My Mom loves her AOL, but was thinking of cancelling as she no longer needs it ; she has a DSL connection. I was going to set her up with a browser and a home page, etc. so she would be comfortable navigating, but I was expecting a LOT of phone calls once AOL was gone. While many hate AOL, it is extremely user friendly to the computer novice. My Mom started using a computer in her late 70's, about 8 years ago!

Anyway, a friend told me today that if you bring your own connection to AOL, i.e. DSL/Cable, AOL is now free. You get all the services except tech support. If you ever spoke to their tech support you know that is no great loss.

I changed my Mom's plan tonight and hope all goes well.

Here's a link if anyone is still using AOL and would like the free account.

If you use dial up at all, this would not apply to you.

free AOL Click on internet connection plans at the top of the page.

 

Thanks for the heads up Lainey, I changed my account today, my soon to be in-laws did as well, so altogether you saved us over $300 a year. Intrestingly, my stepfather who still works for AOL-TW failed to mention it to me, hmmmmm.

 

thanks for that info. that is a big help.

 

Glad to help folks.

 

Thanks , I relayed it to a friend that has had AOL for yrs. and just the day before you posted this had cancelled her account. She now has the free plan and her old E-mail address back.

 

Although this AOL discussion doesn't apply to me, the concept of separate hardware (internet connection) and software (internet service provider) is something that I've done for years. Because I pay for both, it's been more expensive than a single provider would have been. But the flexibility and expertise (my ISP knows its stuff, in particular) has been worth it.

This AOL business sounds like the best of both worlds in the sense that you don't have to pay double. That, of course, assumes you're comfortable with AOL software. As I have no experience with it, I can't really comment. But I do have a lot of coasters made from their free CDs. HPH

 

I use AOL for email, IM, etc, even though I have a different DSL. It costs me $9.95 a month, which was reduced from $14.95 a month when they went into "some things for free" mode. I can live with that. My DSL costs me $19.95 a month, which is very reasonable. This is for the +1's desktop (wired) and my laptop (wireless).

 

Deb, those items are now free to anyone. Why pay for them? The friend who told me about this switched over at Christmas and has seen no changes. She uses the AOL software as before, but, as with anyone who has DSL the DSL is the connection.

 

OK...I'll check that out again. Thanks.

 

I've had aol for years and years and years. I went to the free aol as soon as it became available and see no difference. I only use it for e-mail and gave my mother a screenname, etc. under my account when she started using a computer. If you have your own ISP, it is a completely free service. I kept aol after I went to a cable connection for my daughter and mom's use.