AOL software - pure hell?

[FunkyT]

I recently did a mem upgrade and software rebuild on the following oldish PC:

Athlon XP1800+, 2 x 512MB...

The machine was on my 'test bed' for over a week and working flawlessly. I'd installed the usual AV (Kasperksy) and antispyware solutions...

Anyway, the person it belongs to is an AOL fan and insisted on installing version 9 of their software. He's now experiencing poor performance, AOL hasn't detected the AV and he 'keeps getting attacked by trojans'?

I'm like, WTF? Can I put this down to AOL's software being a pile of dog ****?

[chuckskull]

In a word, yeah. Version 9 is being given a spyware rating by some places for installing other things silently.

[FunkyT]

Thanks dude. So you're saying the AOL software itself contains spyware?

[chuckskull]

Thanks dude. So you're saying the AOL software itself contains spyware?

Theres a lot of contention about that right now, StopBadware.org lists AOL as an open enquiry and have held off labelling it malware, as AOL have pomsised to fix the problems.

[yeahitstom]

You don't know the 4 rules AOL has about developing anything? 1. Advirtise AOL as much as possible 2. It doesn't matter if they don't do a good job 3. Lie to everyone about everything saying it's good 4. Advirtise AOL as much as possible.

And it's obviously working, they charge 5x as much for internet service than anyone else but people still buy them. Look at how much iPods are advirtised every day. See how many of them break? Just advirtising as much as possible can get you rich no matter what.

Just tell that person they're a dolt and AOL is the biggest load of crap it can be. Also add that part I said above.

[FunkyT]

Thanks lads.

Later today I shall be configuring a DG834G and Outlook Express with AOL, removing their software and instigating a migration to a decent ISP like Nildram or Pipex

[BlindMelon7]

Good luck with trying to uninstal it. If you want it ALL off you you would be better off formating and starting again.

[adam1701]

Im on AOL and havent used their software in 13 months.....................

Just get a router!!!

[adam1701]

Double post, sorry.

[FunkyT]

I installed a DG834G v3 and the geezer is now happily using OE and IE

He's in the process of migrating to a decent ISP...

[yeahitstom]

I think every computer should be equiped with the appropreate software such as Firefox and AVG Free Edition. Plus for an office software try using Open Office.org, and Thunderbird rather than OE, Trillian or Gaim rather than Microsoft Messenger. If you think about it. Everything Microsoft is the target for malware and such. Microsoft doesn't update often or well enough.

Sorry to come off as advirtising but if you just try them I guarantee that you'll agree they are much better. Also, using a local DSL ISP is never a bad idea, they have a reputation to uphold and if anything goes wrong you should have full support. Plus you're helping them improve their services. Holy crap, I'm just a walking billboard, but I do have a point.