Comments on: Avoiding the monthly rip off of AOL http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/ Insanely Simple Tutorials for the First Time Macintosh User Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:06:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: janus http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-6191 janus Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:31:39 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-6191 Thanks for the info. I passed it on to my Mom who is retired and should not be spending for free services. I have always been VERY angry that Mac users have to pay for .Mac. accounts/access. Steve Jobs told all of his Mac following that we would receive a .mac account FREE. If Mac people were fooled into thinking they belonged to a"special fraternal groupl" it surely has changed. Apple not only built .mac into it's OSX system and PUSHES IT. Gone are the days when Apple appealed to intellect and scholastics for the better good. Mac's pandering for chump change has or will cost them more in future earnings by the loss of respect from their die hard supporters who stuck like glue in the good and bad times. Many of us took pride in being "Mac addicts. Tell Steve Jobs he's losing HIS following one unhappy follower after another. I can't wait to read your article on the .mac issue. I don't think I will be alone in my thoughts. Thanks! Thanks for the info. I passed it on to my Mom who is retired and should not be spending for free services.
I have always been VERY angry that Mac users have to pay for .Mac. accounts/access. Steve Jobs told all of his Mac following that we would receive a .mac account FREE. If Mac people were fooled into thinking they belonged to a”special fraternal groupl” it surely has changed. Apple not only built .mac into it’s OSX system and PUSHES IT. Gone are the days when Apple appealed to intellect and scholastics for the better good. Mac’s pandering for chump change has or will cost them more in future earnings by the loss of respect from their die hard supporters who stuck like glue in the good and bad times. Many of us took pride in being “Mac addicts. Tell Steve Jobs he’s losing HIS following one unhappy follower after another. I can’t wait to read your article on the .mac issue. I don’t think I will be alone in my thoughts.
Thanks!

]]> By: Kev http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-6190 Kev Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:29:41 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-6190 Not everyone who has an aol address is paying for aol.Aol.com now and ever since i can remember has offered a free e-mail account! This isnt something new because aol always did have free e-mail. When people pay for aol they are paying for the dial up local numbers not the e-mail account!:) Not everyone who has an aol address is paying for aol.Aol.com now and ever since i can remember has offered a free e-mail account! This isnt something new because aol always did have free e-mail. When people pay for aol they are paying for the dial up local numbers not the e-mail account!:)

]]> By: Jerry http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-6182 Jerry Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:37:26 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-6182 About a year ago, I got tired of paying Earthlink $50 a month for DSL. I'd heard that ATT was offering the same speed for a guaranteed rate of $25 a month , so I switched. I'm not selling one ISP over another. The point is that when I called Earthlink to cancel my account - and told them why - they were prepared to match the ATT offer. I'd already made the move, so the point was moot; however, it's a good lesson for everyone to be a wise consumer with your ISP. If you're paying too much, tell them you're leaving unless they can match a better offer. The worst thing that can happen is that they'll say "no." About a year ago, I got tired of paying Earthlink $50 a month for DSL. I’d heard that ATT was offering the same speed for a guaranteed rate of $25 a month , so I switched.

I’m not selling one ISP over another. The point is that when I called Earthlink to cancel my account - and told them why - they were prepared to match the ATT offer. I’d already made the move, so the point was moot; however, it’s a good lesson for everyone to be a wise consumer with your ISP. If you’re paying too much, tell them you’re leaving unless they can match a better offer. The worst thing that can happen is that they’ll say “no.”

]]> By: John http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-4563 John Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:37:36 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-4563 You don't need .Mac or AOL. If you already have a service provider you don't need either of them. Most providers will give you an email address and space to create your own website if you want. AOL also blocks parts of the internet. They only let you go to where they want you to go. That's why I gave up AOL years ago. Don't be limited by the service that charges you almost double for very little. .Mac does give you extra features that AOL does not. Such as 10 gigabytes of online storage that you can access your online files anywhere there is an internet connection. Also access to webmail, calendar, syncing, backups and more. .Mac is more of an add-on service and isn't a service provider remember that. You don’t need .Mac or AOL. If you already have a service provider you don’t need either of them. Most providers will give you an email address and space to create your own website if you want. AOL also blocks parts of the internet. They only let you go to where they want you to go. That’s why I gave up AOL years ago. Don’t be limited by the service that charges you almost double for very little. .Mac does give you extra features that AOL does not. Such as 10 gigabytes of online storage that you can access your online files anywhere there is an internet connection. Also access to webmail, calendar, syncing, backups and more. .Mac is more of an add-on service and isn’t a service provider remember that.

