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AOL To Charge for AIM Videoconferences

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the a/s/l dept.

gwoodrow writes "In some of my college computer classes, we discussed the necessity of some sort of profit to be made eventually from major software. AIM was often sited as a rare example of a large company offering up a free service that generated almost no profit whatsoever. Well, that's all changing. It seems that AOL will begin charging for both voice and video conferencing services via the buddy list. Some AIM addicts are surely getting worried that AOL may eventually charge for regular usage."

9 of 371 comments (clear)

  1. I don't want videoconferencing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I like working at home in the nude, but that's not something other people need to be exposed to!

    1. Re:I don't want videoconferencing by YouHaveSnail · · Score: 5, Funny

      I like working at home in the nude, but that's not something other people need to be exposed to!

      Sadly, it's now too late.

    2. Re:I don't want videoconferencing by magefile · · Score: 5, Funny

      20% informative? Isn't that *over*-informative?

  2. To avoid being charged... by skraps · · Score: 5, Funny

    To avoid being charged, forward this message to everyone on your contact list! AOL will keep track of how many people forward this and if enough of us do, then they will be forced to keep AIM free! Thanks!

    --
    Karma: -2147483648 (Mostly affected by integer overflow)
  3. Web Business Strategy by arlandbayes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Step 1: Offer the service for free initially.
    Step 2: Get the customers hooked.
    Step 3: Milk the customers.
    I wonder if this business strategy has been patented yet.

    1. Re:Web Business Strategy by ThatsNotFunny · · Score: 5, Funny

      I wonder if this business strategy has been patented yet

      Yes. By my drug dealer.

      --
      "Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine No Posessions?'" -- Elvis Costello
  4. Re:No they wont' charge for AIM by Murdock037 · · Score: 5, Funny
    I don't think anyone would actually pay to then be shown ads, at least anyone with some sense.

    Says AOL to itself:

    Gee, where are we going to find an immense subscriber base with lots of money and little sense?

    Where, dammit, WHERE?
  5. Re:Charge for normal AIM? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    streaming XML isn't the best choice for video conferencing.

    D00d, what are you talking about?!

    <movie>
    <pixel>
    <red>231</red>
    <green>128</green>
    <blue>37</blue>
    </pixel>
    ...
  6. Re:Hmmm... by kantai · · Score: 5, Funny

    instead of RTFA'ing

    Oh god, how that makes me laugh, that's hilarious....