I have been on AOL since the dawn of time. My initial version was 2.0 and now I am beta testing the 6.0 version. Each upgrade wasn't easy, a few were down right difficult and quite bumpy.

The customer service isn't always helpful, but they are polite, especially the phone service. Unlike the online help, the customer service via phone sometimes takes quite a while. At least once I told the techie how to remedy a problem.

The email is easy to use and has several options from blocking certain members from contacting you to all, there are also filters. The other options include embedding photos, attaching, address book, signature, and accessing recently deleted email for up to twenty-four hours. You can also set up automatic AOL to download your email, during these sessions there are many variables to choose from. There is also a PFC which holds email, downloaded file names and newsgroups messages.

They have a favorites area as well, this holds websites for easy access and to send to a friend you just click on the heart with in mail to be sent and select the link you wish to send.

The instant messenger is my absolute favorite feature, it is like talking in real time. This feature coupled with the buddy list is quite useful. You select the members of your buddy list. When the screen name appears and you want to 'talk' just click on their name and send a message. You can also block members from contacting you via IM.

AOL may not be for everyone but it is definitely for ME. There are many communities which are only for AOL members and since this ISP is where I started most of my 'friends' and community ties are here. Leaving AOL is just not an option.



Recommended: Yes