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Review by projectx 
UPDATED: 141 days ago
member for 5.6 years, 924 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Toronto,ON
 $37 per month (month by month)
 about 3 days
 Bell Canada
 "no caps, using bell lines, cheapish..."
 "support has gone to hell, speed is kinda slow compared to others..."
 "oh gawd, run... as fast as you can... to someone else... other then bell"
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well im getting close to advertised speeds on aol and for the price of 44.95 before tax. im actually going faster then all my friends who r on roger and bell sympatico, so it amazing. itstallation was easy, just plug some things in and ur done, software installs it self, takes a while but gets done. modem took bout 2 days to get to me, and my phone line was set up in a day, even though bell screwed up and put me in dslam (no dial tone for bout 5 hours). aol provides a dsl modem, network cable, usb cable, and anything else i need to get online. the modem they give their customer doubles as a hub, so i save myself money not having to by a new hub. the ips that aol gave me were dynamic ips, so it great, keeps me form being hacked, expecially when aol gave me a free firewall too (mcafee firewall express)
in canada, aol broadband is fast and reliable. espercially in my area, where aol is the 2nd fastest internet provider, if ur useing a diff meathode to connect to aol (in xp its internet connection wizard), its all round great, other then the little problems they have wit bell canada over the phone lines.
------
UPDATE
well still going good, infact speed increased since last update, now im going 2.5mbits, which is close to the advertised 3mbits, but w/e i did hit 3mbits onces, but that was downloading bit for bit [the way linux dls]
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UPDATE 2
since the last update, which was a long time ago, everything has gone down the crapper, yes the speed increased to a measly 4mbps (which i have to fight with aol support for, apparently the max is 5, but my line is crap) the costs have gone down, a tiny bit, but when problem arise (real ones that need thier/bell's attention, takes days to complete, and apperently its not bell's fault (recently having problems with modem, and profile switching, aol submits support ticket to bell, almostly instantly bell calls me regarding my problem, while telling me that he forwarded the request for a new modem for me, but aol is always an answering machine for him, which is where the 3-5 business day delay comes in, at least thats what im assuming)
if my mother wasnt so dependent on her aol account, id switch to acanac.. wayyyy cheaper, better speeds (dont think my line could handle it though) and they have better methods of getting around bell's specialness. managing to slowly weed aol out of my mother system, so taht i can switch over, and not have to deal with aol any more... thier support is close to non existent now. only benefit, getting a US ip while in CANADA, which means i can watch all those US only content on websites.
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Review by Metatron2008
Posted: 1 year ago
member for 1.2 years, 546 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Stockbridge,Henry,GA
Contract price not specified.
AT&T
"It was THE way to use the internet when it began."
"Everything after."
"Dead service."
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I'm coming out of the closet, so to speak, about how good AOL used to be and I hope the mods keep this here.
I used AOL a LONG time ago. I remember signing onto AOL with a 486 100 mhz color laptop in 1997. My friends, and anyone using AOL, were the first ones to experience Instant Messenging, which at the time was integrated into AOL, not a seperate program.
For a long while, you never had to leave AOL. There were so many programs you could use, the chat rooms and newsgroups were excellent, people were actually NICE!
Yes, in 1997 people on the internet were nice!!
At the time, if you downloaded something on Internet Explorer, it downloaded on the page itself. if you closed the page, the download stopped. Another thing AOL had better, as you could download and then use another part of AOL.
But that was then. As the internet grew, AOL didn't. Stayed the same, even the price.
And the customer service became complete crap.
The service is now a sham. I stopped using it in 2002 and back then it had become a sham.
But I'll never forget what brought me to the internet.
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Review by wakka092
Posted: 1.3 years ago
member for 1.6 years, 29 visits, last login: 248 days ago
Ripley,Lauderdale,TN
$29 per month
"100% reliable. Good call alert service."
"Bloatware. Still dialup. Call alert service, $5/mo."
"Just average."
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We've been AOL members since '97. Now, 11 years later, the AOL software is complete bloatware and slows the computer it's on. However, a pro, the AOL Call Alert service is pretty good - you can choose to answer the call on the computer (pretty choppy audio) or forward it to another phone. But now that AT&T has laid out sweet, sweet fiber and our DSL modem's on its way.
AOL is quite a good dialup ISP.
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 Review by Littlem129
Posted: 1.3 years ago
member for 2.5 years, 870 visits, last login: a few hours ago
White Pine,Jefferson,TN
$11 per month
"Really does have unlimited dialup access."
"The bloated software."
"The most reliable dialup that I have used."
