AOL 8.0
- 12
- Add a Comment
- No related posts
Regarding AOL 8.0, as a tester I can say that, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” The desktop colors and toolbar colors have changed, but still perform the same functions. Icons are different. It still has that stupid “Channels” bar on the left that does nothing but get in the way. Realplayer still is a part of the install. It add a tool that runs “outside” of AOL that supposedly makes using AOL a bit easier. IM is now the beneficiary of wallpaper - as long as the person with whom you are chatting is using the same version. Email allows you to categorize it and you can block SPAMMERS a bit easier with the NOTIFY button on the email list. The address book features a few changes that are noticeable as well. Connection options now include something called “Home Network” which seems to be the same as the LAN settings currently supported. It's still a resource hog, still extremely proprietary, and still “everywhere you want it to be.” It is handy for traveling but I would not opt for it unless there were no options. And, if you have made any calls to TS lately you know, their TS department is falling further and further behind. In this case, you don't get what you pay for. I agree with the assessment of ISPs listed in the August 2002 issue of PC Magazine - AOL is way down the list when it comes to quality and support. Maybe that is why I keep on testing in the hopes that I can make suggestions that will improve things in some way. [Scott Holder]
12 Comments
Anonymous
July 20th, 2002
at 3:08pm
AOL: so easy to use, no wonder it sucks and blows.
Anonymous
July 20th, 2002
at 8:01pm
I've never quite understood AOL, or why people put up with AOL. I had the service about 5 years ago, and couldn't stand it then. My family and I used up one of those month-long trial sort of things, and paid about 4 months of service.
We had to cancel the credit card to get AOL to stop billing us, because they would assure us over the telephone that the account was cancelled and the next month, it would show up on the Visa bill. ********.
I also can't stand how they consistantly lie. “Connecting at 56k baud!” Erm. No. Go ping yourself, or run a traceroute. More like 28-36k baud, with marginal packet loss.
They were first. They were a conglomerate. They sucked. They suck now. They will continue to suck until the day they declare chapter 11 (Pleaaaase sometime soon!).
That's my mini AOL rant. :)
Anonymous
July 20th, 2002
at 11:31pm
Our friend Scott here could've saved all his time and energy in typing/saying that and just said what everyone has been saying for years. “AOHell sucks.”
Anonymous
July 21st, 2002
at 6:29am
I never even have a look at AOL before. What is AOL?
Sounds familiar.. is it a bit like LOL?
LOL 8.0 ?
Anonymous
July 21st, 2002
at 10:55am
AOL was the first ISP I ever used. Good thing I had friends who had “real” internet because using AOL almost scared me off the net for good. You feel boxed in their strange (easy to use?) interface. It wasn't until I discovered that you could minimize their junk and use IE to browse the web that a whole new world opened up for me. AOL might be OK for a new user who has had NO experience with the WWW but for a real person, it just sucks. And what are you paying for? it's the most expensive dial-up I've ever used and one of the slowest. I see AOL being good for only those on the go all of the time but with computers in libraries, internet cafes and the like, you can access (in most cases) your e-mail from your local ISP from their homepage at no cost to you. And, AOL's chat is by far one of the worst for features in my opinion. Shall I ramble on some more about why i think AOHell sucks?
Anonymous
July 21st, 2002
at 11:25am
Sure, why not?
Anonymous
July 21st, 2002
at 1:46pm
Oh, but I'm sure we can all look forward to a few dozen AOL 8.0 “coasters” in our mailboxes in the near future. :)
I think people just need more self-confidence. How many times have you heard some goofball on TV saying something to the effect of “I don't know nuthin' 'bout computers.” Or, “I'm a moron when it comes to computers.” Exactly why AOL thrives.
That, and people get trapped with their “identities.” It's getting to the point where most people I know that continue to fork over cash to AOL do so for one reason only - their e-mail address. Quite possibly the #1 reason *not* to use an ISP's domain for your personal e-mail. (Or any temporary account, for that matter…work, school, etc.)
I get so irritated at the constant barrage of “I graduated so here's my new address…” emails.
Anonymous
July 21st, 2002
at 11:15pm
Like RadioFreeWill(I think) said: AOL IS LIKE A Vaccuum, It manages to suck and blow at the same time.
Have a Great night..
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2002
at 2:06am
AOL is evil. Its worse than a hybrid of Bin Laden, Saddam Hussain and Bill Gates.
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2002
at 4:01pm
AOL SUCKS…
Now why should we disrespect the joys of oral *** by using it to describe America Online? LOL They don't deserve such fine treatment… :P
Anonymous
July 28th, 2002
at 7:08am
is it just me? I guess it is.. ;p I dont find AOL all that bad. It connects me faster than Earthlink does.. it's not just what it says.. I notice the difference when I download software or load pages. I find the content interesting, for the most part. I like being part of a community. I get content, I get community, I can still go outside of it whenever i want and surf the regular internet. And sure, much (but not all) of the content is web-based.. BUT I wouldnt have known about many of the sites without having been introduced to it by AOL. Also, I have never once had my connection dropped. Whereas Earthlink drops me often. Another reason I might make the switch is because I am so sick and tired of worrying about viruses. I feel very vulnerable these days and am tired of wondering which software to use on the net that I and my computer will be safe using. As far as I know, AOL is pretty safe in that department. I consider myself quite computer and web literate and I dont feel that using AOL means you are a “dummy”. I like it for the reasons I do.. and dislike it for otther reasons (spam being the #1 reason and the email client being the #2 reason). I have some decisions to make.. ;p
Anonymous
August 9th, 2002
at 10:09pm
so easy to use, it will drive you insane