RSSAOL to Go Free in September
By Ed Oswald | Published August 2, 2006, 12:04 PM
As expected, Time Warner said Wednesday it would no longer charge broadband users of its online service AOL in a move designed to boost advertising revenue. While the company will still offer dial-up access at $25.90 USD per month, it would no longer be aggressively marketed.
The switch to a free service is a real gamble for AOL -- the company is expected to lose about $2 billion in subscriber revenue as a result of the move, which must be made up in advertising. However, something needed to be done, as AOL has lost a third of its subscribers since 2002.
"This is the next logical step for AOL to capitalize further on the explosive rise in broadband usage and online advertising," Time Warner president Jeff Bewkes said. "With its robust and rapidly expanding advertising operation, we expect to put AOL back on a growth path."
The company is even extending an open hand to those who may have left the service within the past two years. Former customers will be able to reactivate their accounts for free when the effort takes effect in September.
Products to be offered for free include AOL's signature integrated software application, AOL e-mail, instant messaging, a local phone number with unlimited incoming calls, and social networking applications.
An update is planned for the company's client, which could come in the form of AOL Streamliner, as well as new free products in security, storage, personalized e-mail domains, video and search. Streamliner is currently in beta testing and combines e-mail, Web browsing, instant messaging and a media center.
"The AOL Network has over 100 million unique visitors per month, and we'll work hard to engage Internet users with new products that will be available for free on the Web," AOL chairman and CEO Jonathan Miller said.
AOL says it is confident it would be able to harness the online advertising market in order to make its plans a reality. AOL has the second largest domestic audience and holds the third largest advertising network in the United States, which continues to grow. In the second quarter, advertising revenue grew 40 percent year-over-year.
I have been a long-time AOL customer. AOL 9.0 was released years ago. One thing about AOL, it listens. I for one, am part of the AOL beta community. AOL has many great products to offer. If you hated AIM Triton's first GM release, try its preview release for its second GM release. It is so much better. They listen, in the first GM release, AOL Explorer was included by deafult (no option). In its second (preview) GM release, not only is it a option to install, but it is not selected by default. Anything AOL includes is not spyware, it is applications. You buy a new computer, you get applications. If it were spyware, then why would AOL offer FREE (first company to ever offer that) safety and security protection that never expires and automatically updates with McAfee Virus Protection, Spyware protection (which if AOL installed spyware, would block them anyway), Firewall, Phishing protection, and Parental Controls (both in and outside AOL). AOL PC Optimizer is in beta testing, Computer Check-Up, AOL One-click Fixes (fixes many common PC problems), AOL Network Magic, unlimited e-mail storing (on server) and the list goes on.
I hate when people try a company's product and don't give it a second chance. Things will change will different builds, AOL will listen if its users speak.
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|This is the end from Prodigy, CompuServe and American on Line.
Remember the good old days, very simple
Bye AOL and never come back again, you destroyed everything you touched
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|Why anyone would be stupid enough to use AOL *anything* is beyond me. For years AOL users were instant targets on Usenet due to their immaturity, arrogance and just plain stupidity. It was often reflected upon that AOL users were ample proof that Mother Nature was now recruiting from the shallow end of the gene pool.
Give it away free? I wouldn't touch their simplified restrictive garbage even then. I'm obviously not alone in this view - AOL can't gain market share to save its life up here in Canada.
I can't for the life of me imagine why...
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|I can't for the life of me imagine why...
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Try thinking outside the box. :)And at the same time, look in the mirror.
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|I'll miss throwing free AOL cd's against the wall and watching them shatter, or setting them on fire and watching them melt. I'll miss the free cd boxes too. I remember when they had the nice plastic ones that looked like DVD boxes, those were nice. Oh well. :(
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|I use to take some of the disks and spin them at 35,000 rpm with my Dremel and watch then explode.
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|Nah, target practice is a much better use for them. The newest free CDs they have at Walmart are perfect for that, too. They have the AOL running man on the front with his hands up and everything. =p
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|http://s5.photobucket.co...w¤t=Dorm3.jpg
My best friend's dorm room - made possible thanks to AOL. :-)
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|Doesn't AOL use McAfee for their anti-virus/spyware security suite?
So basically, this is free McAfee for everyone.
I wonder if Symantec is a bit nervous about this.
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|Why would they be? As poor as Symantec products are 9and they are indeed poor - I use them in a corporate setting and have been responsible for managing a countermeasures infrastructure based upon their AV tools), McAfee lends a who new meaning to the term "incompetence".
Like AOL, I wouldn't use it even if it were free.
No AV at all is better than McAfee junk.
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|No AV at all is better than McAfee junk.
I'm not sure I would go THAT far. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. That's just a senseless bash.
I (mostly) agree with your assessment of McAfee however. Their current AV products will not touch my computer.