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I am a satisfied AOL dialup user and have been for 4 years. AOL has the fastest connection speed of any dialup ISP that I have tried, and I tried several before AOL. With AOL I connect at 49000kbs with a V92 59K modem.
AOL really does have unlimited dialup, you can stay online 1 hour or 10 hours and you do not get bumped offline. There is not any monthly usage restriction as most dialup ISP's have these days. This is the main reason that I keep using AOL for my dialup ISP.
AOL has just recently increased there monthly fee from $9.95 to $11.95 a month, but I still consider that a fair price for true unlimited usage.
The technical support is great whether you are calling the 800 number or using the online chat or emailing for technical support. I have only had to ask for technical support a couple of times in the 4 years that I have had AOL dialup and both times my issues were resolved immediately and I received follow up emails asking if I needed further assistance.
The AOL software is bloated, but you can always uninstall anything that you don't need or want to use like AIM, AOL toolbar and things like that. So there is a work around for the bloated software if you take the time to find out what part of the software is really needed and what part is not.
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 Review by thebombs12
UPDATED: 1.4 years ago
member for 8.1 years, 2033 visits, last login: 62 days ago
San Francisco,San Francisco,CA
$34 per month (month by month)
about 180 days
SBC
"Many tech helpful support people . Good features, videos, music, broadband content. Networking works."
"It's just the pings @ 100 ms. Few bad eggs techs..."
"If you like content, go for it!"
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First off, I want to say that a year ago I ordered AOL DSL. They sent me a modem right away but the DSL line wasn't installed until... 6 MONTHS later!!. That a terrribly long wait. I hated it too. Thats not all of it. When I go DSL i thought it would have been fast. But no. It was as slow as a 56k modem! I called aol plus tech support. they didn't do much help until i called them numerous times and then finally someone had the brains to answer and help me with the problem.
Update: 12/10
Well I finally got the Westell Dsl Modem Kit. Works like a charm. Finally AOL Plus had done something they wouldn't regret  .
Update: 12/29
I called pacbell. they said they would lower my cap if i had an account with them. they asked if i did and i said no. they couln't find me in their records for my account with pacbell dsl. they said that if AOL CALLED PACBELL, PACBELL WILL FIX MY LINE. note the capital letters, they are key words.
well looks like aol didn't fufill my request. 3 strikes and you're out, aol. i called them again and well, all's well, end's well. they said they couln't lower my cap speed (make my line faster). i threatened to cancel and i spoke with the supervisor. he said in his words "i'm sorry i could not help you today. if canceling aol will suite you then, go ahead and cancel aol."
i'll be damned because a supervior would say such things to a customer.
are you surprised because i was too!
aol: 
pacbell:
Update: 2/8/02
aol: its back up again
speed from aol is 1.5 mbps
remember, if you keep thinking its aol that's screwing you with the speed, you're dead wrong. they actually have no control whatsover on who gets what speed. this all depends on the local telco and how they handle your situation. i just got lucky enough to have one of those nice tech support people who decided to send a work order to get 1.5 mbps. Then the guy came and he in turn had to get his supervisor's approval, which was easy and he approved it anyway.
Good luck to all who try to change your speed profile.
3 levels:
- 384 kbps
- 768 kbps
- 1,700 kbps (1.5 mbps)
Update: July 2002:
well. for all you people who said aol is not able to function under a network; guess what, aol now does! its called Multiple Screenname Login. you can have 7 different IPs connect to aol, all in the same master screen name account. whoo hoo! all you need is a hub. visit my page: »www.geocities.com/aznmafia415/networking/
Bad Points: Updated - They sent me a USB modem! Fried Like actioncrap. Slow Speeds, Very Slow. Bad Tech Support. Very bad.
it's not like that anymore. now its just the minority of the group of people who are lousy tech support reps. aol no longer sends usb modems. they have been recalled.
Update: October 2002
aol now supports routers as well but they cannot utilize the "always on" feature. hopefully aol will do this soon enough. still enjoying my full 1.5mbps connection.
Update: February 2003
just found out that sbc is doing some shady business. can't discuss it here though.
Update: March 2003
AOL now *FULLY* supports PPPoE via a dial up software. Or you may now use Windows XPs PPPoE client.
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Review by stersource
Posted: 1.4 years ago
member for 3.7 years, 12 visits, last login: 1.3 years ago
Sacramento,Sacramento,CA
$15 per month
"fast easy to use Multiple windows open choice of quote style or none"
"none"
"Oustanding value for the money and SO easy to use outlook is a trash email program"
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SBC global email program is too difficult to use. I hate it after AOL!!!
