>
>
> "However, I'm curious as to why/how many folks are staying with AOL when
> it's as lousy and frustrating as it is(appears to be) and with so many
> equivilant alternatives available. Or am I missing something important
> through my non-AOL affiliation
?"
>
> OK, so here's my 2 cents: You're right about AOL being frustrating at times,
> but then I hear all the complaints from users of many of the other servers.
> Is any one perfect?
Obviously, since AOL is still the worlds largest ISP(by a long shot -
13.5 million subscribers according to this morning's paper) they're
doing something right(mostly advertising IMO). They do provide an
introduction to the net with an "all-in-one" software package which
keeps things simple for novices. The interface is simple to use and
many people enjoy the proprietary "content". As long as you're a
"basic" net user, it works fine.
Where many people fall out with AOL is when they become a "high-volume"
net user. At one time I was subscribed to 18 email lists and 10 usenet
newsgroups. Managing this volume of information with the AOL mail and
news clients is all but impossible - I was handling around 300 emails
and 2,000 usenet posts a day. It would be impractical, if not
impossible, for me to admin a mailing list from AOL due to the
restrictions of their email client. My AOL-subscribed friends watch in
amazement as Netscape automatically sorts 100 incoming emails into 25
different folders(8 folders for GMC traffic alone).
As long as your needs are basic and you're comfortable with the simple
interface - no problem. When you're ready to stretch your 'net legs -
you'll need something else.
my $.02 - YMMV,
Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto
atri63
The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
>
> "However, I'm curious as to why/how many folks are staying with AOL when
> it's as lousy and frustrating as it is(appears to be) and with so many
> equivilant alternatives available. Or am I missing something important
> through my non-AOL affiliation
?">
> OK, so here's my 2 cents: You're right about AOL being frustrating at times,
> but then I hear all the complaints from users of many of the other servers.
> Is any one perfect?
Obviously, since AOL is still the worlds largest ISP(by a long shot -
13.5 million subscribers according to this morning's paper) they're
doing something right(mostly advertising IMO). They do provide an
introduction to the net with an "all-in-one" software package which
keeps things simple for novices. The interface is simple to use and
many people enjoy the proprietary "content". As long as you're a
"basic" net user, it works fine.
Where many people fall out with AOL is when they become a "high-volume"
net user. At one time I was subscribed to 18 email lists and 10 usenet
newsgroups. Managing this volume of information with the AOL mail and
news clients is all but impossible - I was handling around 300 emails
and 2,000 usenet posts a day. It would be impractical, if not
impossible, for me to admin a mailing list from AOL due to the
restrictions of their email client. My AOL-subscribed friends watch in
amazement as Netscape automatically sorts 100 incoming emails into 25
different folders(8 folders for GMC traffic alone).
As long as your needs are basic and you're comfortable with the simple
interface - no problem. When you're ready to stretch your 'net legs -
you'll need something else.
my $.02 - YMMV,
Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto
atri63The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
