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AOL Dialer for Linux

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the maybe-that-one-isn't-for-you dept.

jesuscash writes "Linspire today announced the availability of Internet dialer software that provides direct access to the Internet for desktop Linux users via AOL's dial-up ISP service."

4 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. A little redundant? by mattgorle · · Score: 2, Informative

    I would have thought that we linuxers had understood how to connect to the net through dialup by now...

    Still, it's nice(?!) to see them take it seriously enough to release software for linux, even if it's been done several times before...

    --
    Slackware user since 1997.
    1. Re:A little redundant? by sjbcfh · · Score: 2, Informative
      I would have thought that we linuxers had understood how to connect to the net through dialup by now...

      Except that AOL doesn't use a regular PPP connection. They use their own proprietary dialup protocol, instead.

  2. What's the news here ? by wsapplegate · · Score: 2, Informative

    I'm not sure what's so revolutionary with this program (the two links in the press release end up in a 404, so I can't check if it has something new), but an AOL dialer for Linux already exists. In fact, they've even been threatened by (and lost their old domain name to) AOL. As far as I know, their software still works today. Wouldn't this be another publicity stunt by Mr. Robertson and Lin(dows|d-ws|spire) ?

    --
    Xenu brings order!
  3. Re:Penggy by robochan · · Score: 2, Informative

    Why would linux users want to connect to AOL?

    Most Linux users wouldn't. However, there are many AOL users that would like to be able to use Linux (or _I_ would like them to be abe to use Linux) and not have their entire AOL experience changed. While Penggy is a great idea, it does _not_ replace the AOL software, and for many people, AOL _is_ the internet. They have no idea wtf an antivirus is or that windows update even exists. They run Win9x on a 233, beefed up with some RAM, that their grandkid gave to them 3 years ago. All they know is that when they click on the little icon, a moment or 2 later their told that they've got mail.
    I deal with these folks on a daily basis.

    I have no idea how this new thing works, but it would seem to be just a dialer, which is unfortunate. Something along the lines of actual AOL software, instead of just a dialer, would help me out immensely moving people over to Linux. In my business, I deal almost exclusively with home users, many of whom use AOL. There hasn't been a viable Linux solution for them. Perhaps we'll see how viable this is.
    The following line from Linspire's website makes me a bit apprehensive:
    "The AOL Dialer for Linux is not endorsed, supported or certified by America Online, Inc."

    --
    ...Rob
    The American Dream isn't an SUV and a house in the suburbs; it's Don't Tread On Me.