This question goes out to all the members of the AOL cable broadband service.

Are you able to be 'connected' without the AOL software open? Because one time while I was talking to an AOL rep, they said you don't have to be, but then my friend said that she has to sign on using the software, and she can't do anything on the internet without that, but isn't it possible without? And how do you do it?

Oh, and are you satisfied with the service, what's your average down speeds?

Thanks :)
- Shawn

NO ONE ??? :(

Why would anyone use AOL broadband? :D

Originally posted by Nadav
Why would anyone use AOL broadband? :D

Well why not? Have you ever used it? I highly doubt you have, and just because the fact of the ISP being 'AOL' doesn't make it a last resort ISP for broadband. You surely are ignorant, and very stupid.
AOL's broadband is very efficient, can get up to speeds of 1.5mbps. It's not too pricy, if they were, they'd be outta business :) And surely I doubt they are at that point.
So you have TRIPPED and feelin salty all over, unforunately. If only you knew how you are wrong, you would ask for forgiveness :)

Now, if there are any other people agreeing with nadav, please don't stand up for him by replying with your pathetic opinion, CUZ I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR WORTHLESSNESS! :D
Altho, I do want a reply from nadav.

The tightest,
- Shawn

Shawn,
Guess you're right, I've never used AOL broadband. I'm an anti-AOL person, always have always will. I AM impressed with how well they hit the american market.
However, I don't see the reason for calling me ignorant and stupid, it's just my opinion about AOL. Yes, I know you didn't ask for my opinion but it's no reason to insult me.

I Have AOL BROADBAND. IM in the UK, an i have AOL ADSL. I myself contacted AOL to see if it waspossible for me to connect to the adsl without using the crappy AOL software. They said NO. Im still looking into this, because all i need off them is the password and username, to connect to the adsl. They are all pricks!

Matt

Ive used AOL's broadband service before. You can think of it like this. AOL's broadband service, can is just like their Dialup, compared to good ISP's, they both fall very short. You pay $29.95 a month for their broadband, and $14.95(byop) for AOL. You can get a good broadband provider, for amount. The service is is blah, speeds are not good at all, reliability is average, what else would you expect?

Im just about as pro-AOL as one can get. I even worked for them for a bit a few years ago. I have been a customer since 1996, and must advise you to stay far far away from their high speed broadband service. I have never heard a good thing about it. While you may think its a good value, I argue otherwise. Speed is horrible, and reliability is blah. Try going with another provider. Good luck.

TheMMIz, are you refering to the USA AOL Broadband ? Because the Uk broadband is great!

Matt

Thanks for all of your inputs, they're appreciated. :) Yeah, well they are now offering 2 months free of their broadband, and I will most likely take advantage of it, with their Cable.
I'll keep in mind of all what you've said, and perhaps will change to another ISP if it doesn't work out. :(

mcfc > Ohh, they said no? That sucks :( Hmmm... Maybe in the UK it's like that but not US, we'll see. ;) I'll call them up and ask, once again. That sucks that you need the software open, it would be so great if it wasn't required. :)

nadav > Sorry for the insulting. I guess I just have to accept the kinds of people like you, where they hate AOL, and always will hate them, and will never like them like some people do. :( Take care -

Once again, thanks everyone, and I'll let you know how the service is going once I get it, which will hopefully be within the next week or 2. :)

Regards,
- Shawn

I used it when I was down in Florida for a week. I found it faster than my cable modem :eek:

I found it faster than my cable modem
Was it Cable or DSL that you were using for the week? And so would you say the AOL broadband is great or what? I don't see your point :)

Thanks,
- Shawn

I use the AOL UK Service, normal Dialup...

This month I will be leaving them. I've been with AOL since 1997. The only reason I'm leaving is that AOL Broadband is not available on NTL lines. My new ISP, is NTL's own brand broadband which has caused problem after problem.... so I'm definatly an a PRO-AOL customer! For all the stick AOL gets, they have offered me great content, and a brilliant service for years now.

AOL broadband is barely faster then dialup, I have a friend who uses it and its slow.. The only advantage is not dialing everytime you connect.. Your better off getting a cable connection (roadrunner, optonline, comcast, cgocable, etc.) and just signing up for a AOL account without dialup which i believe is $10 - $15 a month.. You'll be much happier.

