AOL 6.0 not what some customers expected, Part 2 of 2

Complaints and comments about AOL 6.0 are still coming in. Here are some additional reactions to the software upgrade.

Clint Tatro, with the U.S. Navy in San Diego, writes:

"Enjoyed the article on the AOL 6.0 upgrade problems [AOL 6.0 wreaks havoc with some PCs, Network World Fusion, 10/31/00]. Interesting that while and after installing the upgrade on [two] different PCs, one with a cable modem (RoadRunner) and one with strictly a dial-up connection (AT&T/AOL), I did not experience any of the problems discussed in the article. The cable connected PC is running a full up new install of [Windows Millennium Edition] and the dial-up is running (getting pretty tired of being upgraded) [Windows] 98SE. I have [Windows 2000] dual-booted on the Win98SE PC and AOL 6.0 seems to work fine with [Windows 2000} as well. I say it's 'interesting' because it seems when it comes to upgrades like this I am usually in the 'revert to old version' camp because of problems as you discussed in the article!

My biggest comment /complaint /big disappointment with AOL 6.0 is that, while they added sorting to the e-mail's inbox, the Personal Filing Cabinet is still pretty clunky compared to using Outlook Express or Outlook 2000. Perhaps there are a number of users disappointed with the extent of the improvements and changes to AOL 6.0."

A non-AOL network manager writes:

"We have asked our employees to not install AOL on their laptops. Whenever we have network or performance issues, the first question we ask, 'Do you have AOL?' (Of course the next question is 'Do you have Napster?' but that is a whole other issue.) And the little poltergeist, Instant Messenger, just TRY to get rid of him! The uninstall file is EMPTY, just a shell. And if you delete the files, they come back!"

A non-AOL happy Internet user writes:

"I have a local dial-up provider and [Pacific Bell's] DSL service and both work great. Why bother with AOL? 1.I don't want to help create another monopoly. 2. I am sick of the new Netscape Navigators bundling in Instant Messenger with the Communicator package, sounds like the Microsoft Windows 95 Internet Explorer game all aver again. I'll keep promoting the underdogs that don't get too big for their own (or customers') good."

And as I mentioned last time, AOL does have some happy customers:

"I downloaded AOL 6.0 a week ago. And I must say it works better with my computer. I upgraded to Windows [Millennium Edition] a month or so ago. After the upgrade I had a hard time getting online with AOL 5.0. I would go through at least [four or five] access numbers. After downloading AOL 6.0 I get right online and my computer seems to run better. AOL 6.0 definitely runs better with Windows ME. I haven't had any trouble since the download."

And one more:

"I have AOL 6.0 and a cable modem connection (AT&T Broadband). I upgraded to AOL 6.0 last week, and have not noticed any problems. I never had problems with Version 5.0. So, my guess is that this does not affect all users with cable modems."

Denise Pappalardo is a senior editor for Network World, covering ISPs, VPNs and related topics. Reach her at denisep@nww.com.

Internet Services archive
Past newsletters.

AOL 6.0 wreaks havoc with some PCs
Network World Fusion, 10/31/00

A first look at AOL 6
PC World, 10/25/00