AOL = Spyware

4) It is just too DAMN expensive

Dont get me wrong I am sure for newbies and people who only understand "keyword" rather than typing www.webpage.com AOL, Compuserve may verywell be good. But once you know how to use the internet, why keep using it. your phone company can do the same service for 1/2 the price without installing any additional software......

Sorry guys, just a rant

 

[gar598]

They don't know any better or really don't want to know

 

[Modeps]

same reason people double post... stupidity. (just kidding)

but seriously, AOL caters to the know nothing people out there that want to have a computer... apparently 'NEW AOL VERSION 7.0' (seems like they only increase their major version number, but never the minor) is advertised as having better... email.

riiight.

 

[Modeps]

oh, check this out:

text

 

[Zenmervolt]

<1) over 600 registry edits>>

Can I get a list of those registry edits? I started out on AOL when it was the only game in town (version 1.5 I believe) and now I only have it installed because it's easier to check my AOL e-mail (99.9% spam, but an occasional useful message) through AOL than through the web. I used to joke that AOL was the largest mail program I had ever used, but if it fvcks with the registry that much, I'm definitely going to be removing it and putting up with getting the mail off the web.

Zenmervolt

 

[greenfirs]

Most people use AOL for the same reason that most people use Windows.

They want to purchase a well-known brand-name product from a company that advertises extensively, rather than a generic product from one of countless companies that offer the very same product and advertise very little if at all.

People prefer AOL service to generic Internet service, and people prefer Windows to the countless Linux distributions.

People are attracted to a sense of value and security and reliability, rather than real value, security, and reliability.

 

[Iwentsouth]

Well double post...since this is the most popular one. Again does it make you feel superior to put AOL people down? What does software have to do about brainwashing, savvy, and other crap.

No I am not on AOL.

 

[Hallzy]

It bothers me as much as people downloading beta software and wonder why their system is all goofed up. I feel bad for people who don't know their options or peoples misunderstandings on how to use technology

 

[Hallzy]

bump

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< It bothers me as much as people downloading beta software and wonder why their system is all goofed up. I feel bad for people who don't know their options or peoples misunderstandings on how to use technology >>



Or maybe they know something you dont. Name an ISP that is WORLD WIDE. Name one that I could go to almost any country and be able to connect to the internet without getting a new provider or paying for out of country phone calls. AOL.

 

[Mo0o]

the difference between AOL and windows is that if you don't use windows you can't use about half the software thats out there. but just beucase you're not using AOL doesn't mean you can't go online. i think AOL is the worlds most retarded piece of internet software, right up there with popups. people who rely on AOL to guide them through the internet do not deserve to own a computer

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< the difference between AOL and windows is that if you don't use windows you can't use about half the software thats out there. but just beucase you're not using AOL doesn't mean you can't go online. i think AOL is the worlds most retarded piece of internet software, right up there with popups. people who rely on AOL to guide them through the internet do not deserve to own a computer >>



Wow, I feel the same way about Windows users!

 

[tcsenter]

AOL = mass public appeal.

They do however offer all the AOL content plus the ability to access non-AOL content. That appeals to many people. For the same price as AOL, I get nothing but a connection (and email). That appeals to me.

 

[Mo0o]

<<

<< the difference between AOL and windows is that if you don't use windows you can't use about half the software thats out there. but just beucase you're not using AOL doesn't mean you can't go online. i think AOL is the worlds most retarded piece of internet software, right up there with popups. people who rely on AOL to guide them through the internet do not deserve to own a computer >>



Wow, I feel the same way about Windows users! >>



you think windows users don't deserve to own a computer? half the computer industry revolves around windows. (i may be exaggerating a bit)

 

[n0cmonkey]

<<

<<

<< the difference between AOL and windows is that if you don't use windows you can't use about half the software thats out there. but just beucase you're not using AOL doesn't mean you can't go online. i think AOL is the worlds most retarded piece of internet software, right up there with popups. people who rely on AOL to guide them through the internet do not deserve to own a computer >>



Wow, I feel the same way about Windows users! >>



you think windows users don't deserve to own a computer? half the computer industry revolves around windows. (i may be exaggerating a bit) >>



I realize that the home market fully revolves around Windows. But if you can feel that way about a valid solution to connecting to the Internet no matter where you are, why cannot I not feel that about an OS that needs a major overhaul?