Did someone mention "AOHELL!" Oh, no! :eek:

Originally posted by Nadav "I'm an anti-AOL person, always have always will"

Nadav, I couldn't help but notice you have an AIM sn listed in your profile :)

You might want to rethink your stance :stickout

Originally posted by Nadav
Shawn,
Guess you're right, I've never used AOL broadband. I'm an anti-AOL person, always have always will. I AM impressed with how well they hit the american market.
However, I don't see the reason for calling me ignorant and stupid, it's just my opinion about AOL. Yes, I know you didn't ask for my opinion but it's no reason to insult me. :

Thanks for the info Fazel. :) Best of luck switching ISPs, glad you are Pro AOL. ;)

Peteny > What?? How is that possible? It's nearly IMPOSSIBLE for Cable to get at only like 4 or 5 kb/sec. :eek: Unless he's on some p2p and the user is on a dialup which he's downloading from or something, or maybe he's at a HUGE neighborhood and all the people on the block have and are using the AOL Broadband. I just can't believe what you told me, just doesn't seem REALLY possible. :confused:

Nadav, I couldn't help but notice you have an AIM sn listed in your profile

You might want to rethink your stance
LOL !!! Yeah I know, it's hilarious to say that to people, I've gotten a few chances before, LOL!!! They are like "oh yeah I hate AOL, I've never used it, but it sucks" - but then they use atleast one service provided by them, LOL!!! :rolleyes:

Peace out everyone -

Originally posted by netacore


Nadav, I couldn't help but notice you have an AIM sn listed in your profile :)

You might want to rethink your stance :stickout

:

Heh, I recently moved to Atlanta, GA and most of the people around me use AIM. it was either using it, or not chatting :)

Originally posted by mcfcforever
I Have AOL BROADBAND. IM in the UK, an i have AOL ADSL. I myself contacted AOL to see if it waspossible for me to connect to the adsl without using the crappy AOL software. They said NO. Im still looking into this, because all i need off them is the password and username, to connect to the adsl. They are all pricks!

Matt

why AOL cant just let their software requirement go I just dont understand.
Yes its easier than configuring your whole PC for the internet etc... when you dont know what ur doing, but having to load their 15Mb program that just sucks memory and disk space is ridiculous.

I for one had to go with AOL for 6 months before i could get away and get broadband.

It let me stay connected most of the time, mainly thru a glitch in the software that didnt disconnect me (also some other software that redialled upon disconnection from AOL was useful)

but the nice thing about AOL is they truly value happy customers and will do anything to keep you that way.

out of the 6 months internet i got 5 months free.

1 - Free First Month
2 - Complained About The Speed
3 - Complained about not being able to connect for 4 hours
4 - Complained for a billing oversight where they charged me £90
5 - Paid for it, hehe (i felt guilty)
6 - told them i was cancelling, was given 1 month free to reconsider.

Then i cancelled and went onto broadband :)

BTW, I actually secommend AOL to friends of mine sometimes.

1 - My Neighbour - hmm, hes getting on (age) and knows ZIP about computers, it was the final straw when he didnt know which USB port to plug his digital camera into, then wasnt sure how to... then couldnt... then wanted help with... (you get the point now)

2 - Workmates, the people that want to know how to get on the internet, cant use a "fully managed" system at work and try sending e-mails to "www.sitename.com" then tell me my system is faulty when it doesnt work.

3 - People for whom I know the internet just isnt gonna work, these people didnt get past the era of pen and paper, and sit in amazement at how a telephone works.

Hello,

I am an AOL Broadband Phone tech and can confirm that you must sign in to the service in order to be connected to the internet.

This is because of the parental controls that the AOL software has. If you don't like the idea of having to be logged into AOL just get RoadRunner, it is the same thing but you don't have to log into AOL (Of course).

Andrew

Yeah, I've noticed to that AOL does whatever they can to keep you continuing with them. :) My dad has complained a few times, and we got a few months free, hehe. ;) I like that in them.

