AOL = Shit

[Akneigh Wombuster]

Face it. Most of us still with AOL are stuck with it until or unless we
can upgrade our soft- and hardware and obtain broadband. It is
universally accepted that AOL has NEVER employed sufficient
infrastructure to support its total dialup membership. It's a
cost-saving thing, and AOL has never apologized; customer service has
never been a high priority. Hence, we're cut off when the volume of
logons surpass the AOL capacity. With 20 million dialup chumps - er -
"customers," this shameful "support" is not going away.

Due to financial limitations, I'm still using Windows 95 on an
8-year-old HP Pavilion 7330Z PC lacking capacity to accommodate Windows
98, which I'd have trouble affording anyway. So, I can't even switch
to the NetZeros of the world.

Also troubling, I'm unable to print documents off the Internet without
first negotiating AOL's "print setup," which of course is a kind of
cache system for recording one's Web travels. This impediment
(intrusion) is bad enough, but since AOL implemented this "system" a
few years back, I've had printing problems ranging from inability to
print anything off the Internet to inability to correct poor print
quality, including partial pages. I have NO problem printing directly
from Windows/MsWord. I've had my HP Deskjet printer checked out and
upgraded, so it's not the problem.

Naturally, an e-mail to AOL for solutions - if ANY response is received
- results mostly in marketing new AOL "features."

Hopefully, this xmas or 2006 will see me with a new PC and operating
system and I'll be able to cast off AOL forever! Till then, it's "the
connection was lost" and "good bye!" ad infinitum. (Actually, I long
ago switched off that irritating recording.)

[Cliff]

On 23 Dec 2005 08:01:37 -0800, "Akneigh Wombuster"

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Due to financial limitations, I'm still using Windows 95 on an
8-year-old HP Pavilion 7330Z PC lacking capacity to accommodate Windows
98, which I'd have trouble affording anyway. So, I can't even switch
to the NetZeros of the world.

$500 or less will buy you a brand new computer with OS.
$12 per month in savings by dropping AOL pays for this in
3.5 years. Just in time to replace the computer again.

[Animated GIF Man]

On 23 Dec 2005 08:01:37 -0800, "Akneigh Wombuster"

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Face it. Most of us still with AOL are stuck with it until or unless we
can upgrade our soft- and hardware and obtain broadband.

WRONG. If you can dial into AOL, you can just as easily
dial into one of thousands of other ISPs. FYI, AOL no
longer provides broadband access, but rather is accessed
via another service's broadband connection using TCP/IP
option in AOL's setup screen with NO additional software
or hardware required other than that built into Win95.

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
It is universally accepted that AOL has NEVER employed
sufficient infrastructure to support its total dialup membership.

This is also incorrect. While it is true that at times & for brief
periods in the distant past (over 4 years ago), AOL users did
experience dial-up busy signals (requiring checking alternate
#'s for access) it was no big deal to configure AOL to auto
search & try different #'s sequentially & almost everybody did
get online on the second attempt.. I suppose whether is was
"sufficient" enough a number of modem slots depends on
your own idea of what constitutes 'sufficiently' low ratio of
modems to total users. I can only comment on my personal
experience back in the dial up days (as can you) & my own
experience was that I very rarely (if ever) had a connecting
(or staying connected) problem with AOL direct dial up. When
on TCP/IP connection from Earthlink, Netcom & other ISPs
I used over the years, there was *never* a problem. Almost
always, disconnect problems to AOL could be traced to one
of two causes, "line noise' or other problem (fax machine,
multi-split lines to modems & phones on same telephone jack,
people picking up another phone in the house, etc.) on the
member's end of the connection OR due to 'inactivity' on
your AOL session. To provide that sufficient support that
you claim AOL never cared about, they would implement an
'inactivity' monitor to disconnect those who'd connect to AOL
& walk away from computer basically treating their dial up
connection as a 24/7 "always on" internet connection.
After "X" # of minutes of no web surfing, Keyword launches,
email checks/writing, etc. AOL would prompt the user with
the message: "You have been online #### minutes, would
you like to stay online?" with a 'yes' or 'no' option button.
Hitting 'yes' within 10 minutes allowed you another 46 mins.
of 'inactivity' before being prompted again. While they were
annoying, they did go a long way towards assuring that all
modem connections direct to AOL were 'in use' & needed
(or conversely 'available' for the next user wanting to get
online).

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
It's a cost-saving thing, and AOL has never apologized;
customer service has never been a high priority.