 

[Haircut]

Because it's easy.

I was speaking with someone the other week and he was telling me about this great deal he had got with AOL.
I tried explaining why AOL is bad, but all he wasn't concerned with what it does to his PC he was just bothered with getting on the Iternet quickly and easily.

 

[Hallzy]

he wasn't concerned with what it does to his PC he was just bothered with getting on the Iternet quickly and easily

But sidebyside tests AOL is slower than regular dial up????

 

[Teatowel]

I hate AOL with a passion, as it is slow and I cannot post to Anandtech from my AOL connection at home. However, unless you have a cable connection here, there are very few billing plans that allow unmetered internet access for a monthly fee. Those that do provide unmetered access have very unreliable connections and some have fair use policies. AOL connection in London is reliable and fast (well, as fast as it gets for a 56k modem) and I have stayed on for most of a week without getting cut off.

 

[Hallzy]

I am sure that is because in the UK not allot of people are using AOl servers, I guess they are using BT

 

[Jzero]

I hate the people at my school who get free access to multiple T1-bandwidth and some 30MB of web and mail space FREE, yet insist on using AOL by TCP/IP. WTF?! I fought with so many users.....
"Can I still use my AOL?"
"Well...yeah....but why would you want to?"
"How else will I get on the internet?"
"Just double-click IE or Netscape.....you don't need AOL. We give you everything AOL does, and more. Faster and free, too."
"What about my buddies?"
"Just get AIM."
"What about e-mail?"
"You get e-mail through the school."
"Oh.......Can I still use my AOL?"

ARGH FINE WASTE YOUR MONEY THEN!

 

[woodly6]

I have personally never used AOL, I use AIM quite often though, my parents had compuserve and it seemed to bring up the BSOD more than you would think. I started using the internet through Prodigy when it was just a bunch of bulliten boards and you got charged by the hour, and now I am on cable, and after hearing all these complaints about AOL I am glad I never really had to expeirence it.

 

[olkeskustelut]

Bit of a stupid question. When I went online in the days of the 386, there wasn't a list of 1400 ISPs to choose from, I had never used windows, and it was FREE ! it is a good place to start for a lot of people, me included, and brought me into the internet age. Of course, now I would never have less than ISDN or cable, but AOL definately has its place. Why would anyone drive a honda civic ? Basically the same question. Your freinds may laugh at you, but it is basically free and easy, and not everyone can jump right in to a Z8.
OLK

 

[nakedfrog]

I used AOL for a few months back in 98. The first month was free, so I figured I'd use it until I picked the local provider I actually wanted to use. Every month, I'd call up to cancel my account, and the customer service person would say "Would you like another free month?" and so I sez "Sure."
After four months, I said "No. Just cancel it. I don't want it any more. NO! REMOVE THIS ABOMINATION FROM MY ABODE!!!"
Well, except for that last bit.
Switched to Mindspring.

 

[Hallzy]

Well in 386 days AOL and Compuserve were not even ISP, they were content providers. you log on to their network to gain access to their programs, only within the last 5 years has AOL/Compuserve been providing Internet Service

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Hallzy - I use AOL. Why do you care? I don't care what the hell ISP you use or anyone else on this board uses. Anyways, here are some questions for you:

When you go out of town, out of state, whatever, can you connect to your ISP?

What is the max attachment size that you can receive?

How many emails with your max attachment size can you receive?

How many emails can you have in your mailbox?

How many email addresses can you have with your ISP?


I'm well aware of the shortcomings of AOL. However, the last time I tried multiple ISPs in my area, AOL had the fastest throughput. Yes, my pings suck. I would say that consistent 45.3kbs is pretty good from a 25-mile-away dialup. I get a busy signal maybe once in 3 months, but even if I do there are three numbers to choose from. The fact is, I'm connected almost 24/7 so it doesn't matter much at all. I rarely get dropped. I can't remember the last time AOL crashed. I can't get cable or DSL, etc. AOL currently is using 12.1MB of memory & 12.4MB hdd space, how much is your chat program, dialup program, & email client using?

People mock AOL for being "easy". What's wrong with email being easy? Why do you want to use a total POS program like outlook for email?

BTW, I'm perfectly capable of running any generic dialup...