Hi James, you ought to know that out of the 207 posts I had to go through tonight that were posted today, yours was the longest (I think by a good margin -G-); However, I read the whole thing!
It looked like DU got under your skin a little; he was obviously "shooting from the hip", and I think you've shown that you do know quite a bit.
However, I would like to point out to both you and David U that of course the main thing that differentiates AOL from "no-frills" ISP's is just that: A regular "on-ramp" ISP is no-frills, whereas AOL is constantly referred to as a content provider, versus an on-ramp. That's the difference that they work hard to show their customers, anyway, and that content is why they are so popular. I know someone who has bounced back and forth between AOL and straight "on-ramp" ISP's, and the truth is, he wants very much to permanently move back to AOL because of the content. Right now he's back at an ISP, only because of too many busies. Technically speaking, I don't know if an AOL user who clicks on "web-access" has a direct connection or not like you say, but what does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? From a customer's point of view, it's not the customer's concern or problem if AOL is hogging more than their fair share of the internet "pipe".
It seems to me that when AOL has 56Kbps running full-tilt and their servers upgraded (to for instance some Compaq Proliants - a shameless plug for another stock I own), the customers will be there. It's been my observation that while the average consumer is as loyal as an alley-cat, that lack of loyalty works both ways. If Joe/Jane internet user feel like it, they will dump their ISP that they moved to when AOL had crowd problems, and just as quick move right back to AOL, if that's what they want to do.
I know you said you would take your AOL talk to the AOL thread, but I made no such promise, and AOL has tied at least some of USR's future up with their own. It is in USR's best interest to see AOL succeed, so they can come back and buy more and more and more modems. It's a big world out there after all. BTW, did you know that AOL Europe is expanding as well? Yup, you can get AOL right in Stockholm, Sweden, for instance.
Dwight |