Again, this open to interpretation of what you consider
"customer service". For years, AOL has defined customer
service (or rather tech support) as being assuring that the
AOL user can get online with their AOL software, period.
Why should AOL be required to hold the users hand in
determining what other programs or software configuration
may be one's causing inability to connect? Almost every
software or hardware card manufacturer have their own
support forums or dial up 800 free & pay to get fixed #'s.
AOL's only real responsibility was, is & should be assuring
that their own software isn't the problem & that the user
can get online through same.

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Due to financial limitations, I'm still using Windows 95 on
an 8-year-old HP Pavilion 7330Z PC lacking capacity to
accommodate Windows 98, which I'd have trouble
affording anyway. So, I can't even switch to the
NetZeros of the world.

So, let me see if I got this str8... "AOL = shit" because
you choose out of financial necessity (hardly believable
given today's very cheap computer prices) to use what
amounts to a "piece of shit" to access internet? WRONG.

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Also troubling, I'm unable to print documents off the Internet without
first negotiating AOL's "print setup," which of course is a kind of
cache system for recording one's Web travels. This impediment
(intrusion) is bad enough, but since AOL implemented this "system" a
few years back, I've had printing problems ranging from inability to
print anything off the Internet to inability to correct poor print
quality, including partial pages.

You do not state which version of AOL software you are using
on your Win95 system, but starting way back on 2.5 16-bit for
Win 3.x (when AOL first offered its own browser), AOL would
(by default) "compress" web graphics converting JPG & GIF to
AOL versions of *.ART & or Windows *.BMP files as well as NOT
emptying the Temporary Internet Files cache on browser close
for (supposedly) faster web page display. This worked (for a while)
but sacrificed crispness & clarity of web graphics when viewed
within the AOL web browser & over time (as the cache filled up)
eventually *slower* web page rendering (or complete inability to
get to certain web sites or to get them to load at all).

From my archived web-based flavor AOL Newsgroups FAQs:

"I can not get to any web sites or graphics
won't display or look 'blurry'? HELP!!" at:
http://members.aol.com/AGMLiteForU/faq5.html#07

Animated GIF Man answers:
[for Windows (95)-based AOL users primarily]

Several suggestions (and possible causes or contributing factors).
From the top of the AOL main menu try doing ALL of the following:

1.) Mail->Filing Cabinet:
Open the filing cabinet and in Incoming/Saved mail or mail
you've sent, delete all copies no longer required (if any listed).
Under Newsgroups tab, if you read any offline, delete ALL posts
no longer needed. Under downloads tab, delete all history items
from e-mail over 7 days old or file forums no longer needed.
Hit "Manage" button and choose "Compact" from the menu. Hit
"Manage" (again) and choose "Back Up" and back it up.

2.) Settings->Preferences->Internet Properties (WWW):
Several changes to make under this menu (within AOL interface):
a.) Under the (leftmost) "General" tab (Temporary Internet Files):
Click the "Delete Files" button and confirm.
b.) Under "Security" tab for Internet, Intranet and Trusted Sites,
set each to the lowest setting (overriding the default level).
Under "Restricted" sites, move it to "medium-low"
(rather than high).
c.) Under "Privacy" tab (if visible) select "Accept ALL cookies".
Contrary to decreasingly popular belief, cookies are benign
nature.
d.) Under "Web Graphics", choose *NEVER* compress graphics.

3.) Settings->Preferences->Font, Text & Graphics:
Under "Maximum Disk Space to use for online art" reduce it to
ONE (1) mb and click "Save".
*NOTE* the next time you log onto AOL repeat this process for
suggestion # 3 and increase value to somewhere between 10 - 20.

4.) From your *DESKTOP* icon, launch your MSIE program, click
Tools->Internet Options->Advanced (tab) [to SECURITY section]:
X "Empty Temporary Internet files folder when browser is closed".
"Apply" changes and hit "OK" and close desktop MSIE browser.

Sign off and close AOL program. Close (exit) Windows and re-boot.

Remember the next time you launch AOL to re-adjust online art
setting in suggestion # 3 (above).

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
I have NO problem printing directly from Windows/MsWord.
I've had my HP Deskjet printer checked out and upgraded,
so it's not the problem.

See & try ALL suggestions above. Your problem will go away.
I've never seen anyone fail to restore web browsing/printing
ability, beautiful rich web graphics & functionality who have
thoroughly followed or tried ALL these suggestions.

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Naturally, an e-mail to AOL for solutions - if ANY response is
received - results mostly in marketing new AOL "features."

This is actually smart on their part (& you'd do well to
be using the most current version possible for your OS).

Win 95 users can & should be on AOL v7.0 software &
have all web graphics & compression settings set as I've
outlined above.

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Hopefully, this xmas or 2006 will see me with a new PC and
operating system and I'll be able to cast off AOL forever!
Till then, it's "the connection was lost" and "good bye!"
ad infinitum. (Actually, I long ago switched off that irritating
recording.)