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|Free TRASH. oh goodie.
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|Chat rooms yaaaaaaaaay
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|Think You Time Warner you have did a good thing for all of man kind.
Now you have to do one more good deed pull the plug on the waste land that is left.
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|Reguarding what members and non-members will get, AOL released an FAQ that mention 100% access to the client and new 4 pannel product "StreamLiner"
http://daol.aol.com/newaol/announcement_faq
As for AIM customers, I'm still looking into those details for you. The only thing matching details about conversion to AOL is yes.
Q: Can I transfer my AIM Screen Name to an AOL account?
A: Yes. While you're registering your AOL account, make sure to select the "You are an AOL Instant Messenger user and you want to create an AOL account" option to convert your AIM Screen Name to an AOL account. Currently, there's no way to use an AIM Screen Name as an additional/sub-account Screen Name on your AOL account.
SOURCE :: http://www.aim.com/help_...rted.adp?aolp=0#aim2aol
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|noooo!!!
I like AOL aggressively marketing their "service".
I look forward to how I can make use of the packages they sent me...and fell in love with one. Let's see if anyone else noticed this.
They sent out one fairly recently, a cushy paper/cardboard foam hybrid packed disc. I was curiousy how the case shut so nicely for a massively mass marketed item. I tore it open...lo and behold they used some magnets for this baby. Not 1 but 2! And these were high quality powerful full metal magnets, not flexible weak ceramic hybrids.
Well after this I looked forward to more of these freebies. But now...where will I get my ultra strong free fridge magnets? Where I tells ye?
boohoo :{ they're magnets I know...but they're good magnets!
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|Simple:
Requires:
1 small-ended phillips screwdriver
1 dead or useless hard drive
Results: 2 Extremely powerful magnets (Will break your finger if you are not careful)
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|nothing beats free, tooless design too! mags are 2mm x 5mm apx of course...hmm, I don't think my hd mags will be as small.
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|They scratch the hell out of the fridge, too. ;)
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|http://free.aol.com/trya...13724&promo2=699984 is where you can get aol free NOW not in september
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|Black-Wolf,
Back in the old days, everyone was a kid, but we all had to grow up sometime. Very childish comment!
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|Yeah I know, but I just had to bring it out. :)
Still, AOL sucks today.
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|Even if they make it FREE, I don't think I want to go for it anyway. Back in the old days, I remember ppl used to call AOL users losers. :)
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|"Back in the old days, I remember ppl used to call AOL users losers. :)"
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Back in the old days for you was probably a year or so ago judging from your childish comment.
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|Yes, you can use can use your existing AIM names to use the service. I think they'll give you an aol.com screen name with your existing aim. You will have both an AIM and AOL name. You will be able to check both on the AOL 9.0 mail client service.
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|I tried to sign up for the free service and once they ask for a screen name, I type my AIM screen name in and it says not availiable. I was never asked about my AIM screen name. I signed up by going to www.aol.com and clicking on the many advertisements they have up about their new service. Has anybody succesfully got their AIM screen name to work with the new Free AOL service?
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|Yes
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|How did You make it?
Can You describe?
Thanks in advance.
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|Does anybody know of plans for AOL allowing people with their exisiting AIM Screen Names to use their AIM Screen Names with the FREE AOL service?
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|They will fail at this too.
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|Now that they aren't so concerned about their pockets maybe they can make decent software. Something besides the bloated, buggy, insecure, spyware plagued crap that they've been pushing for years will be nice.
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|Great idea! AOL can now work on improving their software. Proud user :)
You can uninstall what you want after installation. I know, stupid! As far as it goes with the stuff left behind. AOL created AOL Cleanup that goes behind the uninstallations and removes junk files.
Broadband users like myself,
I found it faster to disable the topspeed feature in the settings(Enabled by default), to make my browsing at normal high speed.
It seems something has lit a fire under Microsoft and AOL to make 'em wake up and realize what's going on. Now, we have to wait and see what both giants will do :)
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|I somehow transitioned form an AOL email account to a free AIM email account with 2 gig of storage for free.
My primary use for AOL was in dial up from out of USA trips that I made on a monthly basis (primarily to EMEA). AOL provided the best service out of USA for me and at a very reasonable price.
I have been using the internet since the days of the Source in the early 1980's. What dramatic changes have transpired to this day and age. The exciting changes to how we communicate will be seen in the next logical jump to wireless.
What a fun time it is for the users of this technology.
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|I did managed to signed up because it's free. After I installed it and restarted my computer, I decided to get rid of it. It install too much other craps. Why can't they let people choose what to install install of install all those craps? After install, their s***s are all over my desktop. It's like a virus that about to take over my computer. No wonder they are losing customer everyday.
