AOL.COM vs. NETSCAPE.COM, ???

[Buffalo]

First of all, I am NOT computer savvy, at all!!!

I am using AOL with unlimited time service. My computer is old with Windows '98. It costs me $23. 90/month for their service (regular plug-in phone line service). I've heard AOL does not have a good reputation and leaves a lot to be desired. I know very little about this stuff and can't tell if this service is lousy or not. I'm just thrilled that I can get on the TDR website.

I've been seeing comercials, on TV, about Netscape (getnetscape.com) for $9. 95/month. This includes "web accelerator" which, aparently, speeds up the way the computer works. This is, also, for unlimited service.

Have any of you guys had AOL and switched to Netscape? How do you like Netscape? Is it hard to change from one provider, to another? Any thoughts, suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated

Thanks, for your help.

Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[drewRoberts]

the web accelerator thing. . . all it does is load the pictures and other things that remain constant on the web sites you go to. so while it may appear the site loads quicker, its because the pictures and large items are already on your hard drive and are not transferred through the connection.



my mom uses AOL, and when she tried to discontinue her service they threw all sorts of goodies at her just to keep her. sounds a bit desperate to me. I have comcast cable at home for not much more than what your paying AOL and I have a 3meg connection. Downloading files in excess of a Gig or two takes less than an hour



the main thing you have to watch out for is if they have a certian number of hours you can use it. I used to have NetZero a while back, payed $9. 95 a month. after a few months I was droped cause I was useing the connection toooo much. . . in there eyes. so just watch out for terms of usage and make sure when they say it's unlimited access, they mean unlimited access.

 

[JPope]

Some people consider AOL to be a virus You either love it or hate, no middle ground.



When I was starting out, I tried it and when WE had billing difficulties found it difficult to get off the machine but where there is a will there is a way, and when you crash and have to rebuild, using non-AOl disks, it magically goes away :-laf and the AOL technician/billing rep said you could not ever get rid of it :-laf .



Having a nice connection @ work really speeds things up, though when @ home and DSL reached our area, was the same cost, but what a difference in speed.

 

[bmoeller]

AOL is hard to get rid of. Took a co-worker several days. Same thing as drew. Tried to "bribe" their way back.

 

[d906670]

Had Aohell for 2 years, after six month of their blocks started using netscape before Aol bought them out. Had to Fdisk to get rid of them, so not going to even try their netscape.

 

[Philip]

Some people consider AOL to be a virus

:-laf :-laf



It is



My sister has been using AOHell for about 5 years now. I hate it with a passion. It is very hard to remove it. The software can be very buggy. It is slow compared to to other dialup ISP's. It throws popups at you. The AOL search function only works for sites they want you to find.



I could go on but I won't. My sister wants me to build her a new computer. I told her if all she is going to do is install AOL on it. No thanks. She can stay with the one she infested 5 years ago.