AOL to Launch Discount "Netscape" Internet Service

BigJimSlade writes "AOL is planning to launch a discounted internet service. The service will have less of the 'extras' that AOL users are used to, but will only cost $9.95 a month. In a move to cash-in on name recognition, AOL will be naming this service 'Netscape'."

Comments

Good move.

[grub]

Ma & Pa Kettle don't need 150Kb+ incoming for their P2P apps. They want to log in to the InterWeb and check their email for pics of their grandkids. If this doesn't get them loads of new users I'll be very suprised.

Re:Good move.

[TrippTDF]

It depends on how well they market it... I know a surprising number of people over 60 who pay their $20 a month to use email to look at their grandkids and not much else. It's really all that a lot of people can handle, or want to.

Now, if AOL can really, really make this look appealing and EASY, it might work. But a lot of those grannies had a hard enough time learning outlook, let alone trying to switch their service to save some money.

I just don't see it working... too little, too late.

Cash in on name recognition?

[ERJ]

More like confuse the hell out of the average person...

Customer Support: Our web site supports IE4+ and Netscape 6+
Customer: You need a specific ISP?
Customer Support: Huh?

"Less features" for AOL means...

[leftie]

They have taken away internet access and they just show you all the AOL advertising

Netscape

[Phroggy]

What I want to know is, will they ship the Netscape 7 browser to subscribers, ship a Netscape-branded hack of Internet Explorer with the home page set to netscape.com, or provide no extra software at all?

This could be a nightmare for tech support. You have no idea how many times I've had people tell me their web browser or Internet Service Provider was Yahoo, because that's what their home page was set to.

The Three Rings of Cluebie Hell

[Greyfox]

Back in the day there were 3 rings of the cluebie hell. The first ring was CompuServe. These were the people who were almost bright enough to get a flat-rate PPP provider. Some of them atoned for their sins and moved to the Internet.

The second ring of Cluebie Hell is AOL. Pretty much the same demographic that made FOX the network it is today. 'Nuff said. Some of them atoned for their sins and moved to CompuServe.

The third ring was were the truly damned were kept. It was called Prodigy. Words can not describe this horrific place, you had to experience it for yourself. Fortunately Prodigy has departed this world as have all of its users. You see, a secret government program was started when it was found that we could raise the collective IQ of the entire race by 10 points by eliminating the Prodigy users. They were all quietly taken out and shot and the service was closed down. Know any ex-Prodigy users? No? That's not a coincidence.