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|AOL was great when there were only a few providers. But as many have already stated they are notorious for spy ware and their program is quite cumbersome for a web browser. My thoughts are too little too late. The twilight of their golden times is here. There are too many providers of better services and the advent of wireless is the next wave as I expect it to be free for all some day.
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|FREE ?? AOL couldn't pay me to go back. Just what I want and need more spyware and tons of spam.
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|FREE ?? AOL couldn't pay me to go back. Just what I want and need more spyware and tons of spam.
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I probably get a piece or two of spam every other week or so, total and I get a lot of e-mail on 4 different AOL accounts. Spyware? Show me a provider where you're not going to get some spyware. A Mac, maybe.
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|He means spyware originating from AOL itself.
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|You people who believe AOL actually delivers spyware to its users are left in the dark about what actually is going on.
How about finding another fault that AOL has besides the false spyware opinion you have.
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|I think he meant originating from AOL accounts. Not the service.
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|No, ALL AOL software is spyware. It keeps track of everything you do even while the software is not in use.
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|You know that because mostly everything is web based now, you don't necessarly need the 9.0 software.
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|"He means spyware originating from AOL itself."
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"He" does, eh? Name one.
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|"No, ALL AOL software is spyware. It keeps track of everything you do even while the software is not in use."
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You really don't know how ludicrous your statement sounds, do you?
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|I actually agree with you there, that was pretty dumb.
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|No matter what you think, the truth remains that is is all spyware. It tacks what you do on your PC, ergo spying on you.
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|Is it not only spyware if it does so without any notification, and without the users consent or knowledge?
The fact that this in *any* way defends AOL is making me ill...
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|It's doesn't matter that it is in the EULA or not, it's still taking info and sendign it back to someone that has no business with it.
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|Ok then, back up your statement that AOL tracks everything you do and sends it off to someone.
My defense is that it does not. I track what goes in/out of my computer and I'm seeing absolutely nothing suspicious.
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|So you are telling me that your AOL software never connects to AOL servers? You ****ing retard!
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|It's a good move, but AOL is nototious for spyware and they are the main target for spamers.
AOL is not the only ISP that has spyware in their software. So it's Verizon, Earthlink, PeoplePC, etc...
If you want to use AOL, don't ever install their software. I know they try to make it easy for novice users, but they are not honest at all at what's being installed and when you try to uninstall their software many modified files (bugs) are left behind that mess up the OS. Call customer service and ask them for the tech details in configuring IE. If they refuse because they don't know what are you talking about or they insist that you should use their software, then don't worry about AOL. There are many other ISPs that will gladly help you so they can get your business.
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|Verizon doesnt install spyware...it installs unnecessary apps...but spyware? no...plus its not necessary to even install the verizon software either..the software is for people who are too stupid to figure it out on their own
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|the software is for people who are too stupid to figure it out on their own
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Uh huh.
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|Good move.
This move will help them retain the users that are currently subscribed and will help regain users who left AOL due to the $25/month charge...meaning they SHOULD see an increase in the userbase of the AOL Client Software.
In terms of other AOL products...eh...doubtful. Most of those softwares outside of AIM, is a niche software and will only make a minor dent at best in their targeted markets. Cant change that.
Take AOL Explorer for example. Its just another front end like Maxthon and Avant, and even those products struggle to get a userbase. So I cant see a large number of people using this ALREADY FREE product anymore than it is used now.
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|There is no way I will ever put an AOL disk in my computer. It takes too long to remove all the spyware and toolbars left behind
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|If their software hadn't been like a virus you couldn't get out of your computer, things would have been different. People bought new computers and didn't want to infect the new one with the AOL viral software.
This should be a lesson for software companies who think they need to make their software 'sticky' to keep customers.
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|I've already swithed to the zero-dollar price plan. No dial-up and no tech support, but everything else stays the same. Why wouldn't you take this for free? The number to call is on AOL.com.
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|You can also get a bunch of garbage of the street for free, but you don't want it do you?
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|I dislike it when people judge something before trying it. We can all agree AOL had its faults in the past, big time, but if you've tried them recently: they've actually come a long way. Yahoo! for instance, doesn't offer unlimited photo storage, or (now) free virus scan and firewall software.
I don't want to start a big argument or be called an idiot: but give them a second chance. If you check out all their services, you'd be surprised how far they've come since even a year ago.
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|I dunno, my current FreeBSD computer and my Mac are garbage i found on the street in NYC, and they are pretty good. just needed to have the pennies removed from inside...
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|That job at AOL must be going well for you...
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|I bet it pays more than you've ever made.
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|"Yahoo! for instance, doesn't offer unlimited photo storage"
You would be surprised to know that Yahoo does offer unlimited photo storage.
