Technology Watch

AOL 
The good, the bad, and the ugly

Using their very own television ads, here are my critiques of the AOL advantages:

1. AOL -- everyone is doing it and so should you! 

Generous numbers indicate that AOL has approximately 30 million users world wide. Compared to the 400+ million Internet users world wide, it's only seven percent of users.

2. AOL -- It's so easy! 

Well, I could write a book on this one, but again, the reality is that AOL help lines are more crowded than all other ISP's combined! And to add further insult, AOL tech support people are supposed to keep tech calls to the shortest time possible and then try to sell you long distance or some other lame item at the end of the call!

3. You've got mail! 

Not only is that poor grammar, but the mail is pretty poor as well. HTML email, long a standard in the Internet arena, is just now starting to make it's way to AOL users. Also, AOL email addresses remain the number one target for spamming operations.

4. You've got pictures! 

Or at least MIME files...if you can find them. When pictures come across on email, they work fine. However, if an AOL user receives more than one picture in a single email, then the potential for trouble climbs. Because of the proprietary formatting of email in AOL, many attachments are not properly handled on the user's end and therefore become unusable files...unless you know what to do with them.

5. Everything you need is right here! 

True, AOL users can click on Sports, Weather, Finance, etc right from the start screen. But did you know that this information is all AOL content either deriving from them or content providers paying AOL to provide the content?

6. I can search for anything! 

Not quite...if AOL user's use the "keyword" form of searching, then searches are limited to AOL paid content only.

7. I can chat with my friends! 

Yes, you can, but so can everyone else in the Internet world. And yes, Dorothy, anyone can use AIM (instant messenger) for FREE without AOL!

Here are a few positive's in the AOL world:

• Multiple screen names and email...the whole family can have individual settings and email...although only one person can be online at a time. (this can be done with a normal Internet provider as well using a service like Yahoo! email or Hotmail.)

• Ubiquitous availability of access. AOL can be accessed via a local call from many cities around the world.

• Internet email. Finally, AOL has given its users the ability to check and send email from any computer connected to the Internet world wide. (The rest of us have had this feature for years). 

In the upcoming installments, we will talk about AOL alternatives, improving the performance of AOL and hints and tricks to make AOL more friendly. Stay tuned!

We've mentioned that email is probably the weakest leg of the AOL empire...when sending or receiving to people outside the AOL network.

To lessen the problems of receiving email from outside of the AOL wing, try these tips.

• Download and purchase the PowerMail add on 

• When subscribing to newsletters or lists, request plain text only delivery

• Create a shortcut on your desktop to the AOL download folder to easily access and mange attachments

  • Double-click on My Computer

  • Double-click on the "C" drive

  • Double-click on the AOL folder

  • RIGHT click and drag the Download folder to your desktop and then select Create Shortcut Here from the menu that appears

• Get a copy of the program WinZip to help decode MIME messages or type in the word "MIME" into the AOL keyword box

• Remember that you can now access your AOL email from any computer in the world by going to www.aol.com

• Consider getting a free web based email like Yahoo or Hotmail and have your AOL mail forwarded to it

Working the Internet using AOL

When AOL users search the "Internet" using the AOL search engine or "surf" using the news, sports, weather, etc buttons on the main AOL screen, they are not truly using the Internet. This content is all considered AOL content. 

To reach and work the web using AOL, follow these guidelines:

• Get familiar with some good search engines and add them to your AOL favorites (Google, Yahoo, Metacrawler are a few to start with)
• Create your own customized start screen (web portal) using Yahoo, Iwon, Excite or NBCi and add it to your favorites
• If you have trouble logging into some secure shopping or online trading web sites, log on to AOL, then Click on Start --> Programs --> Internet Explorer and use the standalone browser 
• Make sure that you use your Favorites feature to keep track of the gems that you find on the Internet (Click on Favorites, then Add to Favorites from the AOL toolbar OR click on the little heart in the upper right corner of the window)
• If your connection seems slow after being online awhile, click on Window from the menus and see how many 'windows' are open within AOL and close any that you aren't using
• For maximum visual comfort when using AOL, use at least an 800 X 600 screen resolution (preferably 1024 X 768 if you have a 17" monitor or larger)

One of the number one reasons that I get from AOL users on why they choose to stay with AOL is the instant messaging. AOL's Instant Messenger is available to anyone with Internet access for free regardless of who you use for Internet access. Keeping that in mind and the recent almost $2 rate increase, here are some AOL alternatives that we recommend:

NetZero

Juno

Qwest Internet

Earthlink

PeoplePC

Local ISP's 
(check your local yellow pages under 
Internet Providers)

Any broadband options you may have.

None of these services exceed $20/month and they all provide the entire Internet directly to your desktop.

Call us on Saturday mornings with your thoughts and comments about this new feature.

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