RSSNew Suite Binds Next-Gen AOL Software
By Nate Mook | Published August 19, 2005, 11:53 AM
America Online's "Copland" initiative to bring together the company's applications into a single package has been given a name: AOL Suite. Integrating AOL Explorer, Mail and AIM Triton, AOL Suite will serve as the company's next-generation software for subscribers, and could eventually replace AOL's aging client.
Copland was the code-name for AOL's Open Client Platform, which was designed to create a unified code base for AOL applications. The idea was to build software that is more in tune with current consumer behavior -- from broadband to multi-tasking -- while moving away from an all-in-one client experience.
Now, AOL Suite, which entered beta testing this week, bares the fruits of that strategy. Because each application is designed around the same core interface, AOL can keep memory usage low and integration high. At the same time, the suite gives AOL subscribers the ability to launch an application only when it is needed.
At the heart of AOL Suite lies a navigation bar that resides on the side of the screen to launch applications and provide instant access to AOL services such as travel and keywords. Pop-out menus, not currently functional in Beta 1, will offer quick access to incoming instant messages or e-mails.
For now, the core components of the suite are: AOL Mail, Triton (the next-generation AIM client) and AOL Explorer, the company's Internet Explorer based Web browser that adds features such as tabbed browsing and desktop search.
Other applications are expected to be integrated in future betas, including a Safety and Security Center and AOL Pictures photo application.
Integration brings a number of advantages beyond a central navbar, AOL says. Quick Notes, a feature of Triton, can be called from any application to send a message to a buddy using a variety of different methods. In addition, AOL Suite uses a single authentication scheme to avoid making the user sign into AOL numerous times.
AOL Suite is actually the culmination of a number of different efforts within AOL to revamp its software for the emergence of broadband. AOL Mail and Explorer originally began as Communicator, a project started after the lackluster debut of Netscape 6.
A beta test for "Fanfare," which was slated to replace AOL Communicator, deployed the underpinnings of Copland and merged AOL Media Player, Spyware Protection and AOL Calendar into the Communicator code base. Fanfare was eventually scrapped, but AOL took what it learned during the test and the result was AOL Suite.
AOL isn't yet saying whether AOL Suite will become the primary interface for subscribers, but it has left the door open for such a move. Unlike previous beta tests, the software is designed for everyone - not just power users. And with pressure to stem the growing tide of subscriber losses, AOL is seeking new ways to reach the computer literate.
However, not even AOL denies that dial-up is quickly being relegated to the history books and AOL Suite provides a way for the company to keep users in the family even after they leave the service. If members become accustomed to AOL's software lineup, they are more likely to keep using those applications even after they have transitioned to broadband.
For the time being, AOL Suite remains available only to members. Beta 1 runs on Windows XP, but Windows 2000 support will be added as testing progresses. More information is available on beta.aol.com.
I seem to have a lot to say about AOL. I have a friend who has it, and it literally takes 4 minutes for a page to load. I don't like how uneffecient all their software is, and how when you download 1 application, you get ads, and useless programs installed along with it. Example: You install AIM, and you get WeatherBug, AOL Exlorer,and ads for AOL. I just Want AIM, nothing else. AOL gets me mad because it's highly inefficient.I bet AOL Suite will make me even madder at AOL. Also, the fact that it has tabs doesn't mean anything. Firefox does too, and even Internet Explorer is going to have them.
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|I use no software that takes control of my desktop. My arrangement with AT&T is that they get me on the net, nothing else. It is also the reason I use none of the so-called system tools. As someone at this site once said: "they are doing things to your computer, some of which you probably don't want done."
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|Well, since I'm an AOL customer (quit snickering, folks!), I expected the install of AOL Suite on my computer to go smooth and easy. Fat chance! After downloading, the progress bar stopped at the 25% mark, then I got an alert merely telling me install had failed... no detail, no explanation, no nothing...
I know the d*** stuff is still in beta, but I expected more from such a big firm.
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|I'm still not sure why people pay for AOL... I've been wondering that for years.. I never figured out any benefits associated with it that you can't get for free.. Does it make sense to anyone?
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|It's for the people who don't know where to find the free tools, what free tools they're looking for, how to download them if they found them (or how long to wait on dialup for those enormous downloads), how to install/configure them, or how the heck they're supposed to use them once they finally went through all the aggravation.
That's why people buy AOL. It's easy ;-)
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|When you install AOL client you end up with:
AOL client
AOL connectivity services
AOL coach 2
AOL you've got pictures screensaver
AOL deskbar
AOL dialer
AOL Spyware protection
AOL quick reference pdf
AOL computer checkup
AOL system tray icon
Realplayer 8
Viewpoint media player
Port Magic
Install AIM
Install ICQ
Install Compuserve
McAfee viruscan online
AOL toolbar for IE
and multiple shortcuts for everything.
AOL Suite sounds like AOL execs still have this diorganized bundling mentality, creating a product which is confusing and bloated and overdone and unnecessary. I can't imagine how many more applications and services will get installed by a bundled suite of already bundled softwares.
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|eh... whatever.
