Internet Connection Sharing with AOL

[lpc300]

Hi all,

A friend has asked me to help her with internet connection sharing. She just purchased a computer for her daughter and already has one of her own. I'm pretty familiar with doing this, except, she and her daughter have AOL. Beleive it or not, I've never done this with AOL and I'm wondering if the proceedure is the same, especially with their proprietary startup screen? Also, must both computers be connected on the same screen name at the same time, or can different screen names be simultaneously used?

Thanks in advance.

BTW, the older machine has WinME, the new one WinXP Home. Not sure yet of the networking method. Either USB phoneline sharing or wireless ethernet.

[ssahl]

Because of the fact that the ISP is aol, it will not matter how you do it, you will probably end up having problems. Unless the aol is part of a contract or is free I would recommind getting rid of it. If/when you do network the computers for sure go with the ethernet. (all it takes is a couple NIC cards and maybe a hub box) I dont think aol will let more then one connection at a time for a normal account, but as long as it's not at the same time both computers can use the same account to go online, you dont even need internet connection sharing to do it.

aol on a computer running winME, wow! That would (and probably will) give me BSOD nightmairs.

[TheOldMan]

Are you talking about AOL's DSL service or just being able to use AOL on an internet connection. They are completely different things.

If you are talking about sharing AOL DSL, they definitely don't make it user-friendly. I know it has been done but I believe it is very convoluted.

If all you mean is sharing a dial up to use AOL or use AOL on a broadband connection, it's a snap. AOL is just an application. All you need to do is to stop using AOL's dialer and use the Dial Up Networking in the OS or your normal broadband connection. Set up ICS as you would normally. Then switch AOL to a "Bring your own access" type of account. Edit the configuration to connect via "ISP/LAN".

If there is something else or I have misinterpreted your question, please post back.

Hope that helps.
The Old Man

[lpc300]

Thanks for the feedback. The setup is for a friend and her daughter. Although I have AOL, I seldomly use it, much preferring a couple of smaller, local, less expensive ISP's. More flexability. My friend, however, is not so computer savvy, and AOL is about what she can manage. Her daughter, too. Sounds like, since she has dial-up, this isn't going to work. Don't think suing something other than AOL's dialer will work for them. Too scary. I know, I know, but they want things as simple as possible.

Thanks for the help anyway.

[glc]

No, you cannot use standard DUN to connect to AOL. The only way that AOL can be even close to "shared" using ICS is to manually connect to AOL on the "server" machine using the AOL dialer, then the "client" can use standard Internet apps, you cannot open AOL on the other computer and connect with it because of the one screen name at a time connection restrictions. If all they can handle is the AOL interface, put a modem in each machine, get another phone line, and get a second account. My experiences with people like this are not positive, you won't be able to get past the mindset, if they won't consider switching to a DUN-compatible ISP and learning to use standard apps, gracefully back out of the situation.

[lpc300]

Already told 'em, glc. Glad I'm out of it. Would be too much of a headache when it didn't work.

[TheOldMan]

glc is right. You can not use DUN to dial into AOL's numbers but if they had an ISP, you can automate the connection and get pretty close to it. My experiences with the "pure AOL" mindset have alos been pretty hairy. I think you better off out of it.

The Old Man

[glc]

I'm gonna play AOL user right now - what do I need an ISP for if I have AOL? Why should I pay another $20 a month on top of what I already pay AOL? How do I get to the WWW? Where's my mail? Where's the chat rooms? You mean I have to start another program?

These are the folks who AOL was made for, and why AOL is the largest "ISP" in the world. Leave them to their standalone dialup AOL accounts till they are willing to open their minds to change and cast off their fears of the unknown. I deal with customers like this all the time and let me tell ya - even the ones who want broadband wind up keeping a $9.95 "roll your own" AOL account on top of what they pay the cable or DSL company.

[LawyerRon]

George, you forgot one; "how do I attach a file"?

[lpc300]

I get lazy, sometimes. I have a program called After Connect running. It's set to open both my email client (Outlook 2000) and my browser (Mozilla) as soon as I connect to the internet. Placed a shortcut on my desktop for the DUN to my ISP. I click, I enter my password, I connect, my programs open. Outlook automatically checks for new messages when it opens (and every 3 minutes after). This setup is as simple as AOL. Difference is I had to set it up and I have control and flexibility over it.

AOL does a lot of handholding through things, which appeals to those afraid that they will destroy something. The one thing AOL has going for it, is it's proprietary information, if that's where one tends to go. It's hard to convince someone to give up AOL (especially kids) when places they go are the same places everyone else they know goes.

I agree with you, glc. Until these people get brave enough to recognize that they can't do too much damage unless they try and that 'doing it yourself' can be fun and can make you learn much, it's best to not push them. All you will then hear are complaints (been there).

[ssahl]

You can give these people a little push by telling them aol reads and censours your email.

[glc]

ssahl: Let's not go too far here - can you substantiate that?

[ssahl]

I could, but not without bringing up subject that's taboo around here. How about this, it's my personal opinion that after having service with aol about a year or two ago that I thought that I didnt get some of the email that I should of been getting.