As some, or all of you may be aware the prices for AOL are set to increase. Now this disturbs me.
Anyways, my question is…if we switch to another ISP, can we still gain access to FAOL using the AIM feature ? Anyone ?
You won’t be able to use the ‘AOL browser’ or any of the AOL ‘features’ on the internet. That being said, there is nothing to worry about. You can still get to everything you ever have, and the sites will be just as fast, and they will be viewed better. They will be more as the designer intended. Oh, and more of the funtionality will work properly. 
Really, it is a good thing. It may be different at first, but once you get used to the difference, you will probably find you actually enjoy the internet as a whole much more.
Don
(AOL free since 1996. 
)
[This message has been edited by drolfson (edited 15 February 2006).]
I am in the hinterlands of Michigan and use a satelite connection. My home is networked and I do consulting and project management from home. Our browser is Yahoo. I am not promoting the company but it has been very user friendly for my wife and I and not let us down. Quite a few friends and associates are jumping ship from AOL for various reasons and have choosen a varity of different providers. None miss AOL I am told and do not have any nighmares or unusual experiences with the new companies. Good luck, Jonezee
leaving aol is your forst step to a better internet. just remember that you will need a new virus scanner and pop up blocker.
i would suggest using avg virus scanner as its free with free updates.
It’s been many years since I switched from AOL to Earthlink. I’m pleased with Earthlink, but can’t compare it to any other current ISP.
Earthlink (and I suspect other ISPs) will make it pretty simple for you to switch over. Earthlink also offers lots of sortware features and services like spam blocking (set it on medium, not high), pop-up blocking, virus blocking, etc.
Don’t make the switch until you are sure you have a browser on your computer other than AOL’s. It probably has Internet Explorer. I prefer Firefox, which is a free download.
Also be sure you’ll have an e-mail program that runs independent of AOL. The biggest hassle of switching over is notifying people of your new e-address. There are programs tht will automate this for you. Earthlink includes a free program to do it.
Make sure you back-up your e-mail and your favorite websites folders just in case. Make sure the new ISP is working properly before you cancel AOL.
Be sure to add in any software types that AOL was giving you like anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc. if they are not provided by your new ISP.
I think you’ll be happy you switched, especially if it saves you money.
ok remember that 99.9% of internet users DONT use and have never used AOL or yahoo. US ISP are a mere drop in the bucket in the world of internet and computers. Although you can have a browser which is has advertising for your isp, you can do what most do and have one without. There are many types out there and the most commonly used would be internet explorer, Netscape, Mozilla firefox and opera. These are the most common but there are undoubtedly more out there. You dont buy them, you can download from the internet.
As someone said, it is very important that you have a good antivirus and firewall, use the window firewall if you are using a MS operating system and a good reputable AV program. I cannot recommend the one I use as its not available for public sale.
MrsKnepp
You didn’t say if you have DSL or not. Your Internet connection speed is governed by the quality of your phone lines with dial-up.
You might want to contact your phone company and see if they offer DSL service (You’ve probably do this already).
I live “In the Boonies” and will never see fiber optic lines run to my home. My new ISP, mwconnections, installed a dish in my back yard and I connect 10 to 15 times faster now. The service is not as inexpensive as those offered by the phone companies.
Thank you for the information, gentlemen.
Jo stated to use Windows firewall prog, I wouldn’t use it as it is so full of holes, use zonealarm, free to download.
Born to fish, forced to work.
my experience with a number of users who are in essence technophobes, is that zone alarm frustrates and scares them. That particular program keeps me in green dollars and workshop favours.
MrsKnepp, if you do not have AOL but do have AIM, the AIM today feature will get you access to FAOL…
I haven’t had AOL for many years now. They amaze me at how well they can convince people that they are the only isp that is easy to use.
They are very expensive compared to everyone else. YOu will be happier when you switch. My .02 cents.
Hmmm. More expensive. Not as functional as others. People mistakenly think they need it. Hmmmm.
Is there a life lesson here?
Jim
I use Verizon (not advertising) and love it cost is the same as AOL dial up and I have dsl.If your stuck with dial up you can get it around $10 but you’ll need to supply everything yourself (pop up blocks antivirus email program ect.)Just start shopping.I was suprised when they offered DSL in my town,5000 population, in rural Illinois but they offered and I JUMPED QUICK!!!
I agree with the majority about AOL.I havn’t heard of any OTHER ISP being hacked and all the credit card info being stolen.
But then this is just my 1 cents worth!
Dennis
Jo…“ok remember that 99.9% of Internet users DONT use and have never used AOL or yahoo.”
That surprises me since I thought that AOL only survives because they convince newbies that they are the way to go and then people are reluctant to change…and the few new computers I’ve gotten had AOL already installed…one of the first programs I delete and never look back.
if AOL was a fly it would promise everthing, but you would recv a bare hook.
My experience with Mozilla Firefox has been extraordinarily good. No popups and no advertisements ever.