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|they stopped just short of good with this one just teetering on the edge of improved and poor
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|I think that it's a great move on AOL's behalf. By packaging all this stuff together, while it'll greatly annoy some (like a friend of mine who only uses AIM out of necessity), but I think it'll be a success, or at the very least it has the potential to be. And here's why:
1) AOL IM: Everyone uses this. Everyone. Packaging the other apps with this is a huge reason as to why the others have the potential to become widespread, for reasons I'll cover in my next two points.
2) AOL Explorer: I happen to like it, though it has enough kinks and behavioral issues that a I'm sticking with Firefox for the forseeable future. But more importantly than it being a decent browser is that if it's made default during the isntallation process, everyone will use it. It's the same reason a lot of people use IE: it's what pops up when they click a link; it's just there; it's the default; etc. No one will care if the default's changed, especially since AOL Explorer's built on IE. Bookmarks, etc. from IE will work within AOL Explorer immediately.
3) AOL Mail: Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember hearing that AOL had started a free webmail service. If that's true (and even if it isn't, to a lesser extent), packaging this in will get a lot of people using it, as opposed to the in-browser webmail solutions most use now, especially if they get a shiny new email address along with their AIM account. Oh, and adding this to the suite will make it all but inevitable that the current AOL browser/suite/all-in-one-package can and will be replaced with this.
Again, a lot of people won't like it, but given how AOL's doing, they've gotta do something drastic. And this just might work. Honestly, I think it will.
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|Peronally, I think its the reverse. Give people more of a reason not to bother with AIM.
Who would possible want all that crap?!
AOL always seems to screw with computers as it is...
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|I really doubt that the majority of AIM users are gonna drop said application because of the packaged software. At best they'll be intrigued by the new apps that suddenly appeared (Like they'd know they were installing the whole suite? These are the same people who are blissfully unaware that they're installing spyware with AIM.), and at worst they wouldn't use them.
And for those that don't like it, what're they going to do? Almost none will switch protocols, if only because to do so successfully the majority of their friends would have to as well, and, even if a few switch, I couldn't fathom there being a mass exodus because of a suite being built around AIM. The only other option I can see would be moving to a multi-protocol application like Trillian (Which I did after using the trash that is 5.9.), and, again, I don't see an exodus of any kind (Be it from the protocol or the AIM application itself.) happening because of this.
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|AOL...LOL
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|AOL is still in business? Who knew!
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|Good move AOL. I like your "Suite" approach better than the AOL client. Now hurry, clean up and release Triton (aim 6.0) and stop releasing aim 5.9 betas already
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|I think companies should continue to support older OS's, because there are those people who prefer to use their exsisting OS.
- Josh
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|There's only one problem with that: progress.
Just because someone still wants to use Windows 3.11, that doesn't mean it should be supported.
Systems need to be upgraded as technology progresses. It's just part of the evolution of PC software development. Otherwise, time will be wasted making new software compatible with obsolete platforms instead of adding usable features to it for the up-to-date platforms.
It's all about efficiency. If someone can't buy a new OS every 4 years, then they have some severe problems that are probably affecting much more critical areas of their life.
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|interesting...honestly I think companies need to stop making software for win 98 and ME and start phasing out 2000 because they are over 5 years old upgrade already...its quite annoying when you have to troubleshoot these ancient dinosaurs because something ALWAYS goes wrong and you have to explain to this person "your pc is hosed we need your os disk" (which they never have)
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|AMEN to that
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|agreed.
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|Cannot be more true.
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|A very interesting move. Instead of the all-in-one package that AOL is now, they are basically giving the user a web browser, AIM, and other features as part of the install, and then a central place to launch them individually. It's interesting because it is so different than the current software. Most people got on AOL years ago because they didn't know the internet existed outside of AOL. Now, I would suspect that many users are sticking with AOL because of the central all-in-one client, and I'm not sure that this move is what those users want. I guess it's to be seen, however.
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|Interesting. This actually sounds like it might be an ok software suite. I probably won't use it, but for beginning computer users, this will probably be perfect for them. Although, they also won't know how to use anything else on the computer because it won't be as easy as this...
meh
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|It is codenamed Copeland and also refered to as "AOL Suite", but I think the final will be called "AOL Unified Crap".
Thank GOD it will not work on Win98--but from the sound of it, it seems the thinking that allowed AOL 9.0 to work on 98SE is the same thinking for allowing this to work on Windows 2000: "Hey programmers, build XP compatible code ensure it works with Vista, make it unify all our apps...oh yeah, oh yeah, and make sure it functions on a clean Win2k install, but don't waste time checking for incompatabilities with other 2000 apps, and prevent the uninstaller from working on it."
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|I see that they plan to support the x64 platform and that certainly suits me.
I use AOL Communicator under x64 and still like it a lot, especially for the radio (though the new XM Satellite stations have problems with endless "missing file image" popups).
The real issue is whether the marketing geniuses can be stopped from using this as yet another way of pushing more of their own ads in my face and spying on my tastes and interests. If they refuse to understand that I'm not paying for the privilege of seeing broadband ads, I'll cancel.
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