Review: America Online- by Thomas Chamberlain

In the beginning, when the Military created the Internet, it was formless and desolate. The Internet beget CompuServe and Prodigy and they were ... ummm ... well, not good but ... sigh ... I think that's another review for another time. The point is, then came America Online.

America Online (AOL for short) has become the largest populated of any of the on-line services these days with over 4.5 million members. No one really knows how or why it happened but AOL has opened the doors to a flood of new customers to the on-line world. But at the same time, AOL has what appears to be the smallest population of OS/2 users among the big three. So the question is, "Should you use AOL?"

To answer that question we must look at what makes any forum successful. I've split this process into three parts: People, Files, and Usability.

Assets of AOL

So, lets start with people. I find that America Online has the best group of people inhabiting it of any on-line service. The OS/2 Forum hosts three chat conferences a week that are filled with OS/2 conversation, prizes, and specials guests. Visitors to the OS/2 Chat Room have included representatives from Hilgraeve Software, IBM employees, and Brad Wardell of Stardock, just to name a few. Conferences are held every Tuesday at 11:30PM, Thursday at 9:00PM, and Saturday at 9:30PM (All times are Eastern Standard Time). Notable Guests to the Forum in February will include Buck Bohac owner of Indelible Blue (Feb. 3rd), Tim Sipples of IBM's PSP division (Feb. 10th), and David Moskowitz of OS/2 Unleashed fame (Feb. 17th).

What makes America Online's service stand out the most would be the staff that maintains it. AOL's OS/2 Forum is completely independent; it is in no way associated with IBM and the staff aren't even AOL employees, they're volunteers. This means that the staff has to work twice as hard to pick up files and to maintain a working knowledge of what is happening in the world of OS/2. Strangely enough it is rumored that IBM offered to sponsor an OS/2 forum on America Online but the management of AOL refused saying that they didn't allow corporations to run Forums. But even with this handicap the hard working staff manages to run a Forum that is equal to any of the IBM supported sites. More importantly it gives it more of a friendly feel as Forum head PC DaveS said, "It's informal. It's 'relaxed and friendly', and it's fun ... even though we are still able to provide very, very good OS/2 help and resources." The staff are all very active in the working of the Forum and just an e-mail away if a Forum user ever needs OS/2 Assistance.

The OS/2 Forum also sports a fairly active message section. But there's a problem; one of the most annoying features of the America Online system is the fact that you can't download messages to read off-line. So, your given the choice of either spending 3 hours on-line or not getting the message bases. It's annoying, but it's something you have to live with. The trick to getting to read all the message bases you enjoy is to use AOL's Multitasking ability to read them during Chat sessions or File Downloads as opposed to devoting a whole on-line session to the message bases.

The Front End

The America Online software is probably both the best and worst thing about AOL. The AOL front end is only available in a Windows Version (gif 9k) for IBM compatibles; there is no OS/2 version and in fact America Online has even abandon it's Dos software. On the one hand it is extremely attractive with excellent graphics and extremely well done "push button effects." However, there are several negative aspects to this interface, the first being the enormous overhead it requires to run. The software is EXTREMELY slow in 4 megs of RAM (that's in both Win-OS/2 and DOS Windows), in 8 megs of RAM it begins to speed up but is still sluggish, at 16 megs of RAM it finally gets to the point where it's an acceptable speed.

Beyond the hardware requirements, it is quite clear within the first couple weeks of using AOL that there was not much attention put into the technical details of the software. America Online, without a doubt, is the reigning champion for the most crashes on my system. In 32 megs of RAM expect to experience a crash in AOL about every fourth or fifth time you call and this appears to be the experience of all the AOL people I know.

As for an OS/2 version of the software, don't count on it. America Online's CEO, Steve Case, has returned every private e-mail, petition, and other OS/2 propaganda with a fairly solid, "No," regarding an AOL/2. Legend even says that IBM itself offered to fund the creation of an AOL/2 but Mr. Case turned it down with no reason given. As an America Online user, I can say with all honesty that I would settle for a decent version of America Online for Win-OS/2. As it is the offering right now is unstable.

File Selection

The OS/2 Forum's file section is, unfortunately, somewhat lacking. This is where not being IBM supported begins to hurt. The ever so hardworking staff of the OS/2 Forum tries its best but still can't match the huge file sections of the other on-line services that have IBM support, such as CompuServe. Something to keep in mind though, is that because the staff of the Forum go out of their way to obtain files needed by OS/2 users, you'll often find a file such as a FixPak or a software update making it into the AOL Forum before places such as CompuServe where the Forum head waits for IBM to deliver the files to them. The bottom line regarding the file bases is this: although they don't get all the files released for OS/2 they do get the important ones.

But what if you want to see all the files released for OS/2? How can AOL help you? It's actually pretty easy if you give it some thought. America Online has unmatched Internet support, including access to many OS/2 FTP sites. So, although the OS/2 Forum on AOL does not have the best file selection of any on-line service, you can jump to the hobbes FTP site with the push of a button.

Other Things

One of the more inviting features of America Online's OS/2 Forum is the very comprehensive OS/2 reference guide. The Reference Guide provides information on how to use many of OS/2's features ranging from Networking to the Workplace Shell. Containing almost a hundred OS/2 tips, tricks, and reviews, it's helpful for both newcomers and the experienced user.

Along with the Reference Guide, AOL also offers the Starter Kit. The Starter Kit is designed to help new OS/2 users get up to speed with the "Must-Have" OS/2 utilities (not to be confused with Gary Hammer's Must Have Utilities on the World Wide Web). Although I'm not sure I agree with some of their selections the idea behind it is excellent and there are some extremely helpful Shareware/Freeware programs listed.

Conclusions

So, should you use AOL? My answer (as illustrated by the fact that I actually do use it) is, "Yes." OS/2 is not supported in any way by the upper management running America Online, But that doesn't stop the OS/2 Forum members (both staff and users) from doing an astounding job. To not use AOL because of management neglect would be the equivalent of never using a computer again because the majority of applications are written for Windows. My advice: try AOL out. They'll give you the software, waive your first monthly fee, and give you 10 hours usage for free just for signing up, and if you don't like it you can cancel your account and owe nothing at all.
* America Online
Voice: (800) 827-6364
Thomas Chamberlain is a 17 year old Student who is currently using CompuServe, America Online and Prodigy (and who has tried The Microsoft Network but will deny it if you ask) He's a member of Team OS/2 and can usually be found conferencing with his fellow OS/2 users in the America Online OS/2 Forum.

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