AOL is more of a GUI (graphical user interface) that presents what they wish
to offer to their subscribers in whatever manner they choose. They also have
the authority to exclude any content that they chose not to offer, perhaps
things like mature text or images, or, as the ongoing lawsuits and
allegations report, they will not allow advertising that promotes or sells
competitors' products.
A stand alone ISP is more like a gateway to the internet; sort of like
handing you the keys to a car and letting you travel wherever you wish; to
view and read whatever content you wish including mature text and images as
well as shop or visit any vendor you choose. Some, or most, ISPs do offer
some sort of homepage website with a variety of content oriented toward
their subscriber base or promoting commercial enterprises that they may
benefit from, but they do not try to provide a complete environment such as
AOL does to persuade you to shop only at their store.
The problem is, AOL is not a stepping stone if subscribers are coerced into
staying only within the "walls" of AOL. AOL does their best to prevent
subscribers from learning what is really the internet and remaining in
their self-serving presentation of it.
That's my off-hand basic impression of it.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Hi all,since disability has brought a computer and AOL into my life,six
years
> ago,I've read countless articles on AOL being good for the inexperienced
> user. A stepping stone to other better services. I've been a member for 6
> years,and while I've had problems using other ISPs to connect,they've been
> OK. I'd love to know the difference between AOL and other
> providers,especially what makes the other services better. I'm not
sticking
> up for AOL,since so many people don't like them,including Fred Langa,there
> must be some fire. I'm just wondering for my own personal knowledge.
Thanks
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