The problem:
AOL uses IE because they need MS
They need MS to get the AOL logo on the desktop of windows XP therefore
they wont screw that by dropping IE.
The solution:
screw MS, screw IE and switch to netscape.
Then, to get the subscribers, go for a deal with the major PC OEMs to
get the AOL icon on their preinstalled desktops.
Most AOL users (by volume) are those that dont know much about the
internet aka newbies (they do say on the ads "the net made easy")
Most newbies will buy a brand name PC (compaq, dell, gateway, IBM and so
on) from a respecable OEM (since they can get good warrenty, good
support, lots of extras if they get a package deal, etc etc etc)
Therefore AOLs target market (newbies) will be buying the machines that
have AOL icons.
Its a win-win situation for everyone except MS
AOL gets exposure to most of its target market
AOL also gets increased money from ads on netscape.com (since either
that or aol.com) would likely be the default start page. Plus, the
promotion of netscape is a good thing for AOL (I guess)
so AOL wins
netscape wins because they get more users for their browser which means
that there is more reason to keep improving it etc
mozilla wins since it gets better when netscape gets better
internet users win since web sites will go to standards complience, and
IE will follow.
The only looser is MS which looses all of those IE users.
