Quoting:
If you are thinking about getting AOL, stay away from them!

I can not believe how slow the connection is and how bad the service is. I get around 2-3 k/second avarage from AOL. My cousin just got Earthlink and he is getting 6-8 k/second avarage. That may not sound like much, but with a 180k page (like 5 small 30k graphics and the rest text), the difference is a long wait with AOL. And the dial-up numbers for AOL suck. About 15% of the time they are busy, and another 40% of the time it hangs while logging in. I have a p4 system, and I know the problem is on their end.

To make matters worse, AOL decided they have a right to scan my hard drive and instal software wherever they want. A messege box poped up saying "New Features Being Added", but when I clicked the "X" button to close the program, it would not close!! AOL does this kind of stuff with their programs like the "Welcome Screen". You can not close it, only minimize it.

And after about the 15th time I logged in, the "Database" which initilized when you boot AOL crashed, and I could not logg in. I called and was placed on hold for 40 minuites to be told by a person: "This is sales, let me transfer you to tech help". And then I got a recording which said "we are unable to process your call at this time, please try again later" and they hung up.

If you are looking for an internet provider, do yourself a favor and stay away from these bloodsuckers.  >:(
End Quote

Quoting:
If you are thinking about getting AOL, stay away from them!

I can not believe how slow the connection is and how bad the service is. I get around 2-3 k/second avarage from AOL. My cousin just got Earthlink and he is getting 6-8 k/second avarage. That may not sound like much, but with a 180k page (like 5 small 30k graphics and the rest text), the difference is a long wait with AOL. And the dial-up numbers for AOL suck. About 15% of the time they are busy, and another 40% of the time it hangs while logging in. I have a p4 system, and I know the problem is on their end.

To make matters worse, AOL decided they have a right to scan my hard drive and instal software wherever they want. A messege box poped up saying "New Features Being Added", but when I clicked the "X" button to close the program, it would not close!! AOL does this kind of stuff with their programs like the "Welcome Screen". You can not close it, only minimize it.

And after about the 15th time I logged in, the "Database" which initilized when you boot AOL crashed, and I could not logg in. I called and was placed on hold for 40 minuites to be told by a person: "This is sales, let me transfer you to tech help". And then I got a recording which said "we are unable to process your call at this time, please try again later" and they hung up.

If you are looking for an internet provider, do yourself a favor and stay away from these bloodsuckers.  >:(
End Quote

I tried telling these peolple about it on the PPP board, but noone answered me, lol.

Well, they listened to you, though. And 8.0 is even worse, you know!

Glad somoeone else noticed.

Quoting:
I call it AO_Hell or Almost On Line...
End Quote

ROFL LMAO!!! Almost on Line. That describes my problem 100% What I do not understand is, dosen't AOL realize they will lose customers as other competitors offer lower prices, or people decide to get DSL or Cable Modems? The only thing to get people to stick with AOL would be excellent servcie and a product which works without fustrating the user. Waiting forever to start the program, then having the program hijack the computer so the user has limited ability to decide if they want to instal updates, canceling dial-up numbers so you have to look for new ones, and having super slow speeds of 2k/second when a phone line should be able to get 56k, these are all reasons to tell AOL to go to hell. Maybe the company is switching its focus to the media now that they have a TV station. Maybe the internet was just a tool to get what they wanted.

Quoting:
wow, after reading these posts, I know now why so many people hate AOL!

I've never considered getting AOL, in fact, I would stay away from the big national ISP's all together.  We use a local service, which is nice because if we have a problem or anything we can just walk into the office and talk to someone in person.

End Quote

the problem with all the local isp's (except one) where i live is that they're all owned by the same damn people!  they're incredibly slow, as in "almost aol" slow, and the e-mail service is the screwiest thing i've ever seen.  get this - if you send something to someone with an @att.net address, there's a 90% chance they won't receive it.  i know this because i use at&t and some of my friends tried to send me stuff by the other place...aye.  it's just BAD.

it really doesn't make sense to pay $23.50 to get kicked off the internet every five minutes.  i'd have to recommend at&t for a dial-up service.  (sadly, i'm in a cable-AND-dsl-free zone.)  :(

Quoting:


the problem with all the local isp's (except one) where i live is that they're all owned by the same damn people!  they're incredibly slow, as in "almost aol" slow, and the e-mail service is the screwiest thing i've ever seen.  get this - if you send something to someone with an @att.net address, there's a 90% chance they won't receive it.  i know this because i use at&t and some of my friends tried to send me stuff by the other place...aye.  it's just BAD.

it really doesn't make sense to pay $23.50 to get kicked off the internet every five minutes.  i'd have to recommend at&t for a dial-up service.  (sadly, i'm in a cable-AND-dsl-free zone.)  :(
End Quote

yikes, that sounds bad.

But thats not the case with my local ISP.  I've never had a problem in over 3 years.  The email works great, the price is good($16) and the connection is good.  And like I said, you can't beat being able to just walk into the office, rather than waiting on hold on the phone for 2 hrs.

Quoting:
AOL really does suck. I have even written two anti-AOL song parodies:

http://www.amiright.com/parody/80s/joanjett4.shtml

http://www.amiright.com/parody/2000s/britneyspears86.shtml
End Quote

I parodied " I love Rock and Roll" 2! It was about the same thing!!!!!!!

Quoting:



I tried telling these peolple about it on the PPP board, but noone answered me, lol.

Well, they listened to you, though. And 8.0 is even worse, you know!

Glad somoeone else noticed.
End Quote

I don't have AOL 8.0! I'm getting Optimum Online Very soon. :D :D :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;D :D

Quoting:
Not to mention those annoying "start-up" discs you get in the mail every other week! >:(
End Quote

Use them as clay pigeons, dude 8)

Quoting:


Use them as clay pigeons, dude 8)
End Quote

Actually, years ago when they would mail them in the regular plastic CD jewel cases, I just threw out the CD and jewel case insert and saved the empty jewel cases.  Now that I can make my own CD's, I am glad I saved those empty cases. :)