On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 09:43:04 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:


Absolutely right, AOL is a poor substitute for the real thing. You
may not need to leave them however. There used to be an option in the
AOL logon options where you specify that you want a "Windows Socket"
connection or words to that effect. That would enable you to use AOL
for your EMAIL while actually connecting with something else (like a
high speed cable connection or DSL service). Assuming that you get
that working, you then need an independent newsreader like Free Agent:

http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php

If you are already connecting to AOL with cable or DSL, chance are
that you have everything in place already except for installing a
newsreader.

Ten years ago when I was doing service calls for an early independent
ISP, we used to call AOL "Assholes On Line", because only the stupid
or the unwilling to learn would get sucked into using it. They also
produced the most ignorant calls to our help desk. We used to say that
AOL wasn't the Internet...it was a discount mall out on the highway
leading away from the Internet.

I see no reason to change my opinion, despite the hundreds of coasters
AOL has sent me over the years.

I use Free Agent, Eudora and Firefox. No Microsoft, no AOL, no spam,
no pop-ups. It's almost as peaceful as sailing.

R.