I'll be more than happy to start a discussion.
First, I paid the AOL flat fee for a year when it came out. Can't remember how much it was, probably around $200 for the full year unlimited use. Second, I do not use my CSRV account (except for checking once a month my mail, I have some e-mail lists I have to download from time to time, but that's well beyond the monthly fee for limited use, and that one is probably $9.95.
What I am going to cancel is my MSFT account :=)) (or my CSRV) and that one was just to see what was going on, and I never use it. Too lazy, and to far behind the ramp-up scheme in terms of service and easy-to-use interface.
What is important to me is the global worldwide network, I mean to have a local phone call cost when I am in Tokyo or London, to hook to the network (and then AOL charges $6 the hour). But, there, I am no ordinary user I should say.
I bought AOL stocks at $37 (my Peter Lynch approach) and sold half of the position at $71, to get cash for my second RMBS investment at $70.
I think AOL is by far the current winner in terms of vision and installed base (I use mail, sometimes chat, of course, but also Motley Fool, portfolio stuff ,and check the news), BUT a lot of computer nerds from my friends LOVE the CSRV database for add-on software and hacker stuff... For the chat the IRC channels in the wild Internet, that can be addressed by software like MiRC, are a great competition.
I never use AOL internet browser, but loads a Netscape one on the AOL TCP/IP socket. Same for Pointcast (which is killed to me by SI and Yahoo).
May you live in intersting times (chinese curse)
Best regards,
MiB |
