After enduring eight years of “two cans and a string” Internet connections via AOL (AOHELL is more like it), I recently became an adult, got a High Speed cable modem and went totally pro with the email. It’s been a total bitch weaning myself off AOL (like a dysfunctional relationship you can’t quite leave) and spending hours and hours reconfiguring my new Internet set up, replacing email preferences and getting all of my email accounts to go into Outlook, but I can already see it’s so worth the small hassle, if only to reap the HUGE rewards of email that actually arrives and the ability to filter hordes of viagra spam.
Here are some reasons why AOL SUCKS
1. NO support for the Mac (i.e. no software upgrades past 5.0, no AOL for broadband unless you have OSX).
2. Dial up service fastest connection speed: 38.8
3. Three minutes to download email
4. Three minutes to send an email, only to get an error message “Our host computer cannot process your request.”
5. Inability of the AOL web-browser-from-hell to recognize the Flash plug-in.
6. Getting booted offline every 15 minutes.
7. Having your account frozen for sending an email to multiple recipients (they can’t stop real Spammers, but they tie the hands of their own subscribers. Smart).
8. More SPAM in my mailbox than at a Hormel meat packing plant.
9. Did I mention their shitty browser?
10. IT SUCKS!
Don’t be afraid to leave AOL just because you’re used to its lameness and ineptitude. If I can make the break, anyone can. You can easily find yourself a Coupon code and get a discount at almost ANY ISP, it’s your turn, take it.
Congrats to Gail for joining us in the real world!
Well,
But – tell us how you really feel?
Don’t hold back!
Other than those comments you
listed- you really love AOL deep
down inside…It's like a great
mytholical parent- just like real ones-
looming larger than life- yet somehow=
not there for us when we needed then!
Good words..Much love, Larry
Time Warner recently dropped the "AOL" from their name. They finally got the message too.
I dumped AOL after being on hold for a mimimum of 45 minutes, every time I called for support. AND, after it was answered, the nimrod on the other end transferred it wrong and dropped in 3 times in a row.
I ended my relationship with AOL about five years ago after nearly missing a deadline. I had covered a U2 press conference and promised to send the article to my editor by 4pm. The press conference ended at 2pm. I was home by 3pm and finished with my article by 3:45. I kept getting bounced from AOL, however, from 3:46 until 3:59. As I sweated, I made the decision to move to Mindspring, which is now Earthlink. I have had few problems since, but I think a cable modem is in my future.
gnarly, totally gnarly.
You’re just being picky. AOL sounds like a regular, top-of-the-line South African service provider to me!
Gail I want to see more posts! More posts! I think you should post a daily piece of dirt about every rock star you've had your picture taken with, including penis size if applicable. xoxo Frank
Gail, you brave soul! Congrats. I have such an attachment to my AOHELL screen name that I haven't changed services yet, but come on, no Broadband for Mac OS9, what tha… HELL!!!
Maybe there should be an AOL therapy support group for AOL-enablers and dependents like me!
Thankfully, I now have a hubby whose on a cable modem with his PC, so when I can, I take advantage of the 2-computer household. But, still, I know, I know, my time has come. With Gail as my role model, I think I should grow up, eh?
Sharon