Thinking of AOL broadband

slojo

Hello everyone - I am fairly new to this great site. This is my first ever post!

I am considering upgrading my stone-age Wanadoo dial-up to AOL Broadband which seem to be one of the best deals at £17.99 for unmetered 512 access including free modem.

Can I do better elsewhere or is this a pretty good deal? I would rather stick with a large company such as AOL than with a smaller one which could go bust halfway through my contract.

Also, I have read stuff about datastream and ipstream, the consensus seeming to be that ipstream is to be preferred. Does anyone know what AOL is?

Thanks
slojo

¨°º_LightWave_º°¨

(in haste)


Hi slojo.....
Quote: Does anyone know what AOL is?...
America(n)..........(ISP)
On
Line

...may be a reasonable deal...but you'll be giving you're money to the yanks, (not me m8)............here's some others: http://www.efhbroadband.com/ & http://www.e7even.com/ ...dunno how good they are....search this forum...(if u havent already)...think there's threads on them somewhere.........and other ones. (No doubt people who want to post more about AOL...will do so :-)


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bye!

Reed_Richards

I am considering upgrading my stone-age Wanadoo dial-up to AOL Broadband which seem to be one of the best deals at £17.99 for unmetered 512 access including free modem.

Or you could stick with Wanadoo and opt for their 1 Meg access with a 2 Gig cap at £17.99 a month including free modem. This might not be suitable if you plan to do a lot of downloading but it would have to be much more than is practiable with your 'stone age dial-up'. Plus, unless things have changed recently, Wanadoo do not monitor, so cannot enforce, the 2 Gig cap.

alanrowell

AOL is a pain in the butt and really messes up your machine. I'd only have AOL as a last resort.

slojo

In what way does it mess up the machine?

alanrowell

It's very invasive with it's own browser etc. I just find it so unfriendly to use

slojo

Is there any way to use their service without using their software?

¨°º_LightWave_º°¨

Yeah...there is sort-of.......its something along these lines I think.

The AOL Dialer


What is it?

The AOL Dialer is a utility which allows members to initiate an online connection to AOL without opening the full AOL client. This allows members to use other programs which require an online connection (such as online games, web browsers, or update utilities), without opening the AOL client to sign on.


Who needs it?

This utility is primarily targeted toward members who use DSL or Cable Broadband service provided by AOL, as well as members who use AOL's dial-up access numbers. Since these connection types normally require you to sign on through the AOL software, the AOL Dialer may be used as an alternative to initiate your online connection.

If you have an "always on" Broadband connection through another provider, the AOL Dialer is not required to establish an online connection.


How does it work?

Once you sign on through the AOL Dialer, you will be able to use any program which requires an online connection. For example, if you open a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, you need an online connection in order for web sites to load. Previously, you would be required to sign on to the AOL client to establish an online connection, then launch your web browser. Now you can simply sign on through the AOL Dialer.

Keep in mind, the AOL Dialer only provides an online connection. It does not provide access to AOL features such as email or Instant Messages. You will still need to open the AOL Tahiti software in order to use these features, or another AOL application which supports these features such as AIM or AOL Communicator.


How do I use it?

After installing AOL Tahiti build 130e or higher, you will see the AOL Dialer icon in your Windows System Tray, near your clock. When you move your mouse over this icon, you will see one of three messages:

- If you are signed on with another service provider, you will see "Connected BYOA"
- If you do not have a current online connection, you will see "Not Connected"
- If you are already signed on to AOL, you will not see any message appear.

If the icon reports "Not Connected," simply right-click the icon and select the Connect option. This will display the AOL Dialer sign-on screen. Any connection locations which you've set up in the AOL 9.0 or Tahiti software will already be available. Simply enter your AOL Screen Name and Password, then sign on. Once you're connected, you can move your mouse over the AOL Dialer System Tray icon to see your connection status.* If you want to end your AOL Dialer connection, simply right-click the AOL Dialer System Tray icon, then click Disconnect.

Should I select Yes or No when asked to make AOL Dialer my default connection program?

By selecting No, no changes will be made to your internet connection settings. By selecting Yes, AOL Dialer will launch and prompt you to sign on anytime an internet connection is required, but not currently available (for example, if you open a web browser while you're not signed online). You can change these settings at any time by going to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options > Connections tab.


What is the AOLDial.exe process and is it okay to close it?

AOLDial.exe is the process used by the new AOL Dialer. It is not necessary to leave this process running unless you plan to sign on using the AOL Dialer. If you're offline, you can launch the AOL Dialer by right-clicking the AOL Dialer System Tray icon and selecting Connect.

...........

Bani_2

Slojo

1. Have used AOL for more than two years with no problems (dial-up, then 512K since December)
2. They have just announced they are doubling the speed for no additional charge, effective immediately for new customers, up to six months later for current users (so you can get it now, but I have to wait!)

Good luck

Bani_2

Have just looked at my reply above.
Does anyone where the "snootchie" banner at the bottom comes from ( its not knowingly from me!)

slojo

Bani - since you use AOL do you happen to know if it is ipstream or datastream?

Also do you use AOL's software or something like the AOL dialler described above?