]]> By: Scott Haneda http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2504 Scott Haneda Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:56:06 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2504 @RickPrather, thanks for posting, you are absolutely right. There are strong cases where certain people are going to benefit from .Mac. What I do not like is how on starting a new computer up, Apple pushes it in a way that makes it seem like you have to have it. You almost feel you can not register your computer without filling out that screen. I want to educate people on what the services are, as I have a feeling it will be pretty divided on who needs them. I know some very advanced Mac users who swear by it as well, so it is much a to each his own case. Mainly, we want to make sure people know what they are getting into, rather than blindly walking into paying for something they may or may not need. @RickPrather, thanks for posting, you are absolutely right. There are strong cases where certain people are going to benefit from .Mac. What I do not like is how on starting a new computer up, Apple pushes it in a way that makes it seem like you have to have it. You almost feel you can not register your computer without filling out that screen.

I want to educate people on what the services are, as I have a feeling it will be pretty divided on who needs them. I know some very advanced Mac users who swear by it as well, so it is much a to each his own case. Mainly, we want to make sure people know what they are getting into, rather than blindly walking into paying for something they may or may not need.

]]> By: RickPrather http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2485 RickPrather Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:31:16 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2485 Yes, there are other ways to accomplish what can be done with .Mac. But, for a lot of people that is a lot of work setting up online backups, photo storage (even from your iPhone), Mail, Sync Bookmarks, Keychains, etc. between your Mac's, Web site location, and 10 GB of online storage. As far as I am concerned the $8.40/month that I pay for .Mac (I never pay more than $70/year for it) is a good buy. And, it lets me have those benefits in a Mac integrated manner that I consider part of the Mac experience. For other users such as my Mom and Daughter it is the only way to go. I'm not about to try to set them up with the alternatives. Yes, there are other ways to accomplish what can be done with .Mac. But, for a lot of people that is a lot of work setting up online backups, photo storage (even from your iPhone), Mail, Sync Bookmarks, Keychains, etc. between your Mac’s, Web site location, and 10 GB of online storage.

As far as I am concerned the $8.40/month that I pay for .Mac (I never pay more than $70/year for it) is a good buy. And, it lets me have those benefits in a Mac integrated manner that I consider part of the Mac experience.

For other users such as my Mom and Daughter it is the only way to go. I’m not about to try to set them up with the alternatives.

]]> By: Scott Haneda http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2413 Scott Haneda Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:50:00 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2413 @Amy, thanks for also pointing out you can keep the aol.com email address and use other services. I feel for all of those people who have a auto credit card charge happening every month and just do not realize they no longer need to even pay. Glad you added your comments, as I was not entirely familiar with all the workings of AOL, I just knew most people do not need much of it anymore. @Amy, thanks for also pointing out you can keep the aol.com email address and use other services. I feel for all of those people who have a auto credit card charge happening every month and just do not realize they no longer need to even pay.

Glad you added your comments, as I was not entirely familiar with all the workings of AOL, I just knew most people do not need much of it anymore.

]]> By: Amy http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2366 Amy Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:55:39 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2366 Thanks for helping people understand that they don't need to pay that $120 connectivity fee if they already pay for broadband elsewhere. You can definitely KEEP your AOL address and not pay anything for the service. When AOL switched to free service years ago, I cancelled my payment. I've been enjoying AOL at no cost ever since. I like many of the benefits - most particularly its voice mail services. With it, I'm able to listen to my email by phone on a toll free number and have my telephone voice mail messages sent to my email address in a wav file. Both of these are invaluable to me - particularly because I travel a great deal. With it, I don't need to access a computer or have a blackberry to retrieve all my email and home voice messages remotely. And I've been able to keep my original email address for twenty years without interruption. Thanks for helping people understand that they don’t need to pay that $120 connectivity fee if they already pay for broadband elsewhere. You can definitely KEEP your AOL address and not pay anything for the service. When AOL switched to free service years ago, I cancelled my payment. I’ve been enjoying AOL at no cost ever since. I like many of the benefits - most particularly its voice mail services. With it, I’m able to listen to my email by phone on a toll free number and have my telephone voice mail messages sent to my email address in a wav file. Both of these are invaluable to me - particularly because I travel a great deal. With it, I don’t need to access a computer or have a blackberry to retrieve all my email and home voice messages remotely. And I’ve been able to keep my original email address for twenty years without interruption.

