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AOL To Be Free For Broadband Users?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the already-have-the-intertron-thanks dept.

mikesd81 writes "AOL may give away more services including its AOL.com accounts reserved for paying customers. They have a proposal under consideration which calls for Time Warner's online unit to stop charging subscription fees to users who have high-speed Internet access or even dial-up service from a rival provider. Under the plan the company would continue to charge the fees for those needing dial-up access through AOL. The AOL software also would allow subscribers to continue using instant messaging, Web journals and other services without having to download separate software or figure out Web-based options. That would ease the transition and encourage them to keep using AOL services, the person familiar with the matter said."

23 of 159 comments (clear)

  1. Yea, but... by Bakadan · · Score: 5, Funny

    then you'd have to use AOL.

    1. Re:Yea, but... by WCD_Thor · · Score: 3, Funny

      LOL! AOL is a burdon on society and needs to be shot in the head, or at least given the leathal injection (but I think if it went to a vote, a shot in the head would win in a landslide). I have no idea why anyone would ever consider using AOL. Only stupid idiots that are tricked by adds use AOL, or those poor bastards who's only option for internet service is AOL, those people need charity.

    2. Re:Yea, but... by phreakincool · · Score: 2, Funny

      Press f8 at boot time, load boot-time loadables step-by-step, skip load of ZoneAlarm. Or even better, boot of a PE CD.

    3. Re:Yea, but... by ggy · · Score: 2, Funny

      Dude! What kind of übergeek little girl do you think this is?!

  2. If AOL were free . . . by cashman73 · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . . only newbies would use AOL. Oh, wait! ;-)

  3. Q: Does it still suck? by Shadow+Wrought · · Score: 5, Funny

    A: Yes, but it sucks 10 times faster.

    --
    If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
  4. Re:Can someone tell me? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    me too!

  5. So? by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    I could get AIDS for free, too. That doesn't make it desirable.

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:So? by Jesus+IS+the+Devil · · Score: 4, Funny

      You're on Slashdot. Your left hand can't give you AIDS. So, no... it won't be free for you.

      --

      eTrade SUCKS
  6. Strings attached! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The AOL access may be free, but they are going to start charging for the install CDs.

  7. Stab, ow? by eingram · · Score: 1, Funny

    Stabbing yourself in the face is free, too, but it's still not a good idea.

  8. AOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess too many people figured out AOL wasn't 'The Internet'?

    1. Re:AOL by cashman73 · · Score: 3, Funny
      I guess too many people figured out AOL wasn't 'The Internet'?

      Now I see what Dubya was talking about when he referred to, "The Internets," back in the 2004 campaign! There's the "normal internet" and the "AOL internet" ... two "Internets." ;-)

  9. How can I lose? by Kev_Stewart · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bang that crayon a little further up my nose, Moe. Woo hoo! AOL! How can I lose?

  10. Wasn't AOL always free ? by Sohil · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean they never let you cancel. "Please try AOL free for 50 more days"

    --
    http://sohilsblog.blogspot.com
  11. Re:omg enough with the speculation already by MustardMan · · Score: 2, Funny

    Slashdot: Rumors for nerds. Stuff that might matter.

  12. Re:It's tradition. by AndreiK · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm eagerly awaiting the point when their software passes 700MB, so they can start using 1GB usb keys.

  13. Re:Can someone tell me? by JustNiz · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe its just me but every time I see AOLers written down I confuse it with the word 'assholes'.

  14. for you that would involve sex .... by Brigadier · · Score: 2, Funny



    and for you .. that isn't free :D

  15. Its STILL over-priced. by sizzzzlerz · · Score: 4, Funny

    So now what is AOL gonna do when one of these free accounts wants to cancel? Offer 6 months of double-secret free service?

  16. Re:So is gum under your chair. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Quoting is like masturbating, people know you do it.

  17. Here's what REALLY happened. by ukemike · · Score: 2, Funny

    AOL Customer Service: AOL how can I help you?
    AOL users: We'd like to cancel our accounts please.
    AOLCS: I'm sorry what part of our service were you unhappy with?
    AOL users: We'd like to cancel our accounts please.
    AOLCS: But you logged Umpteenzillion hours on your accounts last month...
    AOL users: We'd like to cancel our accounts please.
    AOLCS: Do you know we'll be hosting a live chat with Lionel Ritchie for paying users only next month?
    AOL users: We'd like to cancel our accounts please.
    AOLCS: Why won't you tell us why you are unhappy?
    AOL users: We'd like to cancel our accounts please.
    [three weeks later]
    AOLCS: Please pretty please with sugar on top don't go!
    AOL users: We'd like to cancel our accounts please.
    AOLCS: Fine!! you can just have the whole d@mn thing for free!! We'll figure out some other way to fleece you!
    AOL users: We'd STILL like to cancel our accounts please.

    --
    -- QED
  18. I want respect that "aol.com" email address gets by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Funny
    You mean I can get an aol.com email address FOR FREE?!? Oh glorious day! Finally, I'll be taken seriously on /.!!

    -Eric

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.