Then i cancelled and went onto broadband
Do you mean a 'different' broadband company? Cuz I thought you were talking about AOL's broadband all along :confused:

Andrew > So there's absolutely NO way to bypass the software to be connected? No hack program for that? Because we don't use the parental controls, and I really don't want to have to have that app open :mad:
Also, if I am away is it possible I will get disconnected? Because xtstrike said he has sometimes, but I really want to be connected always, day and night, whether I am at my desk or not. :)

If you don't like the idea of having to be logged into AOL just get RoadRunner, it is the same thing but you don't have to log into AOL (Of course).
You are suggestion to go with a diff ISP? :eek: I thought reps were suppose to try and 'keep' their customers. ;) But you say about going to RoadRunner, well I would, but then our e-mail address wouldn't be *@aol.com, and the rest of my family doesn't wanna change e-mail addresses to a diff domain. :rolleyes: Would it be at like *@roadrunner.com or something?

- Shawn

I've had no problems at all with my AOLuk dialup .... I get good speeds, don't get disconnected, no engaged tones .... online billing .. online support and freephone support .... all for £15.99 ... its cool :D

Shawn,

"You are suggestion to go with a diff ISP? I thought reps were suppose to try and 'keep' their customers. But you say about going to RoadRunner, well I would, but then our e-mail address wouldn't be *@aol.com, and the rest of my family doesn't wanna change e-mail addresses to a diff domain. Would it be at like *@roadrunner.com or something?"

I suggested that because it is the same thing. If you order AOL Cable Time Warner comes to your home and hooks it up. It is the exact same thing, the only difference is if you have AOL Cable you have to sign on first.

I haven't heard of any hacks but that isn't to say there are any out there.

Andrew

I suggested that because it is the same thing. If you order AOL Cable Time Warner comes to your home and hooks it up. It is the exact same thing, the only difference is if you have AOL Cable you have to sign on first.
Hmmm... I'm not sure if I quite understand you. :confused:
So Roadrunner as well as AOL are both from Time Warner Cable?
And if you add up the prices, they the same? Because you said "it is the exact same thing" - well what do you mean by it? Sorry, I'm kinda lost. But if I wanted it so I don't have to have the AOL software open, I'd have to go with Roadrunner? Than of course we wouldn't still have the Screen Names that we have, right?

- Shawn

Hello,

If you get AOL cable you basically have RoadRunner. I am not sure of pricing on RoadRunner but AOL offers two plans $54.95 (Includes unlimited Dial Up access) and $44.95 (Cable only). The main reason people use AOL Cable is:

- Able to keep AOL screen names.
- Parental Control Features.
- Other security features.

If you are already an AOL member and wish to keep your screen names AOL Cable is the way to go. Having to login is not that big of deal because it takes place in a matter of seconds. Once logged on you can stay online as long as you wish as well.

If you have any additional questions please let me know.

Thanks,
Andrew

Ohh, I see.. Thanks for clearing that up man. :)

Well I do have one other question... I forgot his name, but a dude from the UK is using the broadband, and he says he can only get up to speeds of 40-50kb/sec, but how can that be? I've called them up and asked and they said average down speed is 300-400kb/sec, and that you can get up to 1.5mb, sometimes. But for me, I live in USA, what do you think? :confused: And the dude pays same amount I would have to, for the Cable.

Andy's tight,
- Shawn

There are no guaranteed speeds. They say you should get up to 768 kbps down and 128 up. Now with cable you could get faster. I am not sure who told you 300 - 400 KBps, which is possible but don't expect it. It all comes down to how many subscribers (Roadrunner and AOL Cable) are in your area on the same node.

Andy

I used AOL dialup about 2 years ago for a few months. Besides many problems and tech support ignorance, their browser is just a modified IE browser. So, yes, I've used them, though not broadband. I don't use anything AOL, including AIM.

Chris,

The AOL software uses IE via the AOL Adapter. So whatever version of IE you have installed on your PC that is what AOL uses.

I have no comments on the ignorance of some tech's. Though I will say that they are not refered to as techs but as Customer Care Consultants.

Andy

Thanks Andy, greatly appreciate your time. :)

I talked to my dad tonight, and we are probably going to go with a different ISP, that offers DSL for $45/mo, including free modem, and 768kb/sec down speeds. :)
With AOL's broadband, we just won't be saving any money, but changing ISPs we will by $15 per month, or so.

But anyway... I don't agree anything with what Cris said, because AOL's Customer Support is GREAT! They are friendly, and always help and resolve what it is. And I've used AOL dial-up for about 5-6 years now, very satisfied with the service, but it's time to move on now. :(

Thanks so much Andy, and every other cool people who've helped me. :)

peace out -
- Shawn