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You've
outgrown America Online
By: Scott Hendison �
Published: August 2002
If
you want to be a power user, and really make full use of the internet and your
e-mail, there is one thing you�ll eventually have to do. Stop using America
Online software as your primary means of e-mail communication and web browsing.
If
this article can�t help you personally, it can probably help someone you know.
Some people I�ve seen even have high speed DSL or cable internet in their
homes, yet still continue to pay another $22 a month for AOL, because they
don�t know how to easily get off it.
Am
I trying to take revenue away from AOL? No.
Am
I trying to get you to signup with a certain ISP? No.
Am
I suggesting that you stop using AOL as your ISP (Internet Service Provider)?
Not Necessarily.
I
am telling you though, that it�s time to stop using AOL�s web browser and
e-mail software, and the good news is, you don�t have to leave AOL to do that.
AOL
was designed for beginners. Getting on the internet used to be complicated, and
AOL did a fine job getting us all online. As a former AOL member myself, I
can�t speak highly enough about its ease of use. You�re not a beginner
anymore though, and it�s time to move on. The reasons why are probably obvious
to you, and there�s no reason to go into them here. If they aren�t obvious,
then maybe it�s not time to switch yet.
The
specific problems most AOL users face stem from the general difference between
them and the rest of the world. As you become more proficient, there are things
you�ll want to do that just aren�t possible with the AOL software. That�s
why all those new versions keep rolling out.
That may be fine with you, and that�s your choice, but for those that
want to kick the habit, here�s a short guide.
After
logging on with AOL, minimize your AOL Window, and open Internet Explorer.
That�s the circle E icon on your desktop, or by the start button. It also is
listed in the Start � Programs list. It should just automatically work, and
you�ll be browsing web pages instantly. If it doesn�t though, you will have
to go to Tools � Internet options � Connections � and choose not to dial a
connection, and check the box for connect with LAN (Local Area Network). E-mail
me if you need help at [email protected].
Microsoft
Internet Explorer (IE) will display web pages better, and generally improve your
interaction with websites in the way the site designer intended. Websites do not
always look right in the AOL browser, and designing them so they do is becoming
a dying art that many designers are just not bothering with anymore.
Once you�ve started using IE instead of the AOL browser, the next thing you'll
want to do is to get your �favorite places� from AOL imported into the IE
favorites menu. Well, I've got news for you...it isn't easy. Unless you have
very old versions of both AOL and IE, the easiest thing to do is to copy and
paste them from the AOL browser address bar to the IE address bar. Then as each
website opens just go to favorites - add to favorites in IE. This will also
allow you to rename them with better titles, and even organize them into folders
if you like. (See Customizing your
browser I and II )
If you have lots of "favorite places though, and
it's just too much work to copy and paste them, then there are still ways to get
them into Internet Explorer.
The best program I've heard of is called Favoripper. It's the 4th program down here
http://www.cablehead.com You can download and
try the demo for free, but if you want to buy the full version, it's $20.
That's $20 well spent though, in my book!
Don't give in and
switch back to the AOL browser!
Now,
to further free yourself from the restraints of AOL, you�ll need a new e-mail
address. I recommend going to http://www.hotmail.com
and getting a free e-mail account from them. It�s fast, it�s easy, and the
odds are, since it�s owned by Microsoft, that it won�t be disappearing
anytime soon.
(Next month the article will cover some privacy issues with everything free on
the web so don't miss it)
Using
a Hotmail address instead of AOL will allow you to use the standard Microsoft mail
programs, Outlook and Outlook Express.
Outlook
Express is free with Windows and it�s what most people in the world are using
today, along with the more feature-rich Microsoft Outlook. True, there are
numerous other options available, but I think Outlook Express is a pretty good
place to start. On my website, at http://www.pdxtc.com
I have numerous articles relating to Outlook Express, and how it can be used
easily and efficiently.
To
set up Outlook Express for use with Hotmail, here is a link to step by step
instructions from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q220852
The
bad news is that AOL offers no easy way to get your old e-mail addresses out of
the AOL program and into another mail program. AOL does not want you to leave,
and by keeping you dependent on them, they hope you�ll be too lazy.
The
easiest thing to do is to send an e-mail to everyone in your address book,
asking them to please test your new hotmail address. Then, as you check your
e-mail in Outlook Express, all you have to do is right click on their name, and
choose �add to address book�. Eventually, you won�t even have to check
your AOL e-mail anymore.
Some
people want to get rid of AOL altogether, but continue to pay for it because
they don�t want to lose that e-mail address. A visit to http://www.forwardamerica.com/
might solve that problem. There you can actually forward your AOL mail to
another address for about $4.00 a month.
Now
that you are using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, you are only using the
AOL software to connect. Now, you can be free to shop around for a faster or
more affordable internet service without losing what you�ve got now.
At
that point, you can work on trying to get AOL to stop billing your credit card.
Sorry, I have no handy tips for that!
*Update April 2005 -
AOL email addresses CAN be used with Outlook
Express...here's how
http://help.aol.com/help/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=http--helpchannelsaolcom-SearchData-kjumpadpcatId1sCId416sSCId4093articleId217453
Copyright 2000, All Rights Reserved
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