And I strongly suspect that the first thing you'll try is to
configure OLE for email & newsgroups (two lamest
options available). DO yourself a HUGE favor & get
copies of Eudora &/or AGENT(or other more full
featured email & news reader client software). OLE
is inherently unsafe as an email client, poorly handles
multi-part binaries in NGs & totally craps out when it
comes to yEnc encoded binaries.

A good OS like XP SP-2 & latest AOL v9.0 SE software
(configured to never compress graphics) coupled with
a well maintained PFC will give you a richly rewarding
AOL experience.

- HTH

--
Bob Hare Jr aka Animated GIF Man
news://alt.aol.tricks Contributor
http://members.aol.com/AGMLiteForU/
***@aol.com
.

[DaveG]

Post by Cliff
On 23 Dec 2005 08:01:37 -0800, "Akneigh Wombuster"

<Snip whinge>


You've just been successfully trolled.

That post is word for word one which I've seen before.

[Animated GIF Man]

On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 20:20:28 GMT, DaveG

Post by DaveG

Post by Cliff
On 23 Dec 2005 08:01:37 -0800, "Akneigh Wombuster"

<Snip whinge>
You've just been successfully trolled.
That post is word for word one which I've seen before.

I did spot the second post (right after posting my reply),
but being it's chock full of good AOL advice, I didn't
see the need to pull my reply from my news server.

Merry Christmas to all.

--
Bob Hare Jr aka Animated GIF Man
news://alt.aol.tricks Contributor
http://members.aol.com/AGMLiteForU/
***@aol.com
.

[TyMeDwn1st]

On 23 Dec 2005 08:01:37 -0800, "Akneigh Wombuster" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:

[ ... ]

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Due to financial limitations, I'm still using Windows 95 on an
8-year-old HP Pavilion 7330Z PC lacking capacity to accommodate Windows
98, which I'd have trouble affording anyway. So, I can't even switch
to the NetZeros of the world.

So you should be grateful to AOL, since without it you'd have no net access?
(Which -- having read your idiot rant -- would be a good thing, in my view.)

[sjohns]

Just my 2 cents: I left AOL back in the mid 90's during AOL version 4. For
those who remember the nightmare of version 4: it had a bad bug in the code
that would cause many IRQ conflicts in the COM ports of Windows 95
computers, resulting in lost peripheral connectivity. Uninstalling AOL and
re-installing the previous version would resolve the problem. Upon calling
AOL support, (now, this actually happened to me) they told me that my PC had
a virus and that I had to scan it. AOL was growing faster than they could
handle incoming phone lines and proper debugging of their software before it
was marketed. Not to mention the thousands of users that still got billed
for a few months after they cancelled AOL service (and had to jump through
numerouse hoops to cancel).

AOL has terrific online content (they are origionally a gigantic bulletin
board system: that is the way they started, I remember), but due to their
past actions, I just don't trust them.
--
Stephen Johns

UOP BSIT 4
440-610-1151
AOL IM: Xfilenerd
www.onlinedatabackup.us

Post by Akneigh Wombuster
Face it. Most of us still with AOL are stuck with it until or unless we
can upgrade our soft- and hardware and obtain broadband. It is
universally accepted that AOL has NEVER employed sufficient
infrastructure to support its total dialup membership. It's a
cost-saving thing, and AOL has never apologized; customer service has
never been a high priority. Hence, we're cut off when the volume of
logons surpass the AOL capacity. With 20 million dialup chumps - er -
"customers," this shameful "support" is not going away.
Due to financial limitations, I'm still using Windows 95 on an
8-year-old HP Pavilion 7330Z PC lacking capacity to accommodate Windows
98, which I'd have trouble affording anyway. So, I can't even switch
to the NetZeros of the world.
Also troubling, I'm unable to print documents off the Internet without
first negotiating AOL's "print setup," which of course is a kind of
cache system for recording one's Web travels. This impediment
(intrusion) is bad enough, but since AOL implemented this "system" a
few years back, I've had printing problems ranging from inability to
print anything off the Internet to inability to correct poor print
quality, including partial pages. I have NO problem printing directly
from Windows/MsWord. I've had my HP Deskjet printer checked out and
upgraded, so it's not the problem.
Naturally, an e-mail to AOL for solutions - if ANY response is received
- results mostly in marketing new AOL "features."
Hopefully, this xmas or 2006 will see me with a new PC and operating
system and I'll be able to cast off AOL forever! Till then, it's "the
connection was lost" and "good bye!" ad infinitum. (Actually, I long
ago switched off that irritating recording.)