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Technology Stocks : America On-Line (AOL) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (11986)	4/21/1999 5:34:00 AM
From: Bag of Pucks	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41369

Good idea to try to keep an objective perspective. The mood on this thread has swung with the same volatility as the stock price. A few days ago, everyone was gung ho-we're gonna split-$200 by next week optimistic. Two days ago, it was doom and gloom, where's the bottom, catch a falling knife pessimism. Now, AOL is back 12 points and we're back to the optimism. I think it's healthier to see both sides of the picture in any conversation regarding stock and investments. You've made some valid points regarding the growth and concerns of the company and I'm sure Steve Case et al are trying to figure it out as well. Prof. Siegel, (who wrote the WSJ article) has been unkindly bashed but I feel he also has some valid points - the main one being that in the end, you've got to bring in the profits. So far, in all the internet euphoria, I haven't come across any analysis that points to some sort of profits in 5 years. Someone please enlighten us all and spare us the new paradigm, internet revolution rhetoric. In the big picture, we are seeing sector rotation at a furious pace. In one sector one day, and another the next. Everyone was jumping into cyclicals...with the cycle now shortened to four days... Could it be that investors are not sure what to invest in anymore? There's too much liquidity in the market but not enough 'quality' investments to go around. People's expectations have gone haywire. Normal stock appreciation is 10-15% per annum. Now everyone is looking for 100% or more. Can't be done on a sustained basis. Internet and discount brokerage has made it so much easier for more and more people to trade stocks. More and more money is pouring as a result of ease of access and incredible returns in recent years/quarters. Is it an wonder that there's so much money chasing so few investments? Corrections are normal and volatility is going to be commonplace in this environment. Stick the basics.. 1) Diversify your portfolio (and risk) 2) Know your investment objectives and stick to it (which also means selling when the opportunity arises and objectives are met.) 3) Do your research and keep an objective and open mind. a) don't get emotional about stock. b) don't get married to a stock either. 4) Don't risk more than you can afford to lose. 5) Sleep well at night. Your health is more important. Good luck all.... By the way, luck has nothing to do with it.... M

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (11986)	4/21/1999 7:27:00 AM
From: DianaX	Respond to of 41369

Malcolm, RE: bargain-priced access-- I don't think so! IMO AOL is the reigning queen of internet access and will ALWAYS remain so. a) they already have brand established--they are a household word, synonymous with the internet! b) They are the most USER FRIENDLY. 50% or more of the US pop is STILL not online yet, but my bet is that when they do get online it will be with AOL--their discs are EVERYWHERE. I have several & I keep passing them out to friends who are just getting online because I know how SIMPLE AOL is to operate. I love their interface which is why I piggy-back on AOL off my MindSpring account. I'm an "advanced" user who started out on AOL and MISSED it, so I kept both. c) They are FAMILY-ORIENTED--even the name "America Online" it's great! And most of the newer people coming online will be Senior Citizens (i'm still trying to get my Mom online!) and all the technophobes who are getting left WAY behind & will sooner or later... As far as DSL VS. Cable...DSL will be plenty fast enough for 90% of the population and I am personally not looking forward to dealing with Crappy Cable Co. Service. It may take Cable a while to get it together equipment-wise & service-wise. Anyway, didn't I just see a release RE: AOL & DirectTV, so maybe Satellite will be the way of choice in the future--who knows? But you can bet that AOL's people are going to be on top of EVERY new development AND they'll have the clout to acquire/associate with WHOEVER they need. (Perhaps someone will comment on AOL's International outlook). I am VERY excited about my measly 100 shares of this wonderful company! Diana (insomnia tonite) >>2. Surely bargain priced internet access will become very common in the future. I know many people who use cheaper access. Is this not a threat? 3. Cable seems to be faster than DSL so in the broadband era of 2005, won't AOL's service seem too slow to many? I'm long in a small way, just trying to figure things out, not expecting to knock the stock price down with my solitary questions. <<

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (11986)	4/21/1999 8:24:00 AM
From: im a survivor	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41369

Malcom...in response to your questions : 1) AOL is doing excellent outside of North America...and getting better every day. International growth is going to be a big boom for the future, not a bust. 2) Aol is the gorilla...you talk about bargain priced internet access....well how about FREE. AOL can do whatever is needed to remain number 1. Whereas revenue generated by subscriber monthly fee was a considerable part of the whole picture a few years ago, it is much less so now, and getting smaller every day. Total subscriber fee revenue is increasing, yet the % it weighs in total revenue is decreasing. Why ? Because AOL makes money so many different ways...and again, getting better everyday. In the future...if need be...aol could give free access and still be just fine. In fact better then fine, cause if it was free, I don't see how others would stay in business.. 3 ) Cable...we have covered this so many times now...AOL is right on top of it. They will always be involved in whatever is best for the industry. No worries here Good Luck

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (11986)	4/21/1999 11:16:00 AM
From: Out_of_the_Trap	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41369

As far as I can see AOL is not very international. Is there any activity noticeable outside of North America? AMERICA ONLINE INC and Venezuelan media conglomerate Cisneros Group said Tuesday they had named marketing executive Charles Herington to head their Latin American joint venture. The companies said in a statement that Herington had been appointed president and chief executive of the venture, AOL Latin America. Before joining AOL, Herington served as president of Revlon Latin America. He also worked for PepsiCo Inc.'s Restaurants International, where he was regional vice president of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell for the South America, Central America and Caribbean regions. AOL Latin America plans to launch localized AOL services initially in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. (Reuters) OT