Re: aol bashing and tips

[shields@tembel.org (Michael Shields)]

> - If you use AOL a lot at prime time (4-11PM) then you might
> want to look into finding a local ISP that is cheap (something
> like erols, att, or a mom-n-pop) and access AOL over TCP/IP.
> This will cost you about $10 more a month, but assuming your
> ISP is not busy, you will connect every time.

You can actually save money this way if you've been dialing long
distance or using the toll-free modems.  I'm pretty sure AOL has a $9.95
"bring your own access" unlimited program, so it starts to look pretty
reasonable.  That way you get the AOL content and a better dialin service
as well.

I'll refrain from commenting on Erol's specifically and their $8.25
long-term pricing schemes... suffice it to say that I would avoid using
a cut-rate provider or one run by your phone company, unless you're
just looking for a backup or secondary and don't care too much about
the quality.  Sort of like having a beater car.

For what it's worth I think http://www.crosslink.net would be a good place
to look if you're anywhere in Maryland or Virginia (rural areas included),
but I am pretty strongly biased because I run the network there.

AOL is still the easy-to-use high-content way to go and half my family
has AOL accounts, so it's not a bad choice.  But everyone is struggling
with how to have enough dialins and make a profit too.
-- 
Shields.