America Online (OS X) for Mac User Reviews
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"Easy to use but no help for free users of AOL>"
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Pros
Have problems with this but I don't know if it's AOL or Mac.
Cons
Been using this for 20 years and am use to it.
Summary
If you are a new user stay away from AOL. There is no help for the free version.
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"HORRIBLE. IT WILL NOT INSTALL."
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Pros
I DON'T LIKE IT
Cons
I've downloaded AOL countless times on my MacBook Pro with OS X 10.6.2 INTEL AND IT WON'T INSTALL.
Summary
IT SUCKS
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"It's bad..real bad."
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Pros
I don't see any... pros
Cons
It takes probably 4 times to get a connection..No Response From Server the first 4 times. The Browser isn't compatible with several AOL services, and sometimes other webpages, like the core is an outdated Mozilla Browser. Using a different browser Safari, Camino, even FireFox it takes twice as long for pages to load. If a company wants to gain Mac users don't skimp on features or stability. Which is exactly what AOL has done.
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"Garbage software"
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Pros
Some limited usefullness to the web browser. IM client liked by some. Includes some limited news
and video content.
Cons
Very slow, does not support mail saved on PC and other features on os/x. Poor responsiveness of the program is frustrating. I would never use it except my spouse insists and she loves the IM client - I don't understand why, but, that's life!
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"Buggy, slow, insecure, ugly garbage"
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Summary
AOL's OS X client is one of the worst pieces of software I have used on OS X (apart from AOL Communicator). It is slower than even the discontinued IE 5 (and just about as crash-prone) and tends to lock up completely when accessing mail, etc. It has a hideous pseudo-Aqua interface that looks even uglier when placed next to any other OS X browser (maybe with the exception of Opera). Like AOL Communicator, it is also a resource pig. I regularly work with programs like Quark XPRess and the Adobe products, but AOL is one of the few programs that can actually bring my machine (an 867MHz Quicksilver with 1.25 GB RAM) down to a crawl while doing the most mundane things. Additionally, some features (such as personal web space) can't even be accessed because the AOL client is unable to connect to them.
AOL completely disregards OS X's secure design and instead dumps all user data in the Shared folder, where it can be read by ANYONE (I tested this by logging into my computer as a non-administrator and tried opening up stored addresses, etc. for my main account).
I now use Mozilla Camino/Apple Safari (for browsing quickly and elegantly), Adium (not officially endorsed by AOL, but still worth it) and Apple Mail (for cleaning the heaps of spam out of my AOL IMAP mail) and would ditch AOL entirely if other members of my family weren't so dependent on it. AOL makes horrible, horrible software, requires you to use said software to go online, and almost completely ignores OS X users. The only good things I can say about the OS X version are a)you can actually close the AOL Welcome window, b)it doesn't install any spyware (yet) like the Windows version supposedly does, and c)it doesn't boot me off for being inactive (when I'm downloading large program files, OS X updates, etc.). -
"Content and features are worth the price but falls short of AOL for windows"
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Summary
My biggest frustration is that Video and Radio features found in the windows version are not available to mac users. The "My pictures function is not as flexible as the windows version. Synchronization of address and calender is not possible in the MAC OSX version The Aol software for windows doesn't work well in Virtual PC. Bottom line is if you want the full benefit of aol, you still have to use the windows version.
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"AOL in General"
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Summary
I think AOL has it's up and it's downs. To me this version is just like all the others, but just more advanced looking and with more graphics. As with stability, AOL has always had a problem with staying connected, look at the windows computers and AOL 9.0 I still get booted off and the stupid sign on sign says to hold on, while it re-connects. If AOL for OS X is really that bad then why don't people tell AOL, that instead of crying and getting all stupid over it.
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"A step backward"
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Summary
I've been an AOL user since 1995, but I'm ready to jump ship. AOL keeps adding bells and whistles I don't care about, but inexplicably many of its basic functions are more cumbersome. Every hour or two, AOL for os X will crash or have to be force quit. It's more compatible with most java sites, but works worse with some others.
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"worst internet experience ever"
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Summary
i wouldnt recommend aol's browser to anyone. it is by far the worst of the bunch. slow. overpriced. heavy. annoying. do yourself a favor and get out now. you can get dial up online service for 4.95 per month if you look for it and it isnt aol
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"I have AOL _and_ another ISP..."
Version: America Online (OS X) 10.2.1
Summary
You know, sometimes you just can't get online with only one ISP... We have 2 PCs, a flat screen iMac, and webtv -- things happen, the ISP can be tweaking things, whatever... Having a second ISP gives you an option. In our PC/Mac household, AOL is used on all machines. It hasn't let me down. Its browser is often faster than the others I use, too. AOL does have its good points. This version does seem quite stable. If you want a second way to get online, this _might_ be the product for you!
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