Aol Dsl

[Colb]

Not sure where to post this, but here goes.

My friend is thinking about getting DSL. He currently has AOL dialup, and for $30 more a month he can get the AOL DSL. I am trying to tell him that be sticking with AOL, total down/upload speeds will probabily be slower than my DSL connection with Bellsouth($49, 1.5MB up/256mb down). He would be paying about $70 for phone and Internet access with AOL DSL, compared to my $49 with Bellsouth. Has anyone tried the AOL DSL yet, and what are their speeds?

[audiyoda]

As I understand AOL-DSL, it's 768/128 and still relys on the AOL cached proxy server so most on-line content is 18 hours or so old. Of course being that the proxy server is faster than a job through the internet, a 768/128 connection would appear to be pretty fast.

-Craig

[Tuf]

It probably depends on the area. Where I live the only provider of DSL is the phone company(Southwestern Bell). You can purchase your connection from them or slew of others including AOL, Earthlink, and I believe MSN. I have mine through Southwestern Bell and am very happy with it. My nighbor is an AOL fan and upgraded to AOL DSL about six or seven months ago.
His connection is about half the speed of mine. He never goes a week without some substantial amount of downtime. I don't know who is to blame but with my limited exposure to AOL DSL I think I'd have to pass. But I pretty much feel that way about AOL dial up as well.
I think AOL has found a way to ruin the DSL experience in the tradition of the way they ruined dial up!

Bill

[morriswindgate]

Tell him to grow up and get rid of the baby toys (AOL content) Once he has been weened from that garbage he will never go back. And if it is important for him to use AIM so that he can practice his profanity typing and impress other dorks, he can still use it. And if he is afraid that he will no longer get mail about home business opportunities, herbal viagra, or hot teenage babes. Tell him to get an Excite or Yahoo mailbox.

[Tunguyen]

aol suck! thats my opinion and if my opinion doesnt count...then just ignore me...really!

but hey, you still have to sign on to aol..which will make the connection slower then it really is....i have charter...if anyone knows that company...its in la california...pretty good....

[RobH]

I have the AOL DSL, it runs at a slower speed than what I have seen my friends run at that use Bell South.Im lucky to see speeds in excess of 800,000 (on a good day).It is spotty,isnt what I would pay for,and yes AOL's content isnt what a lot of folks desire,thats why they only have part of the market.
Would I look into Bell South??-Yes! would I stay away from AOL dsl?? Depends on how well I could handle myself on a computer,how much I needed the support that seems non existant on other carriers (bad enough on AOL),and if I was using the Big Tent that AOl proclaims exists (just another way to sell stuff) you decide.

By the way,I work as a volunteer for aol,and not for the benefits,but the folks.
Something has to be said for the "Baby" content of aol,yes it is for new folk,and thier reasoning is to sell,but I have done the Basic classes for about 6 years and it is wonderful to see a grandma who just bought a computer learn to use the simplist things, and I was the one who was telling her she could do it!

The way I figure it-the web is big enough for all of us----IMHO

[Tunguyen]

Originally posted by RobH I have the AOL DSL, it runs at a slower speed than what I have seen my friends run at that use Bell South.Im lucky to see speeds in excess of 800,000 (on a good day).It is spotty,isnt what I would pay for,and yes AOL's content isnt what a lot of folks desire,thats why they only have part of the market. Would I look into Bell South??-Yes! would I stay away from AOL dsl?? Depends on how well I could handle myself on a computer,how much I needed the support that seems non existant on other carriers (bad enough on AOL),and if I was using the Big Tent that AOl proclaims exists (just another way to sell stuff) you decide. By the way,I work as a volunteer for aol,and not for the benefits,but the folks. Something has to be said for the "Baby" content of aol,yes it is for new folk,and thier reasoning is to sell,but I have done the Basic classes for about 6 years and it is wonderful to see a grandma who just bought a computer learn to use the simplist things, and I was the one who was telling her she could do it! The way I figure it-the web is big enough for all of us----IMHO

actually you are right....aol is like a beginner thingie...and yeah, if i was a beginner..then i would use aol..then i would skip that and jump to yahoo and use their search engine...they have better games too...but i hate sponsored sites that yahoo seem to trick us to click on it....but hey, that buisness..

[Xayd]

Bellsouth is pretty reliable from my experiences, and 256k up is rare amongst telco DSL providers.

There is no compelling reason not to get it if it's available.

[morriswindgate]

If your friend is worried about losing all of those excellant AOL services that are found on his AOL Gateway page, take him to www.hotsheet.com

[Colb]

Thanks for the replys, I am trying to get him to go with Bellsouth since their service has been above par. But I think his mom would want to have the AOL.

Thanks anyway.

[Confused]

Originally posted by Colb_Dog But I think his mom would want to have the AOL. Thanks anyway.

The power of advertising. She probably thinks that is the only way to access WebMD and email friends. Don't you just love it?
Chas

[glc]

You can keep the AOL account and roll it into a "bring your own access" $9.95 a month plan. I have several customers with broadband who do exactly that - the ads sure pop up a lot faster.