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 Review by premiumdsl4v
UPDATED: 1.5 years ago
member for 3.3 years, 301 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Houston,Harris,TX
$29 per month
AT&T
"Different points of interest. well known"
"AOL can hurt than help you when you least expect it."
"Been a member 5+ years"
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Was already an AOL member and switched to telco DSL.
I typically have to find my own solutions on my own. When AOL CUStomer Service reps do help, and there are a few who really try, makes the whole thing worthwhile. At least on broadband less hassles. (:
Attachments:
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 Review by OldschoolDSL
UPDATED: 2.2 years ago
member for 3.7 years, 688 visits, last login: 159 days ago
Holyoke,Hampden,MA
Contract price not specified.
about 1 days
Verizon
"They do release their content to paying customer 1st"
"Everything you pay for, you can get free"
"AOL is not needed, unless you are 100% new to the internet"
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My review is on "The bring your own access plan".
America Online (AOL), currently own by Time Warner was the first widely known and recognized Internet service provides (ISP) in the country (USA) and although its still in the lead with the highest volume of home based users, it is quickly falling back as more user friendly and cheaper ISP's become more widely known and available. Currently America Online offers both Dial up Internet (directly through AOL) and Bring your own access, for people who already have Internet access, but may still wish to use AOL.
AOL (America Online) may still have some purpose for those users who are 100% new to the Internet and it does make for a quick learning for those who maybe normally clueless to online life or computers in general. But long term it just is not practical. Party because there are many other cheaper ISP's who now offer the same things as AOL does, but for less and what they may lack, you can also get for free either else where or even through AOL.com itself, such as AIM (America Online Instant Messenger).
Also on a whole, AOL's software has been known to be very buggy and sometime has been known to cause more problems then it is worth having installed. But one can not use AOL, without having their software installed and if you have dial up with them, it must be open at all times to be connected. Which brings up AOL's level of technical support...
At this time I do not know if AOL out sources their tech support or not, but one things is for sure. Most of their tech staff do not seem to know much about the workings of a computer, let a lone their own software. Many times it seems that they are reading off of a pre-written script, which was made to answer general questions and even then, you maybe surprised to be left on hold for 30+ minutes, only to find out that the tech does not have the answer either, to solve the problem at hand. A more advanced user could call up support and begin to supply them with answers more filling then their own staff (believe me, I'd done it).
As a free service and AOL seems to be ever so adding to their free services, AOL has yet still somethings to offer. But as a paid membership, they are highly over priced and lacking support or need for the growing information age. I should add that I was lucky enough to keep the old price, while currently BYOA is now gone up in price, while their support remains the same and so does their level of services.
UPDATE - 08-08-2006 AOL High Speed is now FREE. However, they still want some kind of billing information on file to activate or re-activate an account. One can only hope that AOL does not bill people for their "free service". As a free service, AOL is not bad. It maybe not needed either for those who have grown past it, but it still can be used for the noob at heart.
UPDATE - 09-14-2006 AOL's free service, seems to charge you 1 cent ($0.01) for the monthly service. Which seems not so bad for what they normally would charge, but still not 100% free.
UPDATE - 09-17-2007 - AOL is still FREE and no longer charges 1 cent (0.01). They seem to have added more ads, but that is to be expected. At this time, there is no spyware. Don't use it much, but it still a little fun to play with and its free.
Followup comments:  
AOLOldTimer
@aol.com
| Free AOL I kept AOL because I use it to keep in touch with family. The service also still has the better e-mail with bigger allowances for files for things like pictures, etc. The service, with all of it's little extras, isn't bad. It just tried to stay overpriced too long. | |
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aol user
@aol.com
| aol software I have the 8mb Wireless Broadband Plan for £14.99 a month, which AOL offered for being such a long-term member. Roughly 7years, and previously I had 2mb at £19.99. The new upgrade is amazing.
Free router, even though I use my own Belkin one, easyyy set-up, no hitches, and never had to install AOL on my PC's to access the net. Also have 4 computers connected at once so that "you must have Gold at £29.99 to let additional computers use the connection at the same time" is a load of balls.
One of the best ISP's i've had in terms of a quality connection. Haven't had a disconnection problem for years!
I really recommend them if you know what you are doing when setting it up.
Their customer support is actually good if you are lucky enough to get through to someone with english skills high enough to not need to repeat your phone number 3 times. lol | |
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Review by zenafu
Posted: 2.4 years ago
member for 2.4 years, 566 visits, last login: 32 days ago
Brooklyn,Kings,NY
$9 per month
about 1 days
"Reliable connections, dialer is small and uses very little resources, rarely dropped."