]]> By: Judie http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2221 Judie Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:33:41 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2221 Hi, Scott. Well, I'm interested in knowing about the free places for sure. :D Judie Hi, Scott.

Well, I’m interested in knowing about the free places for sure. :D

Judie

]]> By: Scott Haneda http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2218 Scott Haneda Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:14:56 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2218 @Judie, thanks for the comments. There are always nice uses for .Mac. I just want to point out there are other free methods to accomplish the same task. There seems to be strong demand for this data, so we will get to a post on it very soon. @Judie, thanks for the comments. There are always nice uses for .Mac. I just want to point out there are other free methods to accomplish the same task.

There seems to be strong demand for this data, so we will get to a post on it very soon.

]]> By: Scott Haneda http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2214 Scott Haneda Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:08:03 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2214 @MacRussian, we hope to get to the post soon. (About .Mac). I too have found the email to be unreliable, and some of the other services a bit slow and flakey. In spirit, it is a nice idea, greate photo galleries, very simple way to end up presenting complex things. If Apple could keep up to speed with the demand I think it would be better. As soon as we get a full report out, we will make sure to let you know. @MacRussian, we hope to get to the post soon. (About .Mac). I too have found the email to be unreliable, and some of the other services a bit slow and flakey. In spirit, it is a nice idea, greate photo galleries, very simple way to end up presenting complex things. If Apple could keep up to speed with the demand I think it would be better.

As soon as we get a full report out, we will make sure to let you know.

]]> By: Judie http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2130 Judie Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:13:10 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2130 PS - I should say I use .mac for putting up things like photo albums, slide shows and so on - family stuff. PS - I should say I use .mac for putting up things like photo albums, slide shows and so on - family stuff.

]]> By: Judie http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2128 Judie Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:11:40 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2128 I have an ISP which allows 8 or 10 e-mail addresses, I have a Yahoo.com e-mail address, I have a .mac account with an e-mail address and several aliases, and .... I use them all - LOL! The Yahoo address I use to run my own Yahoo groups mostly. I am fairly busy on the net and have a need for all these e-mail addresses. One address would NOT cut it. I had a g-mail account ... I wonder what I did with that ..... :D Anyway, I love .mac for ease of use to throw up a web site. Mind you I use iWeb to make web sites and upload them to my web hosting etc. I basically use both for different reasons. Yes, I probably pay too much, but I find .mac handy. I have thought of cancelling it but I just like it for little movies and ease of use for family stuff, mostly. The other I use mostly for my web site. Judie I have an ISP which allows 8 or 10 e-mail addresses, I have a Yahoo.com e-mail address, I have a .mac account with an e-mail address and several aliases, and …. I use them all - LOL!

The Yahoo address I use to run my own Yahoo groups mostly. I am fairly busy on the net and have a need for all these e-mail addresses. One address would NOT cut it. I had a g-mail account … I wonder what I did with that ….. :D

Anyway, I love .mac for ease of use to throw up a web site. Mind you I use iWeb to make web sites and upload them to my web hosting etc. I basically use both for different reasons. Yes, I probably pay too much, but I find .mac handy. I have thought of cancelling it but I just like it for little movies and ease of use for family stuff, mostly. The other I use mostly for my web site.

Judie

]]> By: MacRussian http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2048 MacRussian Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:01:17 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2048 @Scott Great post. Can't wait to see your Mac.com topic published, I'd like to add my complaints as .mac email has been the ONLY part of my Apple experience that I find disappointing - and it would be great if that could be improved. @Scott
Great post.
Can’t wait to see your Mac.com topic published, I’d like to add my complaints as .mac email has been the ONLY part of my Apple experience that I find disappointing - and it would be great if that could be improved.

]]> By: DCJ001 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2045 DCJ001 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:58:08 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2045 I used .Mac for a couple of years but I found that I don't need the features and services offered through .Mac. I use Comcast for high speed internet and I switched to a gmail e-mail address that I use through Mail on my Mac. I like saving $$$ by not paying for .Mac. But if you want .Mac, I recommend buying it through Amazon.com for a $30 savings: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BX7GAI?ie=UTF8&tag=oxh-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BX7GAI" rel="nofollow">Apple .Mac 5.0</a> I used .Mac for a couple of years but I found that I don’t need the features and services offered through .Mac. I use Comcast for high speed internet and I switched to a gmail e-mail address that I use through Mail on my Mac.

