Re: AOL for Apple II

[cturley2@aol.com (Cturley2)]

Supertimer wrote: ...
"The question is why did they continue to let GeoWorks users sign on but not A2
users given the fact that both AOL softwares were similarly feature sets?  My
impression is that they deactivated A2 logons but not GeoWorks ones because
GeoWorks ran on PCs.  

The users were potential customers for Windows AOL if they upgraded their PCs
and operating systems. Just a thought.

I think they could have just left the A2 users alone, though.  No harm in
letting them sign on.  Many also later owned Macs and PCs, so it would have
made better business."

And, I reply:  I agree with 99% of the above conclusions of Supertimer.  But,
when I 
spoke with the 'powers-that-be' from AOL, two years ago --- (when arranging to
transfer all AOL A2 archives, graphics, text and other A2 forum contents to the
Apple2 Ground ftp site for public access by all) --- about why they couldn't
just reactivate the last version of Apple II/IIgs AOL access software, to allow
those without a Mac or a PC - to have access to AOL, they replied that their
equipment and their access systems were set up in such a way that after any
version of any AOL access software
for any platform is deactivated from access use - for any reason, it was
imposible
to reactivate such AOL access software, without completely redesigning and
re-programming their equipment and their access systems.

(1) Supertimer - you (and a GREAT MANY others) now use a PC to access AOL.

(2) I (and a GREAT MANY others) now use a Mac to access AOL.

(3) Other than the activity with the monthly A2 Forum Chat, you have again
stimulated, NOTHING NEW has been added to the AOL A2 Forum area.

(4) All files, transcripts, text information files and A2 Forum archives 
are now available to the entire world via our Apple 2 (FTP/HTTP) Ground
site in the Collections folder.

(5) IMHO, AOL lost no subscribers (that they wouldn't have lost anyway) when
they made the decision to deavtivate the Apple II/IIgs access software.

Conclusion: Like it or not - the AOL Apple II/IIgs access software can not 
and will not be reactived to allow access with it to AOL.  You and I and
anybody else around the world, that wants to access AOL with their current 
and active versions of Mac and PC - that has an active account CAN DO SO.

Those that do not have active AOL Mac or PC access software and an active
AOL account, can access and download the AOL A2 Forum contents that are
still available from the Apple2 Ground site - as noted above.

Last time I checked - AOL had around 10 million active clients that could
access all of their online services.  Does any more need be said on this 
matter of Apple II/IIgs only users having access to the AOL Forum contents?

Cheers,
Tom