AOL software - pure hell?

FunkyT

FunkyT

FunkyT

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Joined
27 Aug 2003
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I recently did a mem upgrade and software rebuild on the following oldish PC:

Athlon XP1800+, 2 x 512MB...

The machine was on my 'test bed' for over a week and working flawlessly. I'd installed the usual AV (Kasperksy) and antispyware solutions...

Anyway, the person it belongs to is an AOL fan and insisted on installing version 9 of their software. He's now experiencing poor performance, AOL hasn't detected the AV and he 'keeps getting attacked by trojans'? :confused:

I'm like, WTF? Can I put this down to AOL's software being a pile of dog ****? :D
 
Thanks dude.

I tend to draw a blank when people as me about AOL stuff as I've not really used it.

How easy it to use standard applications such as Outlook Express with AOL?
 
I have used the AOL software on various systems with various versions (currently on version 9, 4 systems) and tbh it doesn't do anything to performance, I haven't even found it spring a memory leak (unlike Netscape, urgh :p )

If he had like 256/512MB of memory than maybe it'd have more of an effect but it for sure doesn't "attract" Trojans, tho I do have a hardware router between me and the net. If he is having issues like that more likely opening the wrong kinda emails / attachments and visiting the wrong kinda websites, along with lacking Windows updates/service packs and firewall hardware/software.

Infact the only bug I have ever really noticed with the AOL software is that when your running it, it somehow latches onto your network adapter (guess a throwback to dial-up) and it is absolutely impossible to get game servers running over a LAN (though you can connect over the net) while the software is open. It can't do that much because if you close it while on a game or doing file transfers etc it has no effect but the LAN/Net bug thing.. bleh.
 
FunkyT said:
Thanks dude.

I tend to draw a blank when people as me about AOL stuff as I've not really used it.

How easy it to use standard applications such as Outlook Express with AOL?
Click to expand...


outlook is simple to use through imap. theres a guide somehwere to show you how to set it up ill try to find it for you.
 
ants83 said:
outlook is simple to use through imap. theres a guide somehwere to show you how to set it up ill try to find it for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude - that will be useful while I get the user to migrate to a proper ISP :D
 
Most of those problems are already fixed and there is a lot of software that tries to add toolbars and such if you miss the checkboxes, even that by pretty large companies such as Intervideo. The same goes with extra stuff like Realplayer and Quicktime which most systems have anyway.

I don't even use the browser or most of the features and I wouldn't recommend anyone did but I really do think a great number of the issues attributed to the AOL software are actually because of inexperienced users who would mess up their system regardless.

It is mostly those inexperienced users that are attracted to AOL and the "all in one" style packages they offer and be likely to bother using their software.
 
Tetras said:
Most of those problems are already fixed and there is a lot of software that tries to add toolbars and such if you miss the checkboxes, even that by pretty large companies such as Intervideo. The same goes with extra stuff like Realplayer and Quicktime which most systems have anyway.

I don't even use the browser or most of the features and I wouldn't recommend anyone did but I really do think a great number of the issues attributed to the AOL software are actually because of inexperienced users who would mess up their system regardless.

It is mostly those inexperienced users that are attracted to AOL and the "all in one" style packages they offer and be likely to bother using their software.
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I think you're spot on there dude.

I've not spoken to the user yet but I'm thinking that the problem might the AV product within AOL 9 having a wobbly with Kaspersky?
 
I've had AOL over a year now. Never once had a problem with it, I use a router so no need for the AOL software to ever go on my PC.

I'm very happy with their service.
 
Are you referring to the Active Virus Shield with AOL cos afaik it actually *is* Kaspersky, which could explain compatibility issues between the two.
 
Tetras said:
Are you referring to the Active Virus Shield with AOL cos afaik it actually *is* Kaspersky, which could explain compatibility issues between the two.
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Yes dude - I've not seen it personally (only read about it). I'd rather eat my own testicles than install AOL on one of my PCs (or use them as an ISP for that matter) :D
 
That might be your issue then m8 (active virus shield thingy) ;)

Tbh I'm glad most techy minded people wouldn't touch AOL with a bargepole, I like sharing with grannies and the inexperienced, they don't download movies/entire series of tv shows that aren't released, play BF2 24/7, etc, meaning more network capacity for meeeee :p
 
Tetras said:
That might be your issue then m8 (active virus shield thingy) ;)

Tbh I'm glad most techy minded people wouldn't touch AOL with a bargepole, I like sharing with grannies and the inexperienced, they don't download movies/entire series of tv shows that aren't released, play BF2 24/7, etc, meaning more network capacity for meeeee :p
Click to expand...

Thanks dude.

Good logic (I think). Just don't mention to your techy mates that you're using AOL if you want to maintain any street cred :D
 
FunkyT said:
Thanks dude.

I tend to draw a blank when people as me about AOL stuff as I've not really used it.

How easy it to use standard applications such as Outlook Express with AOL?
Click to expand...

Its well easy, i dont use any of the AOL software here either, just made my own connection by using Draegers guide which he posted in my thread here, and i use Outlook for my e-mails, i just followed this bog simple guide here with screenshots to set it up, works a treat, and if i can get it working then anyone can. :D

Never had any probs with AOL at all either, only been on them since beginning of June as i migrated across from Tiscali.

Im on the 1mb silver, and i cant fault the service, the speeds are excellent, i always get about 120k on my downloads whatever time of the day or night, and ive downloaded shed loads, must be into the hundred gb's by now since i got across to em, and its still going strong as theres no FUP nothing, and its 100% Unlimited so im happy. :cool:
 
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