I like saving $$$ by not paying for .Mac. But if you want .Mac, I recommend buying it through Amazon.com for a $30 savings: Apple .Mac 5.0

]]> By: Scott Haneda http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2014 Scott Haneda Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:24:16 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2014 @John, thanks so much for that link, that is actually pretty nice of AOL to offer. I would consider it an option, and still suggest people get out of the aol.com system. I am a bit biased, which is why I said to stay away from hotmail and yahoo. I have administered email servers for about 10 years now, and those three email providers are near impossible to work with. We have constant issues delivering emails to them. As a matter of fact, if you are a hotmail user, and you subscribe to our email newsletter, there is a good chance they will not deliver it to you. Too many emails to them over a short period of time and they block them. I then have to spend weeks working with them to get approved to be a verified sender. AOL has some of the same precautions set in place, which in general amount to ban first, prove you are not a spammer later. @John, thanks so much for that link, that is actually pretty nice of AOL to offer. I would consider it an option, and still suggest people get out of the aol.com system.

I am a bit biased, which is why I said to stay away from hotmail and yahoo. I have administered email servers for about 10 years now, and those three email providers are near impossible to work with. We have constant issues delivering emails to them.

As a matter of fact, if you are a hotmail user, and you subscribe to our email newsletter, there is a good chance they will not deliver it to you. Too many emails to them over a short period of time and they block them.

I then have to spend weeks working with them to get approved to be a verified sender.

AOL has some of the same precautions set in place, which in general amount to ban first, prove you are not a spammer later.

]]> By: John http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2010 John Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:46:30 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2010 According to AOL, you can keep your AOL email address even if you quit paying. http://daol.aol.com/mailmessaging/email According to AOL, you can keep your AOL email address even if you quit paying.

http://daol.aol.com/mailmessaging/email

]]> By: Scott Haneda http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2006 Scott Haneda Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:22:33 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2006 @Matt, exactly. I still have a client who at times, tries to get passwords and such, and I know they are going to her old @home address. The free email address that your ISP gives you is literally worthless. I have one for Comast, I imagine I can set up any number more. I have never even logged into it once. @Matt, exactly. I still have a client who at times, tries to get passwords and such, and I know they are going to her old @home address. The free email address that your ISP gives you is literally worthless. I have one for Comast, I imagine I can set up any number more. I have never even logged into it once.

]]> By: Matt http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2005 Matt Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:20:22 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2005 I doubt this will happen again, but when I first got broadband I had AT&T. AT&T called their service @home and everyone got an address at @home.com. Through some legal reason AT&T lost the rights to the home.com domain and with absolutely no notice had to change my address to att.com. Then later AT&T sold there cable division to Comcast, once again changing the address. this time at least had about one years notice. So I never moved, never really changed ISPs and had go through three addresses. I doubt this will happen again, but when I first got broadband I had AT&T. AT&T called their service @home and everyone got an address at @home.com. Through some legal reason AT&T lost the rights to the home.com domain and with absolutely no notice had to change my address to att.com. Then later AT&T sold there cable division to Comcast, once again changing the address. this time at least had about one years notice. So I never moved, never really changed ISPs and had go through three addresses.

]]> By: Scott Haneda http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2004 Scott Haneda Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:42:42 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2004 @Laura, I also want to post a topic on mac.com as well, as that will also run you, last I checked, about $100.00 a year. Please comment back and let us know what it is about mac.com that is of interest to you? In many cases, I would say it is also a service you do not need. It has certain features, that if you need them, may be of value. There are also many ways to accomplish the same thing that might not cost anything. I do not want to give the impression I am knocking mac.com, as to some, it will be valuable. I have a feeling, to most, it is unnecessary. @Laura, I also want to post a topic on mac.com as well, as that will also run you, last I checked, about $100.00 a year. Please comment back and let us know what it is about mac.com that is of interest to you?

In many cases, I would say it is also a service you do not need. It has certain features, that if you need them, may be of value. There are also many ways to accomplish the same thing that might not cost anything.

I do not want to give the impression I am knocking mac.com, as to some, it will be valuable. I have a feeling, to most, it is unnecessary.

]]> By: Laura Brown http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2003 Laura Brown Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:38:31 +0000 http://osxhelp.com/avoiding-the-monthly-rip-off-of-aol/#comment-2003 Thanks for giving me the courage to leave AOL and go to mac.com. I"m almost there! getting closer anyway! I've been with AOL since they were first around, some 20 years, so it's been difficult to say goodbye.... Thanks for giving me the courage to leave AOL and go to mac.com. I”m almost there! getting closer anyway! I’ve been with AOL since they were first around, some 20 years, so it’s been difficult to say goodbye….

]]>