From Yahoo Photos: http://help.yahoo.com/l/...s/adding_photos-20.html
No, there's not. Upload as many photos as you want! Your Yahoo! Photos account includes free, unlimited storage. There is no limit to the number of photos or albums you can store online.
To ensure that your photos are safely stored for as long as you need them, be sure to sign in to your Yahoo! Photos account at least once every six months. If you do not visit at least once every six months, your account might become dormant and your photos could be deleted. We will notify you via email if your account is at risk. Find out more about our dormant account policy.
Itching to swap photos? See all the fun ways to share photos on Yahoo! -- from PhotoMail, Messenger, and 360° to your mobile phone and more.
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|Nothing has changed, they still have crap spy and adware software for pedophiles and psycho freaks, it's just cheaper/free. What is there to give a second chance to?
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|yeah...you should read more...the software is getting an overhaul in favor of the streamliner service which looks pretty nice (dont know if it'll install "mystery" apps though yet...)
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|"Nothing has changed, they still have crap spy and adware software for pedophiles and psycho freaks, it's just cheaper/free."
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Fer Pete's sake, what websites do you visit? Oh, never mind. It was a rhetorical question and it's laced with a bit of sarcastic humor.
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|Wait...
Does Yahoo operate as an ISP?
Seriously, if they do, I didn't know about it...
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|You should learn to read; "The switch to a free service is a real gamble for AOL -- the company is expected to lose about $2 billion in subscriber revenue as a result of the move, which must be made up in advertising"
Ergo adware, and everyone knows that AOL only makes spyware.
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|Ok. Sorry for the mistake. I haven't been to Yahoo Photos for a while and didn't know they changed. My friend had a Yahoo Photos account earlier this year and at that time they had a very low limit.
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|lol...
I guess Yahoo SBC DSL *could* be considered an ISP, but Yahoo's actual involvement in the connection seems non-existant, at least as I understand it.
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|there software, as with many others are to big, and very buggy,
i don't touch there CD software at all, but i do have there broad band service (going through my router), and man there service is brilliant, in 3 years they have never gone down once, not once,
also i feel that i should mention that they deliver what they say on the box (2mb download speed) and i get 2mb download speed, 24/7, unlike many ISP claims, AOL really do deliver, and there reliability is 100%, but there CD i don't touch with a barge poll, in fact i don't even have a AOL CD, all done through my router, and i couln't be more pleased with there service.
there software reminds me of Symantec norton software, to big, to hungry for resources, and way way too many files being installed, with that many files and dll's and god knows what else, how can anyone one keep up with there bugs they have,
which is why i use Symantec Corp products, more reliable, only a tenth of files being installed, and a very hefty price, but you pay for what you get right?
AOL Service is 110%
AOL Software (Really BAD, but i can't rate it because i never use it)
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|Unlimited photo storage. Now there's something the world just can't live without. How generous of them. Now let me se if I got this right. They are going to LOSE 2 Bilion dollars with a "B" by making this move and they are going to put more effort into making a better system????? If they LOSE 2 Billion .....where they getting the money to pay the programmers for the years it will take them to clean up the mess they already made? Oh and one more question .......Why do you think that AOL gives you the AOL software itself to put on YOUR PC when 90% of other ISP's retain the main system on their own servers? Does AOL not have faith in their own products? Just a thought to ponder.
Now to defend them somewhat ....AOL NEVER has distributed spyware or software that contains spyware, malware, grayware or other such trash BUT AOL customers are one of the biggest targets of such crap. Ever wonder why? If you are willing to install AOL free or otherwise on your PC then tere is a good chance you wil NEVER know why AOL customers are targets.
Suppose AOL Succeeds and gains a slew of new customers. I am betting they are going to be totaly shocked when a few years down the road AOL announces how it cost them a ton to operate their litle system and they MUST start charging for the use of their service. $49.99 a month. In an efort to raise revenue to hire programmers to create a "SAFER and MORE SECURE INTERNET BROWSING EXPERIENCE."
I know lots of good folks that have AOL. I used to work for AOL. If some of you like AOL then are happy with it then by all means keep using it. But know this ........People who work in networking and the computer bulding and repair business do NOT use AOL as a general rule. AOL has problems. Their Beta programs are their wayof getting you to be their guinie pigs and do their product testing for free. It cost AOL very little money to test and debug their own software. All they have to do is sit back and listen to the beta testers as they find the bugs for them. So you work for AOL and get paid zip.
Oh and who ever put AOL and Microsoft in the same class as Giants ........... AOL is a BB. Microsoft is a bowling ball.
Ok enough. If you like it......use it .....if ya don't then do like me .........run as far from it as you can get. And stop with the crap about how much better AOL is compared to past years. You can paint it what ever color you want and it is still AOL. The same AOL it was years ago and FREE unlimited storage for your photos does NOT make it beter.
Have a nice freekin' day.
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