| Author |
Message |
    
davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 619
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 11:41 pm: | 
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I've had AOL so long both my wife and I have our own names as screen names!!
It really does blow for many reasons but particularly because it won't let my Mac sleep!! It forces you to quit the program or it will keep the Mac from napping and my wife who is still using it as primary email (I gave it up years ago) forgets so the computer is up all night, often.
I would pull plug as soon as I can convince her but for one thing--occasionally I need the dialup when traveling.
Are there any reasonable alternatives that allow once in a while usage, maybe pay as you go without the monthly charges/annoying software?
Surf well, all.
David |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5100
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 11:52 pm: |
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I have DSL but still use AOL for a number of hings. Can you use Juno? Or Yahoo? |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7450
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
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David:
A few questions which explore various sides of this issue:
Is there another dial up ISP which would be more MAC friendly?
If you wife is only using AOL for e-mail, couldn't she retain her aol e-mail account even if you switched to a different ISP?
Can you use a wi-fi connection when you travel and avoid the dial-up issue?
Can you schedule the computer at home to close the AOL program at a certain time each day, avoiding the on all night issue? |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1623
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 8:48 am: |
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It sounds like you may have an always-on connection at home, but need the flexibility to dial up while on the road.
Many cable providers and DSL providers offer this option. There's no need to stay with AOL.
Changing your email address is a pain, true. However, the benefits far outweigh the effort involved. AOL sucks. I hate AOL on an almost personal level. It was great in 1989, but it has far outlived its usefulness.
You can still use IM, but you'll need an email account from a provider such as Yahoo or Gmail (I suggest Gmail - let me know if you need some accounts, I will send you the 'invitation'). Don't use the provider account (from Verizon or Comcast), since that effectively locks you into that provider (just like AOL!).
Did I mention that AOL sucks? I meant to - it really, really does.
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ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 533
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 9:28 am: |
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I cancelled my AOL account a couple of weeks ago--they now allow you to keep your aol email addresses, even without the service! (They call it "maintaining our relationship"). |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1625
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 9:30 am: |
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Woo hoo! I hope to have Maplewood AOL-free by the end of the year. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14367
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
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There's a little known secret which is very useful. You can access your AOL mail with a regular mail program such as Apple Mail or Mozilla Thunderbird. AOL has a way to connect over IMAP which is like POP only better. So you don't need the AOL software.
I recommend this for when you are transitioning from your AOL address to a new one. I agree with Case that it is worth the pain of switching email addresses in order to be AOL-free. I also agree you should NOT use Verizon or comcast's email service.
Where do you need to use dialup? I find a network just about everywhere I go.
One way to have dialup is to keep AOL at their $6/month service level.
Check out juno, though it may not be cheaper.
ril, that's intriguing. How does it work?
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Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3256
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 10:15 am: |
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SOAOL!: STOMP OUT AOL!
SOAOLMSO!: STOMP OUT AOL in MAPLEWOOD & SOUTH ORANGE!
SOAOLMSOF!: STOMP OUT AOL in MAPLEWOOD & SOUTH ORANGE, FOREVER!
You'll Be Glad You Did |
gotoffadaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 714
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
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You can get free (limited) ISP from Net Zero and Juno and I'm sure there are more. I used to have a Net Zero account which gave you either 5 or 10 hrs. a month. They even have unlimited service for $10/month and the software doesn't screw your machine like AOL.
NO AOL! NO AOL! NO AOL! |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1262
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 1:49 pm: |
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I use Net Zero at the beach and I love it!
AOL yucky....AOL Bad....
Get a new email address while you are at it...some folks will respect you more . |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 535
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 6:32 pm: |
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Tom,
AOL lets you keep all your email addresses forever, even if you're not paying them anything. you don't need to have aol on your computer--you can access the mail thru aol.com (just like using yahoo mail, for example).
here's the email they sent:
Dear RIL
Thank you for contacting AOL Member Services. We have received and honored your request to cancel your AOL membership....
Since you have been a valued member of AOL, we are providing you with some features of the AOL® service. At AOL.com you can keep your existing email, Buddy List® feature, address book and more at no cost for as long as you like. There is no catch - this is AOL's way of continuing our relationship with you and we know you'll benefit from the convenience of keeping your same email. Simply visit www.aol.com and log into mail with your existing screen names and passwords.
In addition, any stored information in your calendar, alerts and our exclusive AOL® Pictures will also be available for you to use at AOL.com at no charge. You also get on-demand access to thousands of videos and hundreds of radio stations.
On a closing note, AOL has the most comprehensive set of automatic Safety and Security tools available! If you find your new ISP does not protect you to the fullest, please call to speak to an AOL Member Services representative at 1-800-381-4006. We welcome you back as an AOL member anytime, where your security is our number one priority.
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