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Why I recommend America On-line
You don't have to go too far on the internet to see America On-line decried as a terrible ISP (internet service provider). AOL is commonly described as being greedy, pushy, untrustworthy, underhanded, dishonest and lame. Their software is bloated and won't work with anyone else's. They set their own standards and expect the rest of the 'net to follow suit - and then sues them if they try. And they're always trying to sell you something....they've got advertising everywhere.
A lot of what you read about AOL is "sour grapes" and a lot of it is based on bad experiences people had years ago. And a very great deal of it is true and the opinions of its detractors are generally well founded.
So why do I recommend AOL to people new to computers and the internet when they ask me what ISP they should use?
1. AOL's software is the easiest to use.
No doubt about it. AOL's program installs without a hitch, just about anyone can do it. They're eager to teach you how to use it once you've got it installed too. It's set up with the neophyte (on the internet they're called "newbies") in mind. AOL makes it easy to be quickly doing the things most people now come to the internet to do - e-mail, instant messaging, and chat.
E-mail has it's own buttons- big ones- top left — first place you'd look, and it talks to you when "you've got mail."
AOL Instant Messaging (referred to everywhere as AIM) has the most subscribers, is as easy to use as any and way, way easier than some, and is totally seamless with AOL itself. It's just there and ready for you to set up with your own "buddies". Neat and sweet, no hassles.
Chats are easy to get to and easy to set up. Besides AIM, which after all is just a special kind of private chat, there are all manner of public and private chat rooms. Much derision is made of AOL catering to the "chatting masses", but if chat is your thing, AOL is for you. Click below to get AOL 5.0 with 500 hours FREE:
2. AOL is the best value for the money.
AOL gives you more for your money than any other ISP. Most importantly you get seven separate screennames or individual Internet identities (with AOL 5.0). This allows you to get your kids on the internet and tightly control what they can do and who can contact them with AOL's Parental Controls.
AOL makes much of their exclusive content and while much of it is not really all that exclusive anymore – you can find pretty much the same things elsewhere – you're going to have to search far and wide to find it. AOL will have it all neatly packaged for you. You may have to click through 3 to 5 screens of advertising to get to it, but AOL will make sure you can find it.
When I first got on AOL over 3 years ago connecting was a big problem. No more. AOL's connections are as fast as anyone's and they are there, and they are going to stay there. I've got several free ISP's on my computer and while they work pretty well when they work, I haven't gotten one of them to work for weeks; and another, WorldSpy(r), just went out of business. AOL has been by and large trouble free for over a year. They learned their lesson three years ago and are now quick to add capacity.
If you'd like to try AOL, click on the link below and get 500 hours FREE:
Installation Note:
When installing AOL 5.0 you will be asked "do you want AOL to be your default provider of internet, e-mail, etc. etc." --- be sure to say NO. Some systems have had problems with the changes AOL makes when you say "yes" to this question. The risks of saying "yes" far outweigh the advantages (and no one but AOL is even sure what the advantages are). Remember just say NO.