"Well, it is dialup."
"Inexpensive, does what I expect, good until I go broadband."
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The old AOL software I used to to use was a nightmare. It ate my computer's resources, crashed regularly and was as slow as cold molasses. I've been using the stand-alone dialer with no problems for nearly a year. I'm on the 9.95 per month unlimited plan so it doesn't hurt the wallet and when I get broadband soon I will probably keep the AOL dialer service as a backup.
Followup comments:
old and fraggled
@aol.com | 'AOL not responding' 
When I had dial-up, it was great but I have had broadband for a year and I get 'aol not responding' several times during a session.
Why???????????????? | |
| | zenafu
join:2007-06-12
Brooklyn, NY
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: 'AOL not responding' Search google for "aol not responding", there are many forums with fixes for that specific issue. Here's one:
AOL Message Boards
They'll need to know which version of AOL software you're using, when the problem started, what kind of anti-virus program you use, etc.. Good luck. | |
| | | ellenb
join:2007-11-04
Rapid City, SD
|  Re: 'AOL not responding'
| |
| | PickAName
join:2007-11-05
united kingd
| When does it happen (10 mins after logging on? 5 minutes after logging on? always at the same amount of time after logging on ?)
Does it happen when you do one particular thing (e.g. when you click read mail? when you open a web site, when you open one particular web site?)
What kind of error is it? One in an AOL type window, or a Windows type window?
What version of Windows and AOL are you using?
Do the lights on your broadband modem or router change when it happens (e.g. do they start flashing on and off at a constant rate and turn red or orange).
Without that info to narrow it down it's tricky to know what to do but these fixes are in the right direction for that error
Do a PC reboot, make sure AOL isn't open and do this
click start - programs - aol - aol system information (or right click the dark AOL icon at the bottom right of the screen and choose system information)
click utilities on the left and then OPEN on "one click fixes"
Run these fixes (click on the "fix it for me" button)
- Clear Internet Explorer Cache and Replace AOL Adapter
- Rebuild Current Connection Location
- Rebuild AOL Adapter/Delete ACS Files
- Repair ACS
- Quick Restore
Run the first fix, start AOL and try it. If it doesn't work, run the next and then try AOL again etc. Alternatively if you have some time just run them all one after another (not all the fixes, just the ones I listed). If it's only happened since you upgraded from dialup the second one is the most likely one to fix it | |
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Review by amourai
Posted: 3.2 years ago
member for 6.4 years, 50 visits, last login: 92 days ago
Miami Beach,Miami-Dade,FL
$9 per month
about 3 days
"FREE local number for incoming or CHEAP $10 for unlimited international calling to 30 countries"
"Confusing web interfaces; must run on PC; It's AOL; spyware/adware"
"A fabulous deal for Skype-type service. Call quality is ok. Otherwise, average."
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I already have a landline (for faxing and those frequent outages in Florida), a major VOIP service (for most of my calls), a cell and the last thing I wanted was yet another phone service. In fact, I was looking for a temporary or "throwaway" number to use for telemarketers, scheisters, stalkers etc. The best deal was AOL's new AIM Phoneline service -- it's free to get a local receiving telephone number. Unfortunately, it's runs on a PC (AIM Triton software) so it really is a second-line option but it's free or dirt-cheap (unlimited calling to 30 COUNTRIES for under $10!) and call quality if quite acceptable most of the time (acceptable levels of lag, echoing or distortion).
The downsides are no deal breakers but major irritants:
0. It takes about 3 days to make outbound calls after signing-up to $9.95 service as the E911 address has to be verified. You then have to confirm your location on each boot up.
1. Confusing interface. There is the Triton software with the address book, a web-browser "dashboard" and the AOL account interfaces. Instead of one interface, you have to deal with three. To make matters even more confusing, you are automatically signed up on AIM (AOL Instant Messanger) not just phone service.
2. You need to run it on a PC with you own audio hardware. I used a cheap but effective USB full-duplex speakerphone from RadioShack (under $4 for the mini-Vox) but there is no handset dialling and the headphones are a drag.
3. Reliability is so-so. It was somewhat better than the iffyness of the worst of the rated VOIP providers -- Lingo.
4. It may be hard to unsubscribe from any AOL service. I signed up for the month-to-month service but there is no clear way to terminate subscription, nor has anyone replied to my e-mail question on this in 3 days of how to terminate service.
5. AOL surreptitiously installs "spyware" and "adbots" along with Triton (e.g. ViewPoint). If you uninstall Viewpoint, it reinstalls itself everytime you log into AIM so I have disabled them with my firewall but I don't know how it would affect service.
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